July-August 2011 • Vol 103 • Number 672
S O C I E T Y O F A M E R I C A N M I L I TA R Y E N G I N E E R S
MAIN THEME: WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT 54 INSERT: SAME 2011-2015 STRATEGIC PLAN
45
LEADER PROFILE: TERRY G. EDWARDS AFCEE DIRECTOR 50
OUR GREATEST
RESOURCE AND ONE OF OUR GREATEST ENGINEERING CHALLENGES
Charlie Fresolone, Project Manager, Conti
“An amazing statistic is that 95% of U.S. imports and exports move through our nation’s harbors. Water planning and management deliver real, measurable value, keeping waterways open, saving lives and preventing more than $700 billion in riverine and coastal damages. This program saves almost $6 in damages for each $1 spent.” gallon of fuel
1
carries one ton of cargo...
59 miles BY TRUCK
202BYmiles RAIL
514 miles BY BARGE
Moving goods by water can make real economical and environmental sense. Conti’s work repairing jetties and providing hurricane cleanup to restore dredge spoil placement areas along the Gulf Coast Intercoastal Waterway has been essential to navigation of vital waterways.
The USACE maintains 14,000 miles of levee, over 12,000 miles of inland waterways and over 190 lock sites, vital to flood control. Conti works in the Mississippi Valley region building floodwalls, levees, gates, pump stations and drainage systems. We are helping prevent large-scale storm damage to local residents, property and wildlife. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan may be the largest environmental restoration effort in history. Often thought of as a swamp or wetlands, the Florida Everglades are actually a slow-moving river. CERP projects could save much of the 1.7 billion gallons of water lost daily to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Conti’s Florida operations are dedicated to ecosystem restoration.
ENOUGH POWER TO SERVE MORE THAN
10 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS Hydropower plants convert about 90% of the energy from rainfall and snowmelt into electricity. The plants operated by the Army Corps of Engineers provide 100 billion kilowatt hours annually, enough power to serve more than 10 million households. By their nature, every hydropower project is unique. Each requires innovation and hard earned experience to get the best result for the communities we serve. Conti has decades of expertise in hydropower projects like the repair/upgrade of dam infrastructure assets.
www.conticorp.com
LETTER FROM . . .
GOVE
A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
2011-2012 Focus Areas It is a very special honor and privilege to be your new President. SAME is a team of public- and private-sector engineering leaders focused on the defense of our nation, and I would further describe it as a national asset. I’m particularly honored to follow in this position Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Byers, USAF. We thank him for his leadership of SAME over the past year and for his steadfast commitment to SAME for more than two decades. I also want to thank SAME Executive Director Bob Wolff and the entire headquarters team for their passion and positive impact on our society every day—they truly have enabled SAME to serve the professional and personal growth of its members. As we look toward the future, a strategic planning meeting was held in March with members of the SAME Board of Direction, SAME’s senior leadership and select members of the SAME headquarters staff to chart our course for the coming year. It is apparent that there is great value in continuing our focus on building and operating sustainable installations— clearly this is a vital contribution we can make as a society in support of military engineering and our nation. We will continue to rely on our Sustainability Task Force to facilitate dialogue between the government and industry as we all seek to find innovative and economic solutions for our nation’s energy and natural resource challenges. There are two other focus areas for the coming year that I’d like to mention. The first is joint engineer contingency operations. Our experience in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003 has highlighted the power of the joint engineer force. SAME has been facilitating joint engineer interaction since its inception, and I believe there’s no better forum to enable dialogue between the uniformed services and our industry partners. Over the coming year, I am confident we can continue to make valuable contributions and conduct meaningful dialogue and training. The focus on Joint Engineer Contingency Operations (JECO) has already had a positive impact. SAME has conducted a JECO workshop in New Orleans, La., at the SAME Executive Forum in November 2010, and two follow-on workshops in Doha, Qatar, in March and at the SAME 2011 Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo in May. In addition, SAME has sponsored a Contractors on the Battlefield panel at every session of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Engineer Operations Course for the past three years. I’m confident we can make even greater contributions in the coming year. The other focus area that I ask your support for in the coming year is helping our wounded warriors and the families of our fallen warriors. Since the attacks on our country on Sept. 11, 2001, the four military services have presented at least 500 PurThe Military Engineer • No. 672
