Minutes of the
Environmental Management Program
Coordinating Committee
August 6, 2008
Quarterly Meeting
Radisson Hotel
Charles Barton of the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. on
August 6, 2008. Other EMP-CC
representatives present were Charlie Wooley (USFWS), Mike Jawson (USGS),
Rick Mollahan (IL DNR), Martin Konrad (IA DNR), Tim Schlagenhaft (MN DNR),
Janet Sternburg (MO DoC), Gretchen Benjamin (WI DNR), and Bill Franz
(USEPA). A complete list of attendees
follows these minutes.
Minutes from the May 20, 2008 Meeting
Janet Sternburg requested the
following two corrections be made to the draft minutes of the May 22, 2008
meeting:
Gretchen Benjamin moved and
Martin Konrad seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes of the May 22,
2008 meeting as corrected. The motion
was approved unanimously.
Program Management
FY 08 Fiscal Update
Marv Hubbell reviewed the
FY 08 EMP appropriation and funding allocation within the program:
§
Total
appropriation — $16.851 million
•
Regional management —
$500,000
•
LTRMP — $5.134 million
•
HREPs — $11.217 million
o
MVP — $3.365 million
o
MVR — $4.487
million
o
MVS — $3.365
million
In
addition, the EMP has received $5.0 million in emergency supplemental funding
to repair flood-related damages. Hubbell
reported that the FY 08 appropriations language restricting new design and
construction, the spring and summer flooding, and staff assignments overseas
and to emergency response work have been significant challenges this year.
Total expenditures for EMP are below typical levels as a result of flooding and
delays in receiving state billings for LTRMP.
As of the 3rd quarter, expenditures were $9.036 million and obligations
were $12.343 million. The rates thru the
3rd quarter are as follows:
|
|
Expenditure Rate |
Obligation Rate |
|
EMP |
31 |
73 |
|
HREP |
30 |
61 |
|
LTRMP |
26 |
87 |
Hubbell reported that many HREP construction projects
have been significantly affected by the spring and summer flooding, with the
Rock Island District experiencing the largest project impacts. Moreover, many of the Corps staff who would
typically have been working on plans and specifications have been diverted to
flood-related duties. As a result, a
large portion of the funds allocated to HREPs in FY 08 will be carried-over
into the next fiscal year.
Since the flood repairs cannot start immediately,
Hubbell is currently evaluating whether there are options to enhance overall
program efficiency by applying a portion of the FY 08 flood repair funds to
year-end contracts and purchases that are high priority, with the understanding
that FY 09 appropriations would be used to “repay” these funds. Options include 1) $500,000 to MVP for Pool 8
Phase III Stage 2B, 2) $400,000 for LiDAR in Pool 25 through the
In response to a question from Tim Schlagenhaft about
the Pool 8 project status, Hubbell verified that construction was planned to
begin next year. Schlagenhaft asked whether
other priorities identified in the LTRMP FY 10-14 Strategic Plan were
considered. Mike Jawson noted that,
while LiDAR is a top priority, it is included as an Administrative APE and is
not guaranteed funding in FY 09. Hubbell
added that LiDAR presents the best opportunity among Strategic Plan priorities
to advance with year-end funds, based on a range of criteria, including the
ability to award the contract quickly.
Martin Konrad asked if LiDAR acquisition would be completed for the
entire UMRS. Hubbell said that it would
cover approximately two-thirds of the system, but that some of Pools 1-7 and
the
Jennie Sauer expressed support for purchasing a
digital camera. She said the camera
currently being used is becoming out-of-date and is no longer
cost-effective. In particular, the film
is becoming very difficult to find. A
digital camera can produce color and infrared images simultaneously and can
georeference those images. In
partnership with the USFWS, the total cost of $650,000 to purchase the camera
would be equally shared. Under this
arrangement, the USFWS would also provide flights in FY 10 to capture
systemic LC/LU imagery.
Schlagenhaft asked if the proposed budget adjustments
would take away from other priorities.
Hubbell explained that funds received to reconstruct
Schlagenhaft asked how the Corps would like the EMP-CC
to provide input or make a recommendation.
Hubbell said that the Corps is hoping to get a sense from EMP-CC of the
partnership’s relative priorities among the possible options, particularly
between LiDAR and the digital camera.
The Corps will then consult internally, and with USGS and the Service,
to explore these various alternatives further.
