Watershed Structure Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Responsibilities Diane A. Guthrie, P.E. August, 2015.

Watershed Structure Operation & Maintenance (O&M)

Responsibilities

Diane A. Guthrie, P.E.August, 2015

Helping People Help the Land


Since 1947 – a $6 Billion investment

Flood Control Act of 1944 (P.L. 78-534)

Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (P.L. 83-566)

USDA Watershed Program

NRCS has assistedcommunities build more than 11,000 dams in 2000 Watershed Projects in 47 Statessince 1948


PL-566 Watershed Structure


Alabama Structures

In Alabama - over 100 Dams have been built (Flood Water Retarding Structures)

Flood control + some M&I

Most constructed on private property; some on US Forest Service Land

O&M by sponsors (local government)

Why are we here today?

AD-435A

PERFORMANCE ELEMENT 01 - MISSION RESULTS (CRITICAL)“Executes policy requirements contained in the National Operations and Maintenance Manual regarding dam safety which includes the written notification of Sponsors and the State Dam Safety Officer for violations of the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) agreement including changes in hazard classification of all project dams.”

Why are we here today?

AD-435A

PERFORMANCE ELEMENT 01 -

MISSION RESULTS (CRITICAL)Element Rating

Exceeds Fully Successful Does not meet


Why are we here? To help prevent a catastrophe.


Issues

Aging Infrastructure

Adequate O&M is lacking on many sites

Hazard class changes

Watershed Program Dams

More than 11,000 dams in the U.S.

$14 Billion infrastructure


1999 NRCS Oversight and Evaluation (O&E) Review

1/3rd of the dams showed deterioration that could lead to dam failure.

No one was reviewing Hazard Classification


Follow-up Oversight & Evaluation Review in 2006

67% of structures did not have adequate O&M (6 states were reviewed)

Lack of O&M increases safety Hazard and potential for Loss of Life

NRCS is not holding the Sponsors accountable for violations of O&M agreements

Problems Identified:

O&M Agreements and O&M Plans are not being reviewed and updated

Sponsors not carrying out O&M responsibilities

Lack of oversight and follow-up by NRCS

Inadequate training

NRCS Action for FY2015

State Conservationists will determine status of compliance with O&M Agreement on every project dam

Will notify sponsors of O&M violations

Verify that the dam hazard classification is accurate, per the cycle as defined in policy

National O&M Manual

The O&M Agreement is the corner-stone of the

NRCS-sponsor relationship after the dam is built.

We will be reviewing Part 500, Subpart A-Overview & Responsibilities

&Subpart C- Operation and Maintenance Agreement

Agreements & Plans

Both are required for NRCS assisted Watershed StructuresThe Plan is more specific than the AgreementThe Plan may be incorporated into the O&M agreementSome watershed projects have 2 documents, some have just the O&M Agreement

State Conservationist

Dam Responsibilities(Dam O&M)


State Conservationists shall:

Develop State policies and procedures to ensure that O&M requirements are planned and implemented for all practices installed with NRCS assistance Establish policy to investigate and take action on all suspected violations of O&M requirements Determine the amount of NRCS resources that will be made available to assist sponsors/land users with O&M activities Actively pursue correction of all violations of O&M requirements; consult with the Office of General Counsel before pursuing legal remedies Notify appropriate authorities of emergency situations that may result in risks to public health and safety as described in 500.14

District Conservationist



District Conservationists shall:

Ensure that sponsor/land users are provided information on O&M requirements for all practices installed with NRCS assistance;Provide assistance to sponsors/land users for requested training, site-specific O&M recommendations, financial needs for O&M, and O&M inspections, in accordance with the policies established by the State Conservationist;Report suspected O&M violations according to policy and procedures;Review O&M Agreements with sponsors at least once every 5 years; andMaintain O&M records for NRCS assisted practices, as required by specific programs.

Sponsors


Public Law-83-566

“Sponsors are responsible for financing and performing without cost to the Federal Government, needed operation and maintenance of project measures installed with Federal financial assistance.”