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
ple Hearts to engineers wounded in action. The actual number is pretty hard to NEWS pin down, and it could very well beSOCIETY several times that. And as high as this number is, it accounts for only those Purple Hearts presented to members of our engineering community. This is a focus area where I believe we, as a society, are uniquely capable to make a significant contribution. Our wounded warriors are getting the best medical care and treatment in the world, and many of our members are involved in the worldclass facilities that are being built to provide even better support. These are amazing young men and women, and they’re hardwired to serve. All they need is support, and we have the opportunity to provide this in many forms, from financial support for deserving disabled veteran programs to volunteer efforts to support these veterans and their families to helping them find new employment opportunities as they transition back to civilian life. Whether visiting a recovering warrior, helping to build the facilities needed at their homes to aid their recovery, or opening our doors and hiring them to come work for us, we are positioned to make a dramatic difference in their lives. I’m excited about this coming year and what SAME can accomplish, and I believe these three focus areas—providing support to sustainable installations, joint contingency engineer operations and support for our wounded warriors and the families of fallen warriors—will further solidify SAME as an invaluable asset to our nation. Thank you for your trust, confidence and support, and thank you for your selfless service to this great society and to our country. I look forward to serving with each and every one of you. Rear Adm. Christopher J. Mossey, P.E., CEC, USN SAME President, 2011-2012
2011-2012 FOCUS AREAS The SAME Board of Direction has approved the following focus areas:
1.
sustainable installations;
2.
joint contingency engineer operations; and
3.
support to wounded warriors and the families of fallen warriors.
1
LEADER
ENGINE
FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE 54 Coastal Fortifications of New Orleans
The largest civil works project in American history
57
Comprehensive Planning in Flood Risk Management
A model for flood-prone communities
59 Physical Modeling in Coastal Engineering
A time-tested method
61 Charting the Course for Safer Waterways
Vessel-based mobile mapping technology
54
MAIN THEME: WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
Efforts of private companies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other government agencies are underway to strengthen our nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure, flood control, beach erosion control, inland waterway systems, and ports and harbors.
ON THE COVER:
63
Emergency Action Plans
Mitigating the risks of an aging levee system
65 Reducing Water Loss, Improving Efficiencies
Water loss can be both real and apparent
67
Blue River Going Green
69
Oyster Restoration in the Northeast
Sustainable flood control practices Bivalves promote waterway health
USACE photo by Paul Floro
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed the sector gate leafs at Bayou Dupre in April 2011. These are the tallest sector gates in the entire 133-mi Greater New Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System.
71
Life After BRAC in San Antonio
Nearing the end of a four-year, $2 billion program
73 Status Report: The Guam Military Buildup Relocating U.S. Marines from Okinawa
AND I QUOTE ... “We are accomplishing the same construction execution workload with 40 percent fewer people. This challenge makes it imperative that we continue to find efficiencies that can streamline project delivery processes.” TERRY G. EDWARDS, P.E., SES Director, Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment Leader Profile, page
50
The Military Engineer • No. 672
SPECIAL REPORT: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF MEGA-PROJECTS
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INSERT: SAME STRATEGIC PLAN AND 2011-2012 BOARD OF DIRECTION
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN
MILITARY ENGIN
EERS
2011-2015
STRATEGIC PLAN Approved by th e SAME Board of Direction M ay 27, 2011
607 Prince Street
• Alexandria, VA
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3
22314 • 703-549-3 800
EDITORIAL OFFICE 607 Prince Street Alexandria, VA 22314-3117 703-549-3800 plus ext. Fax: 703-548-6153 www.same.org EDITOR IN CHIEF L. Eileen Erickson, APR+M Ext. 140; erickson@same.org EDITOR John M. Nank Ext. 141; jnank@same.org GRAPHIC DESIGNER Natalie L. Kirkpatrick Ext. 142; nkirkpatrick@same.org ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Morgan Hall Ext. 145; mhall@same.org MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Stephanie Satterfield Ext. 144; ssatterfield@same.org WEB MANAGER Josef M. Scarantino Ext. 143; jscarantino@same.org
76
ENGINEERS IN ACTION Flood Fight 2011
EXCLUSIVELY AT TME ONLINE
DEPARTMENTS
Beginning July 25, learn about how an emerging technology is helping water managers comply with increasingly limiting effluent regulations in “Zero Liquid Discharge.”