Charlie Wooley emphasized that purchasing a digital
camera would be a long term investment in future assessment and
monitoring. The camera currently being
used is quickly becoming obsolete. Also,
the opportunity to use a Service pilot and aircraft would increase efficiency,
and may not be an option in later years.
In response to a question from Janet Sternberg, Wooley said the USFWS
does not have available funding this year to cover the camera. However, the Service plans to seek
supplemental funding from Congress for the digital camera since it is a high
priority for Region 3.
Jawson further explained that the Service’s pilot and
aircraft contribution would represent a significant cost savings. If the camera is not purchased and the LC/LU
flights need to be delayed past FY 10, that labor contribution may not be
available. That would represent a
substantial cost increase to the LTRMP in obtaining the imagery needed to
develop the LC/LU coverage. Gary Wege
asked if USGS has the software capable of processing the digital images, and
Jawson said UMESC has Feature Analyst Software, which will significantly reduce
personnel costs in processing the images, when compared with previous years.
To help EMP-CC members provide input, Barb Naramore
asked the Corps to identify a bottomline FY 09 appropriation figure, below
which the EMP would have trouble repaying the flood repair funds, assuming $1
million is advanced to FY 08 priorities.
Hubbell explained that an appropriation of $17.5 million would be
the lower limit. Below this level, an FY
08 investment in LiDAR or a digital camera could significantly affect the FY 09
program.
According to Hubbell, this is an opportunity to be
forward looking and effectively invest in the future rather than simply letting
the money roll over into next year.
Brian Markert said that a gap in LiDAR data exists that, if filled, can
be used immediately in project planning and would lead to potential cost
savings. In light of Markert’s comment,
Sternburg requested that the agenda be modified to move the presentation on the
draft LiDAR Plan to the next item and then return to the remainder of the
program management discussion.
Long Term
Resource Monitoring Program
Draft LiDAR
Acquisition Plan Update
Karen Hagerty presented an update on the Corp’s draft
LiDAR Data Acquisition Plan to complete ongoing efforts for Pools 8-24 and to
produce data for Pools 25 to the
The total cost to acquire LiDAR for the UMRS is
estimated at approximately $1 million.
Cost estimates are about $300,000 to complete Pools 8-24 and $700,000 to
initiate and complete Pool 25 to the
In an effort to avoid duplication
and reduce costs, Hagerty said the Corps is working to establish and enhance
its coordination with other federal, state, and local government agencies that
already have, or are planning to, acquire LiDAR data. The Corps is communicating with USGS liaisons
in each of the five UMR states to discuss potential opportunities for
coordination. Janet Sternberg asked
about opportunities to cost-share with states on their initiatives. Haggerty said that a conference call is
scheduled for August 26, 2008 to discuss this.
Marv Hubbell added that, while there are several potential partners, the
ability to collaborate in a comprehensive and timely manner is a major
challenge. In response to a question
from Tim Schlagenhaft, Brian Market characterized the pending LiDAR coverage as
critical to MVS’s project planning.
Program
Management (continued)
Bill Franz asked whether there is a possibility to
delay the project on Pool 8. Don Powell
reported that the St. Paul District is trying to award the last options on the
contract. The deadline for exercising
those options has expired, and MVP is now working with the contractor to
negotiate a new price and timeframe.
Since the equipment is already in place, it would be more efficient to
exercise the options in FY 08, rather than paying to remobilize the equipment
at a later date. Marv Hubbell added that
completion of Pool 8 is a priority, as reflected by its inclusion in the
states’ EMP Phase-Out Plan.
Mike Jawson said instead of doing equipment
refreshment, funding could be put towards acquiring LiDAR and committing to a
lease-to-buy agreement for the digital camera.
Sternberg emphasized the importance of LiDAR data to aid HREP
development and for river planning — e.g., forest floodplain restoration and
hydrogeomorphic planning.
In an effort to summarize the discussion, Hubbell
reviewed the main advantages of each option and expressed gratitude for the
input. The Corps, USFWS, and USGS will
explore the options further and will report back to the EMP-CC at the November
meeting. Schlagenhaft urged that the
LTRMP Strategic Plan be used to inform decisions about relative
priorities. Barb Naramore said she
appreciates the desire to advance program priorities and be efficient. However, given the past history of funding
for EMP and the FY 08 appropriations level, she said it is important to be
cautious in making assumptions about next year’s EMP funding.
FY 09 Outlook
Hubbell reported that the President’s FY 09 budget
request included $20 million for EMP.