Operation & Maintenance Required by Sponsors

Insure the dam functions in the manner it was designed

Inspect the dam at least annually and after every major storm event

Prepare a report for each inspection and provide a copy to NRCS

Keep a record of all maintenance performed


Maintenance Includes:

Fertilize and mow vegetation on embankments and spillways



Herbicide treatment





Remove & dispose of debris




Repair fences and gates



Refill, smooth and vegetate erosion on embankments, spillways, and drainage ways




Insuring Structural Integrity of Principal Spillway



Repair damaged plunge basins



Ensuring Structural Integrity of the Emergency Spillway



Ensuring Structural Integrity of the Emergency Spillway Exit


NRCS actions this year

Evaluate each dam for compliance with the O&M agreement

Where non-compliant, notify Sponsor in writing and request that they make the necessary repairs that will ensure that the structure is safe



New policy supplement in the NEM: NRCS will review the O&M Agreement with the sponsor during the same year in which the 5 year O&M Inspection is scheduled.

O&M Agreements will be amended to include all necessary information in accordance with NOMM 500.21 – start with the two missing Agreements and those undergoing 5 year O&M Inspections this FY



All hazard classifications older than 5 years will be re-evaluated by an NRCS Engineer

State Conservationist will notify a Sponsor in writing of any hazard classification changes

If hazard classification changes to “High”, the State Conservationist will notify the Sponsor in writing that an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) needs to be developed


An EAP is needed for this High Hazard Site



The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.


Typical Planning Process Scenarios

• No Action (Controlled Breach by SLO)

• Decommissioning of Dam (Controlled Breach by NRCS)

• Relocation of Properties at Risk, Repair Dam

• Dam Rehabilitation – several alternatives


No Action

• Without federal funding and/or sufficient local funding, rehabilitation will not be viable.

• To reduce liability and eliminate the potential hazard of dam failure, a controlled breach measure will be implemented. The stream channel will bereconnected. Minimal effort will be madeto stabilize sediment.


No Action (cont.)

• The structure will no longer provide protection or flood damage reduction benefits for any level of storm event.

• Contingency plans for catastrophic storm events will need to be developed and implemented downstream.


No Action (cont.)

• Additional work to downstream infrastructure (roads and bridges) may be needed due to increased flooding.

• Upstream property values may be negatively affected.


Decommissioning of Dam

• The footprint of the dam and spillway will be removed. The stream channel will be reconnected.

• Sediment may need to be stabilized by a grade stabilization structure or other means.

• Upstream property values may be negatively affected.


Decommissioning of Dam(cont.)

• No flood damage reduction or protection will be provided. Contingency plans for catastrophic storm events will need to be developed and implemented downstream.

• Additional work to downstream infrastructure (roads and bridges) may be needed due to increased flooding.


Relocation of properties at risk,repair dam

• The dam will not be rehabilitated, but may be repaired and operation & maintenance of the structure will continue.

• Residences, utilities, roads, and railroads within the breach inundation area downstream of the dam may need to be altered or relocated.


Relocation of properties atrisk, repair dam (cont.)

• Measures should be taken to insure that the dam will remain at a low hazard classification and future downstream development limited and/or restricted.


Dam Rehabilitation

• Update dam to current NRCS and state criteria for a high hazard dam, or initiate zoning requirements to maintain low hazard classification.

• Maintain upstream property values.

• Aesthetic value will remain.

• Retain existing benefits and protection.


Dam RehabilitationAlternatives May Include

• Raising top of dam.

• Installing additional principal spillway pipe.

• Additional earthen auxiliary spillway or hardened surface auxiliary spillway.

• Installing a downstream impact basin.

• Installing hooded inlet structure.

Watershed Structure Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Responsibilities Diane A. Guthrie, P.E. August, 2015.

Documents

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om plans

maintenance om agreement

policynational om manual

meethelping people

infrastructurehelping

nrcs oversight