1 6 20 32 38 78 80 85 91
— by Richard A. Ubaldi, M.SAME, and Mark Owens, P.E.
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Meighan Altwies, M.SAME milnews@same.org
www.same.org/TME
ineer Training t Eng Join
Conference &
Wendi Goldsmith, M.SAME sustainability@same.org
Expo
HIGHLIGHTS
2,400 people A record number SAME Joint 2011 attended the Conference Engineer Training 24-27, 2011, May & Expo, held Texan Hotel and at the Gaylord in Grapevine, Convention Centerannual Texas. The SAME a six-track conference includedexhibit hall, technical program, s, presentation awards and the networking events To Society Ball. annual SAME s from the view presentation photos or Technical tracks to go from the event rg/jetc. www.same.o
E. Lewis (Ed) Link, Ph.D., M.SAME technews@same.org
2011 Joint Engineer
Training Conference
& Expo •
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JETC HIGHLIGHTS
President’s Message Government & Industry News Military News Sustainability News Technology News Executive Director’s Message Society News Small Business News Historical Perspective
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ADVERTISING INDEX
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES MID ATLANTIC/NORTHEAST L. Eileen Erickson, APR+M Ext. 140; erickson@same.org WEST/NORTH CENTRAL Morgan Hall Ext. 145; mhall@same.org SOUTH/SOUTHEAST Beverly Ellis 407-654-5311; Fax -5322 ellispubrp@aol.com REPRINTS Gail Hallman, Sheridan Reprints 717-632-8448, ext. 8175 ghallman@tsp.sheridan.com PUBLISHER Dr. Robert D. Wolff, P.E., F.SAME
4
30 87 7 21 88 11 29 28 90 79 89 C4 13 15 75 86 C2 85 85 89 24
Advanced Valve Technologies AE Works AECOM Aerotek AFG Group AMEC ARCADIS Atkins Bay West Big Ass Fans Bristol Environmental Burns & McDonnell Carlisle SynTec CDM Inc. CH2M Hill CJW Construction Conti Group Continental Mapping CPI Daylighting Inc. Custom Mechanical Systems Corp. Dck North America
42 88 43 9 16 88 33 17 23 12 89 18, 19 53 10 89 87 90 5 34 25 14
Dewberry Dulohery Weeks Eaton ECC Gannett Fleming GTS Technologies Hankins & Anderson HDR HNTB Federal Services ICS Serka Independent Energy JM Eagle John Deere Kalwall Corporation Lindbergh & Associates MacDonald Bedford LLC Macro-Z Technology Michael Baker Corp. MOCA Systems MWH Americas PARSONS
39 90 40 38 36, 42, 44, 83 31 35 26 90 85 87 49 C3 90 90 27 37 86 41 86 2
Perini Management PMSI Pond & Company RS&H SAME Siemens Smith & Wesson Soil Stablization Products Southern Energy Sunworks Superior Solar Tetra Tech The Shaw Group Tidewater Environmental TTI Environmental U.S. GSA Underground Solutions United Infrastructure URS Vista Technology Service Weston Solutions
The Military Engineer (ISSN 0026-3982) is published bi-monthly by the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), 607 Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314-3117; Tel: 703-549-3800; editorial, ext. 141; advertising, ext. 145. © 2011 The Society of American Military Engineers. All rights reserved; reproduction of articles prohibited without written permission. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Va., and at additional mailing offices. Rates: Single copy: Member, $5; Non-member (U.S.), $18; foreign, $30. One-year subscription $88 in the United States and Canada; $168 elsewhere. Two-year subscription $168 in the United States and Canada; $316 elsewhere. Three-year subscription $210 in the United States and Canada; $435 elsewhere. Agency discount available; Air Mail extra. For details go to www.same.org/subscribe. Annual subscription rate for SAME members is $18 and is included in dues. Address Changes: Send mailing label with changes to The Military Engineer Circulation Department, 607 Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314-3117; allow 60 days for change to take affect. Article Submittals: We invite and encourage manuscript submissions for possible inclusion in The Military Engineer. TME editors consider each manuscript on the basis of technical accuracy, usefulness to readers, timeliness and quality of writing. SAME reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. Before submitting an article, please read the Writers’ Guidelines at www.same.org/tme. Submission of an article does not guarantee publication; unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned. Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect official SAME or TME policy unless so stated. Publication of advertisements does not constitute official SAME endorsement of products or services. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Military Engineer Circulation, 607 Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314-3117.