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $18 million for
EMP. While the House Appropriations
Committee has not yet filed its FY 09 energy and water development report, it
is believed the Committee will include $20 million for EMP. Although the actual appropriation is unknown,
the Corps is assuming $20 million for planning purposes.
In response to comments by Mike Wells, Hubbell agreed
that it is highly unlikely Congress and the Administration will complete work
on the individual appropriations bills before the start of the federal fiscal
year on October 1. According to Hubbell,
a continuing resolution will likely be enacted, possibly followed by an omnibus
measure for the balance of the fiscal year.
Roger Perk said it is quite possible the EMP will be operating at FY 08
funding levels for a large part, or all, of FY 09.
Public Involvement and Outreach
Hubbell reported that the
Corps is continuing to work with
Hubbell said that an
Don Powell highlighted
outreach efforts on the Pool 8 HREP, including news releases, a public
information meeting, and a media day.
The media day was held at the construction site. It was well attended and resulted in good
coverage by local news outlets.
Gretchen Benjamin mentioned
that the Wisconsin DNR, Iowa DNR, and USFWS held their annual teacher workshop
recently. This year the workshop
discussed restoration activities to enhance the river, specifically
highlighting the EMP. Benjamin and
Powell also reported that the Corps used the Pool 8 project for a recent
national ecosystem restoration class, geared primarily to Corps students.
Don Hultman said the USFWS
Director and Regional Directors are meeting this week in
Hubbell mentioned that USACE
planning associates from throughout the country visited the Lake Chautauqua
HREP on the
Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Projects
District HREP Reports
Marv Hubbell announced that
Don Powell will be retiring on September 2.
Tom Novack will become MVP’s new HREP manager. Hubbell recognized Powell as an integral part
of the EMP’s success. Barb Naramore
expressed the states’ appreciation for Powell’s leadership, creativity, and
commitment to finding solutions since the EMP’s inception in 1986. Gretchen Benjamin described Powell as key to
the EMP’s visibility and viability, noting that he is held in the greatest
esteem by those in Wisconsin DNR. Tim
Schlagenhaft expressed appreciation for Powell’s commitment to involving all
partners in the program.
Powell reported that MVP is
continuing efforts on the Pool 8 Islands project, with Phase III Stage 2A
slated for completion later this month.
He added that MVP would like to complete Stage 2B this year, but that
work (i.e., placing fill for islands) is not scheduled. The District recently awarded the dredging
contract for
Brian Markert explained that
MVS has reallocated funds freed up due to flood-related delays and is putting
that money toward the previously reported repairs on completed work needed at
Batchtown. As a result, MVS is no longer
facing the HREP funding shortfall it had anticipated during FY 08. Planning work continues for Pools 25/26 and Ted
Shanks.
HREP Showcase —
Marv Hubbell explained that the Lake Odessa HREP is in
a 6,788-acre site located at the confluence of the
The HREP project includes construction of perimeter
levees in order to decrease sedimentation, reduce flood damage by equalizing pressure
on the levee sides, and enhance the overall ecosystem quality. Dredging in the project area has been used to
improve depths and contribute materials for the levee work. Since the project is on General Plan lands,
the project is 100 percent federally funded.
The estimated cost is approximately $11-13 million.
Project goals are to reduce forest fragmentation,
increase bottomland hardwood diversity, enhance migratory bird habitat, restore
sand prairie, increase habitat for overwintering fish, provide safe areas for
“developing” fish, protect habitat features, and protect archeological
sites. More specifically, Roger Perk
added that restoration of the perimeter levees and construction of a spillway
and wing dams are intended to reduce damages from floods by 1) allowing flood
waters to fill the refuge before overtopping the levee, and 2) controlling the
rate at which water flows from the site as floods recede.
Hubbell noted that the
Due
to the flood damages, project construction has been delayed while the Corps
assesses damages, meets with the project sponsors to re-evaluate how to better
manage outflows, and estimates repair costs.
Options for managing outflows may include armoring exit points along the
levee to protect cultural resource sites and mixing sand with fines to promote
vegetation.
Charlie
Wooley highlighted the impressive working relationships among the agencies and
disciplines that he observed during his recent visit to the Port Louisa
National Wildlife Refuge.
Long Term Resource Monitoring
Program
FY 08 Program Update
Mike
Jawson noted that the LTRMP field stations received the Department of the
Interior’s Customer Service Excellence Award.
The award was presented at the field stations’ June meeting in
Jawson
reported that the LTRMP products highlights for the 3rd quarter of FY 08
include the following two recently released APE completion reports:
In an effort to increase the usability of completion
reports that are typically fairly technical and dense, Jawson proposed LTRMP
create one-page fact sheets that highlight major findings to better inform the
public and managers. He noted that the
Jawson introduced Nathan DeJager, who was recently
hired as LTRMP’s Landscape Ecologist.
DeJager encouraged program partners to communicate with him regarding
their priorities for analyses.
Jawson updated the status of the APE proposals. The call for Letters of Intent went out in
late May, and the submission deadline for those letters was in mid-July. UMESC received 27 Letters of Intent. USGS, USACE, and the A-Team are currently in
the process of selecting those letters for which full proposals will be
invited. The proposals will be due in
October.
Pending
Information Access and Issues
Sauer reviewed the existing methods of accessing LTRMP
information, and outlined the following enhancement options:
Sauer noted that Outcome 4 in the FY 10-14 LTRMP
Strategic Plan addresses the need to provide decision makers with targeted,
easily accessible, and usable information regarding the UMRS ecosystem.
Tim Schlagenhaft expressed his appreciation for the
efforts put forth by USGS. Gretchen
Benjamin concurred, and recommended also developing a record of questions posed
in APE proposals that were deferred or dismissed. Jawson noted that the Component Specialists
receive frequent queries, and asked whether posting these questions and the specialists’
responses would be helpful. Benjamin
encouraged development of such a database, which she said would help avoid
expending program resources on duplicative queries over time.
Janet Sternburg asked whether there will be a
mechanism for releasing completion reports that are not developed into
manuscripts. Barry Johnson added that
less than 50 percent of completion reports are accepted for journal
publication. Jawson and Sauer explained
that there may be copyright issues, and said the author(s) would need to
approve broader release. Barb Naramore
suggested creating a centralized point of access, rather than listing contact
information for each individual author.
This would enhance customer service and reduce the burden on authors,
while ensuring that any issues surrounding release of a particular report are
addressed by the program and the author(s).
Sauer said UMESC is working to develop such a system.
A-Team Report
Sternburg reported on the
A-Team’s conference call on August 1, 2008.
The Team’s recent efforts include:
In response to a question from Benjamin, Sternburg
said the A-Team intends to include people who have been working on EMAP in its
discussions. Schlagenhaft said the Lake
Pepin TMDL is incorporating biological indicators and suggested the October
meeting have a broader scope. Sternburg
acknowledged the multiple contexts in which indicators are being discussed, but
said the A-Team is limited in what it can do in terms of coordination prior to
October. Walt Popp asked Sternburg
whether the A-Team’s approach will be at a systemic level or more
specific. Sternburg replied that the
A-Team will need to discuss this further and make sure other efforts are
engaged. Schlagenhaft suggested
discussing the coordination of various work being done on biological indicators
during the Joint Session meeting.
APE Project Showcase —
Approaches to Analyses of LTRMP Data
Barry Johnson presented an overview of the LTRMP
monitoring data and the types of statistical analyses it will support. According to Johnson, the observational
monitoring data can be used to assess trends, cycles, status, correlations
among variables, and comparisons among areas.
They also have utility in generating hypotheses, providing baseline
data, revealing seasonal dynamics, documenting occurrence and distribution,
contributing to Clean Water Act assessments, assessing the effectiveness of
methods, exploring the effect of certain management actions, and modeling and
assessing indices of biological integrity.
However, Johnson emphasized that determining cause and
effect typically requires a focused study, with additional experimentation and
sampling. Johnson described the need to
balance focused research (e.g., small scale experiments and evaluation of
management actions) with annual monitoring to address a broad array of
questions, including unknown future questions.
He added that development of an operational plan for FY 10-14 presents
an opportunity to identify the analyses the partnership wants done and determine
what data are needed to support those analyses.
Draft
Bathymetry Acquisition Plan Update
Karen Hagerty gave an update on the status of the
Draft Bathymetric Acquisition Plan, under which a system-wide coverage would be
completed. The plan will include the
current coverage status, priority areas for data collection, data standards,
acquisition plans, and estimated funding requirements. Hagerty also briefly reviewed the status of
bathymetric data on the UMRS, some of which is currently served on the UMESC
web site. Hagerty said she hopes to have
a draft plan available to discuss at the EMP-CC’s November 2008 meeting.
Sternburg asked what funding sources have supported
the bathymetric data collection to-date.