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
Creating Value ...
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Doug Plasencia, P.E., CFM, Vice President, 602.798.7552, or dplasencia@mbakercorp.com Fernando Pasquel, Vice President, 703.317.6219, or fpasquel@mbakercorp.com 1.800.553.1153 • www.mbakercorp.com
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Ashton B. Carter, Ph.D., the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, spoke to the U.S. Air Force Electronic Systems Center workforce May 25 at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., regarding Department of Defense (DOD) budget challenges, efficiency initiatives and their impact. Dr. Carter said the defense budget for the next decade will not be similar to the past 10 years, and implementing efficiencies will be up to everyone. “Supporting the ongoing fight is job one for all of us. Job two is to get the best value for the taxpayer and the warfighter.” During the town hall meeting, Dr. Carter spoke about cutting programs that were performing poorly or weren’t needed. Now, cost savings need to be found in remaining programs, he said. “What we have is what we want and need, and we need to complete them and we need to make that happen ... for not more money every year.” He discussed the points of the “better buying power” guidance he put out in September and also the usage of contract types. Using fixed price incentive firm contracts is “not dogma,” Dr. Carter said. “It applies only if we know what we’re doing, it isn’t going to change and the contractor knows the projected cost and has mastered the process.” He said contracts are business deals with contractors. The contractors should know if they don’t perform, their contract
6
USACE PARTNERS WITH NOAA, USGS TO SUPPORT WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
PENTAGON ACQUISITION CHIEF TALKS “BETTER BUYING POWER”
Compiled by John M. Nank, M.SAME
dies. And those who are performing well should be rewarded. His remarks also highlighted competition, including solesource contracts by comparing them to a marathon runner who is only looking to beat the clock. “The contractor should be looking for follow-on business and reputation,” he said. Knowing what a program’s requirements are is also important for success, Dr. Carter said. There needs to be a rapport between requirements and acquisition, and if acquisition personnel see an opportunity to save money or change the way things are done to improve, they need to ensure they have that relationship with the customer. “Program managers should have a deep understanding of the product,” the he said, while admitting that the systems-engineering capability is not as strong as it should be in the Department of Defense. “I know you are doing a lot with less than you should have.” Dr. Carter made it a point to say the acquisition workforce had been cut too much previously, on both the civilian and military sides, and both he and Air Force Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition David Van Buren would be keeping a close eye on acquisition personnel numbers. “You are a very important part of meeting this national challenge,” he told the audience. (Contributed by Patty Welsh, 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in May signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form an innovative partnership of federal agencies to address America’s growing water resources challenges. Water resources decision makers nationwide require new and more integrated information and services to adapt to the uncertainty of future climate, land-use changes, an aging water delivery infrastructure and an increasing demand on limited resources. These agencies, with complementary missions in water science, observation, prediction and management, have formed this partnership to unify their commitment to address the nation’s water resources information and management needs. To meet this demand for information, the Collaborative Science, Services and Tools to Support Integrated and Adaptive Water Resources Management MOU will facilitate addressing water information needs including the creation of highresolution forecasts of water resources showing where water for drinking, industry and ecosystems will be available. In addition, integrated water information will provide one-stop shopping through a database portal to support stakeholders in managing water resources. The MOU also sets the foundation for other federal agencies and partners to elect to join the collaborative partnership in the future. Terrence (Rock) Salt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., NOAA Administrator, and Marcia McNutt, Ph.D., USGS Director, signed the MOU during a ceremony at Georgetown Waterfront Park, near the Potomac River streamgage in Washington, D.C. “Water resources management will be one of the most significant challenges facing the nation in the 21st century,” said Salt. “This memorandum of understanding is a commitment by our agencies to work together and closely coordinate our efforts in water management to provide The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
MOBILIZING By leveraging our innovative and award-winning expertise in markets such as transportation, facilities, environment, energy and water, AECOM is mobilizing to serve the U.S. military around the world. AECOM delivers technical expertise and management support in design and planning, civil works, environmental remediation, program and construction management, and logistics and base operations. With over 100 years of experience serving the U.S. military, AECOM brings in-depth knowledge to managing large-scale programs, overseeing operations, and providing logistics support. Our complete portfolio of services, combined with a connected global presence that spans every continent, enables AECOM to deliver visionary turnkey solutions to the challenges facing our clients. AECOM’s network of approximately 45,000 employees are united by a shared commitment to creating, enhancing and sustaining the world’s built, natural and social environments. Our work on seven of the largest infrastructure projects on the planet has helped AECOM become the #1 ranked design firm — in the U.S. and globally — by ENR.
www.aecom.com
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the nation with critically-needed water resources information and support for better and smarter water planning and management. The agreement achieves one of our objectives to build a federal partENGINEERS IN ACTION HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE FY2012 SERVICES nership to align programs and capabilities to support the states and stakeholders in smart, collaborative efforts.” The MOU will serve as an umbrella agreement that will allow the participating agencies to coordinate and cooperate in activities to improve water resource services. Cooperative activities in these fields may include, but are not limited to, project plan development; exchange of technical information, tools and services; joint studies; research and development activities of mutual interest; joint educational and communications activities to advance the understanding of water resources planning and management; and exchange visits and work details of individuals sponsored by all agencies who are engaged in water resources projects of mutual interest. The MOU is designed to facilitate the ability of agency scientists, engineers and managers to: work together; achieve mutual goals and leverage resources for sharing information; and plan, develop and implement initiatives in support of integrative and adaptive water resources management. NOAA, USACE and USGS have a long history of collaboration and information sharing. For example, for more than 100 years, the USGS, in collaboration with USACE and 850 other cooperators, has operated a nationwide streamgage network that monitors the water level and flow of the nation’s rivers and streams. The National Weather Service, under NOAA, forecasts flooding using this streamgage data to reduce losses from flood damages. The new agreement will further facilitate earlier and more accurate flood predictions and allow these government agencies to expand river and flood maps showing forecasted spatial extent and depth of flooding, which is only one example of the activities that will support the intent of the agreement. A copy of the MOU is available at www.building-collaboration-for-water.org. (Contributed by USACE, USGS and NOAA) 8
“SPEED-DATING” CONNECTS USACE AND SMALL BUSINESSES
Traditionally, speed-dating sets potential suitors at rows of tables, where paired participants have just a few minutes to exchange pleasantries before being forced to switch tables and repeat the process all over again. Several hundred small business owners encountered a strikingly similar version of traditional speed-dating, called the source connection, during the 10th Annual Veterans and Small Business Training and Outreach Conference in Sparks, Nev., hosted by USACE South Pacific Division and the California Disabled Veterans Business Alliance. Prior to speed-dating, small business owners attended one of 24 breakout sessions and panel discussions led by conference speakers or visited some of the 50 construction-related vendor booths. But the real connections for small business owners occur during the source connection on the last day of the conference. The source connection is a speed-dating opportunity for small business owners to market their products and services to federal agencies, federal prime contractors, or other large businesses. They are asked to come prepared with a one-page capabilities statement and business cards, ready to discuss upcoming contracting opportunities with participating federal agencies, contractors and large businesses. What the small businesses are hoping
for is a second date, a chance to exchange information and hopefully take care of business later on. If all goes well, they end up exchanging not only phone numbers, but North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. “The first thing I typically ask someone is, ‘What is your NAICS code?,’” said Michelle Stratton, USACE Sacramento District Deputy for Small Business. “That way we know right away if their business is compatible with what we typically have to offer.” Stratton said source connections are a fantastic way to place businesses and government contacts together—with matching NAICS codes—that may otherwise have a difficult time doing so, saving everyone time and money for travel, advertising and marketing. “My favorite thing about the conference is meeting all the contractors from the large and small businesses; I listen to their concerns and provide my expertise to help them obtain contracts,” said Denise Garcia, USACE Sacramento District Assistant to the Deputy for Small Business. Stratton and Garcia prefer concluding the conferences with the source connections, and have even come to embrace its speeddating nickname ever since Stratton started the conference 10 years ago. The overall objective for the hundreds of small businesses attending is to get a call-back from one or several of the large businesses The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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or government agencies that may consider contracting with them in the future. “(Using the speed-dating model) is a great way to end the conference after three days of wonderful speakers, educational ENGINEERS IN ACTION HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE FY2012 SERVICES panels and visiting the various vendors’ booths,” said Garcia. “They gain more one-on-one time with all the right people under one roof instead of having to travel around to meet all of them separately.” The USACE South Pacific Division small business program awards $860 million annually to small business in the West through its four districts in San Francisco, Calif., Los Angeles, Calif., Albuquerque, N.M., and Sacramento, Calif. Stratton and Garcia are already looking forward to and planning for next year’s conference. (Contributed by Todd Plain, USACE)