Hagerty explained that NESP paid for Pool 18, Section 519 funded Starved
Rock, and the Corps’ O&M program has funded a considerable portion of the
currently available data. Hagerty
explained that the remaining cost to EMP depends in part on how quickly the
partners want the systemic coverage completed, noting that, eventually, other
programs will likely gather the remaining data.
FY 10-14
LTRMP Strategic Plan
Hubbell, Jawson, and Naramore acknowledged the efforts
of the EMP-CC and the Strategic Planning Team and described process of developing
the draft FY 10-14 LTRMP Strategic Plan as productive, and inclusive. Hubbell emphasized that the Strategic Plan
presents an important opportunity to be forward-looking while building off of
the program’s history.
Hubbell conveyed the Strategic Planning Team’s
unanimous recommendation that the EMP-CC endorse the Strategic Plan, with the
understanding that an operational plan for the same 5-year period remains to be
developed. Schlagenhaft moved and
Benjamin seconded a motion for the EMP-CC to endorse the FY 10-14 LTRMP
Strategic Plan, as well as the development of a follow-on operational
plan. The motion carried unanimously.
LTRMP
Operational Plan
Hubbell explained that an operational plan will link
the Strategic Plan with LTRMP annual work plans. A small work group will be tasked with
scoping and drafting a plan for review by the full Strategic Planning
Team. The process of developing an
operational plan will begin in October 2008, with a target of having the plan
ready for the EMP-CC’s consideration at its May 2009 meeting. Hubbell anticipates it will require a three
meeting sequence.
Jawson said much of the operational planning process
will revolve around determining relative priorities under different funding
scenarios. Possible differences in these
priorities depending on which program (i.e., NESP or EMP) the LTRMP is
operating under will also need to be considered, according to Jawson. He emphasized the operational plan’s utility
in guiding decisions about the allocation of annual appropriations in FY 10-14.
Other
Business
Barb Naramore announced that the upcoming quarterly
meetings are scheduled as follows:
·
November 2008
– Quad Cities
o
UMRBA — November 18
o
NECC/ECC — November 19
o
Joint EMP-CC
and NECC — afternoon of November 19
o
EMP-CC —
November 20
·
February 2009
–
o
UMRBA — February 17
o
EMP-CC —
February 18
o
Joint EMP-CC
and RAP (or NECC) — afternoon of February 18 (if needed)
o
RAP (or NECC/ECC) — February 19
·
May 2009 –
o
UMRBA — May 19
o
RAP (or NECC/ECC) — May 20
o
Joint EMP-CC
and RAP (or NECC) — afternoon of May 20 (if needed)
o
EMP-CC — May
21
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at
11:45 p.m.
EMP-CC Attendance List
August 6, 2008
EMP-CC
Members
|
Charles Barton |
|
|
Charlie Wooley |
|
|
Mike Jawson |
|
|
Rick Mollahan |
Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
|
Martin Konrad |
Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
|
Tim Schlagenhaft |
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
|
Janet Sternburg |
Missouri Department of Conservation |
|
Gretchen Benjamin |
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
|
Bill Franz |
|
Others in
Attendance
|
Terry Smith |
|
|
Terry Birkenstock |
|
|
Don Powell |
|
|
Jeff DeZellar |
|
|
Rebecca S. Soileau |
|
|
|
|
|
Roger Perk |
|
|
Marvin Hubbell |
|
|
Ken Barr |
|
|
Karen Hagerty |
|
|
Brian Markert |
|
|
Gary Wege |
|
|
Loyd Mitchell |
|
|
Jon Duyvejonck |
|
|
Don Hultman |
|
|
Rick Frietsche |
|
|
Sharonne Baylor |
|
|
Scott Yess |
|
|
Barry Johnson |
|
|
Nathan DeJager |
|
|
Bernard Schonhoff |
Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
|
John Fleig |
Iowa Department of Transportation |
|
Mike Wells |
Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
|
Dru Buntin |
Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
|
Walt Popp |
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
|
Jim Fischer |
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
|
Terry Dukerschein |
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
|
Marc Miller |
Illinois Lieutenant Governor’s Office |
|
John Barko |
NESP Science Panel Chair |
|
Tom Boland |
MACTEC |
|
Max Starbuck |
National Corn Growers Association |
|
Vince Shay |
The Nature Conservancy |
|
Gabe Horner |
The Nature Conservancy |
|
Doug Blodgett |
The Nature Conservancy |
|
Brad Walker |
Prairie Rivers Network |
|
Christine Favilla |
Sierra Club - |
|
Barb Naramore |
|
|
Dave Hokanson |
|
|
Kirsten Mickelsen |
|