RECOMMENDATIONS TO PRESIDENT, CONGRESS PRIORITIZE BUILDING INDUSTRY CONCERNS
A new report from the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Consultative Council identifies five primary areas of concern regarding the nation’s buildings and infrastructure, and provides recommendations for action. Topics include: Defining High-Performance and Common Metrics; Energy and Water Efficiency; Codes and Standards Adoption and Enforcement; Sustainability; and Education and Training. NIBS enabling legislation established the Consultative Council as an important link among disciplines in the field of building technology. The council engages the leadership of key organizations with the intent of providing findings and recommendations for the advancement of the built environment. The council report represents the collective vision of these leading organizations from across the building community. “Given the many services we ask our buildings and infrastructure to perform, it is essential that the many disciplines and organizations responsible for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of buildings work together to identify overarching needs that can lead to widespread high-performance buildings,” said Ryan Colker, Director of the Consultative Council and Presidential Advisor at
NIBS. “The council’s initial report reflects this collective thinking and has the potential to significantly influence policymakers and the building community.” The council recommendations identify cross-cutting issues essential for reaching building industry goals. Specific recommendations include: • Common definitions to guide measurement and expression of actual performance must be established. • Energy codes and standards should shift from prescriptive requirements towards performance-based provisions aimed at ultimately achieving net-zero energy use. • Investment in energy- and water-related infrastructure is desperately needed and will vastly improve efficiencies and create jobs. • Increased participation by federal, state and local government agencies would yield more uniformity and consistently adopted and understood codes, and increase the effectiveness of model building codes. • At the state and local level, financial and technical resources must be available to ensure code and standard requirements are followed. • Achieving sustainability requires addressing the triple bottom line of economic growth, environmental stewardship and social progress in all building and infrastructure projects. • Public construction should address lifecycle costs and benefits, while accounting, financing, insurance and tax policies should facilitate and promote private investments in sustainable buildings and infrastructure. • Education and training should be aimed at facilitating the entire lifecycle of buildings, from concept to design, construction, commissioning, occupancy, modification/renovation and deconstruction. • Education and training incentive programs should be available to cover all levels and types of businesses and organizations, and should encompass all design, construction, maintenance and operational core competencies. The summary of recommendations appears in the NIBS 2010 Annual Report, The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
LETTER FROM . . .
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which is sent to the president and Congress. To download a copy of the complete Consultative Council report, visit www. nibs.org/cc/Activities. (ContributedHISTORICAL by NIBS) ENGINEERS IN ACTION PERSPECTIVE FY2012 SERVICES
LABOR DEPARTMENT GRANTS TO PROVIDE VETERAN JOB TRAINING
As part of an interagency effort to support America’s veterans, the Department of Labor announced in early June $37 million in grants to provide job training for about 21,000 veterans, many of them homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced the grants, awarded to continue successful programs into their second and third years. Twenty-two grants totaling more than $9 million will provide job training to about 4,000 veterans to help them succeed in civilian careers, according to Labor Department officials. Those funds, provided through the Veterans Workforce Investment Program, emphasize training in jobs related to energy efficiency and renewable energy, modern electric power development and clean vehicles. “Our veterans sacrifice so much for our country, so it is important that we provide assistance to them when they return home from active duty,” Solis said. “These grants will help veterans access the resources they need to find good jobs and build a bright future for themselves and their families.” Solis also announced 122 grants totaling more than $28 million to provide job training to about 17,000 veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. These grants, awarded under the Labor Department’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, include $4.3 million for the Homeless Female Veterans and Veterans with Families Program and $3.9 million for the Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program that helps veterans who have served time in justice facilities. Homeless veterans may receive occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job-search and placement assistance and follow-up services, through the programs. “The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program is recognized as an extraordi12
narily efficient and effective program, and is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on employment of veterans who are homeless,” Solis said. “I am pleased that the department can assist these veterans and their families.” The Labor Department grants are awarded to state and local agencies, boards and nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated through first-year funding their ability to administer effective programs to veterans within their geographic areas, officials said. More information on the Department of Labor’s unemployment and re-employment programs focused on assisting veterans is posted at www.dol.gov/vets. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, USN, has been a staunch advocate of programs to support veterans who have transitioned from military service, and he has recognized the Post-9/11 GI Bill as a big step in helping tens of thousands of veterans get the training and education many seek. But he also called communities a key part of helping combat veterans make a smooth transition following wartime service. “If we can just open up our lens to be inclusive of them as they return home, with that little boost, I really believe they will take off and make a huge difference for the future.” (Contributed by Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service)
PEOPLE
Michael Bagshaw, P.E., CCM, LEED AP, was promoted to Branch Operations Manager, Columbia, Md., MBP. BELL Carol V. Bell was named Director, International Project Development, Tetra Tech. Bob Berglund, RA, was promoted to Vice BERGLUND President, International Markets, Merrick & Co. Capt. Michael Carosotto, P.E., CFM, PMP, USCG (Ret.), was named Senior Consultant, GEI Consultants Inc. The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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Master Chief (SCW) Douglas R. Dickey, USN, became the 15th Force Master Chief Petty Officer of theFY2012 SERVICES ENGINEERS IN ACTION HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Seabees in April. GREEN Brig. Gen. Timothy Green, P.E., USAF, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force. Andy Kirby was MERRIGAN named Senior Project Manager, C.W. Driver. Susan Merrigan, CPSM, was named Director of Business Development, BRPH. MCATEE Joseph P. McAtee, P.E., PLS, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Drexel University Construction Management Advisory Council at the 3rd Annual CMAC Awards Reception.
CONTRACTS, ACQUISITIONS AND RECOGNITION
AMEC announced its acquisition of MACTEC, a leading engineering and environmental services company, for a cash consideration of $280 million. AMEC also announced the rebranding of its Earth & Environmental business unit to Environment & Infrastructure to better reflect the services and scope of the current business, and its global growth strategy. Bristol Environmental Remediation Services LLC and Weston Solutions Inc. have entered into a Small Business Administration (SBA) Mentor-Protégé agreement that will uniquely position the companies’ complementary services to their federal clients. CDM, along with joint-venture partners Brasfield & Gorrie and Yates Construction, was awarded a $675 million design-build contract by the USACE Hurricane Protection Office for the construction of the Permanent Canal Closures and
Pumps Stations project. This is the final contract for the Greater New Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction system. CH2M HILL delivered a comprehensive feasibility study regarding renovations to the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, France. The study is a comprehensive analysis of a historical monument that pays tribute to and is the final resting place for American pilots who served with the French Air Force in World War I. CORE Engineering & Construction Inc., along with teaming partners, was awarded a five-year contract by the USACE Huntsville District for designbuild services for the Energy Conservation Investment Program. Hanson Professional Services Inc. was selected by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a DOD agency, as one of 15 recipients of the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom
Parsons ENVIRONMENTAL • INFRASTRUCTURE • SECURITY • DEFENSE • INTELLIGENCE • ENERGY
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The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
A Community Partnership to Implement a City’s Vision: the Fort Worth Central City Project CDM has collaborated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the local sponsor to plan and design a multipurpose project to restore the Trinity River, reduce flood hazards, and create a landmark aesthetic and recreational asset for downtown Fort Worth, Texas.
For more information, visit www.cdm.com.
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Award in recognition of the firm’s exceptional support of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. HDR and the Defense Logistics Agency were awarded the 2010FY2012 Phoenix Award for ENGINEERS IN ACTION HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE SERVICES Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 at the National Brownfields Conference in recognition of its work on the former Memphis Depot project.
J.M. Waller Assoc. Inc. received two Preservation Honor Awards from the Historic Hawai’i Foundation for its part in master planning, design and restoration work at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. L-3 MPRI was awarded a contract with a total potential value of $30.7 million to support the U.S. Army Center for Strategic Leadership.
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MacDonald-Bedford LLC awarded a five-year, $80 million indefinite deliveryindefinite quantity contract by the National Guard Bureau to provide Professional and Administrative Support Services, particularly Schedule I Engineering Services. Megadoor was awarded a $1.6 million door order contract for Air Force Plant 6, located on Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. The order includes three hangar door systems sized for Hercules C-130 aircrafts. Parsons was selected by the Orange County Water District to provide construction management services for the $128 million initial expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System in Fountain Valley, Calif. Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Inc. was awarded a $33.2 million construction contract by the Port of Houston Authority to for the Phase 3 entry and exit gate expansion project at the Bayport Terminal in Pasadena, Texas. Terracon acquired Nodarse & Assoc. Inc., a firm providing environmental, geotechnical, construction materials engineering and testing and threshold inspection services. In separate transactions, URS Corp. acquired Apptis Holdings Inc., a provider of information technology and communications services to the federal government, and BP Barber, a privately-held civil engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater infrastructure. Warrior Group received two awards in the Modular Building Institute’s Awards of Distinction Contest for facilities constructed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Fort Hood, Texas. Watts Constructors was selected for the 2010 Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence in the construction category. The award, presented by the SBA to honor those who support and champion small businesses, recognizes large prime contractors that have excelled in their utilization of small businesses as suppliers and subcontractors.
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Submit Government & Industry News items, with high-resolution (300-dpi) electronic images, to industrynews@same.org .
More than 60 offices worldwide Bill Pearce, P.E., CCM, VP ■ Phone: (703) 222-7181 ■ wpearce@gfnet.com
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The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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CIVIL ENGINEERS INSPECT, REPAIR 17 GENERATORS FOR USE IN JAPAN
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The Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency’s Civil Engineer Maintenance Inspection Repair Team (CEMIRT) at TraHISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE FY2012 SERVICES vis Air Force Base, Calif., was tasked to inspect and repair 17 generators that will be used to help power Yokota and Misawa air bases in Japan. As a result of the damage to the Fukushima-Daiichi power plant caused by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March, the Japanese government has instituted a mandate for large consumers to reduce energy consumption by a minimum of 25 percent. This mandate includes all U.S. military installations in Japan. “To maintain the needs of the mission at our bases in Japan, the government tasked us with supplying the generators, which will make up for the lost power,” said Gary Campbell, the CEMIRT Power Systems Foreman. “Our generators will furnish the energy needs at Yokota and Misawa for approximately two years.” The 17 generators, which include five CEMIRT emergency power systems and 12 tactical generators, are being inspected, tested and fixed by CEMIRT technicians before they can be approved for operation. Once inspections are complete, the units will be sent by ship to Japan by the end of August and split between the two installations to form mini-power plants, Campbell said. Engineers plan to run the generators for approximately three hours a day, seven days a week, to keep each base at the required 25 reduction. Once the generators arrive, a 16-person CEMIRT team plans to set up mini power plants and train local service members and Department of Defense civilians to operate and maintain the systems. The CEMIRT team is composed of eight electrical and eight mechanical technicians who will be divided between the two locations. The Travis Air Force Base CEMIRT, a partner unit headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., provides mechanical and electrical capabilities for all Air Force bases west of the Mississippi River, as well as the entire Pacific. (Contributed by Airman 1st Class Michael Battles, 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs) 20
AFGHAN ARMY CELEBRATES NEW GARRISON COMPLETION
Completion of an Afghan National Army garrison to support about 1,000 troops was celebrated with a ribboncutting and flag-raising ceremony in March in Nimroz Province, Afghanistan. Afghan National Army officials, local Afghan government officials, U.S. Marine Corps mentor representatives, USACE Afghanistan Engineer District–South (AED-South) officials, and more than 400 Afghan National Army troops turned out for the celebration. The guest speaker for the event was Brig. Gen. Abdul Wasea, Commanding General of the 2nd Brigade, Afghan National Army 215th Corps. An avid supporter of providing security and stability throughout Nimroz Province, Gen. Wasea has worked to strengthen the partnerships between the local village elders, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Afghan National Security Forces. Construction of the Afghan National Army garrison was managed by AEDSouth. The $34 million project, awarded in June 2008 to an Afghan firm, includes officer barracks, enlisted barracks, a battalion storage facility, a maintenance facility, an arms and ammunition storage facility, a fuel distribution and storage facility, a communications facility, a dining facility, a sanitary sewer network and a generator
plant. The garrison is being completed in two phases. Phase two construction, with a target award date in the early third quarter of FY2011, will expand the current facility to accommodate 4,300 personnel. It sits on what used to be known as Forward Operating Base (FOB) Delaram 1 and is across from FOB Delaram 2, where soldiers of the 215th Corps currently serve with troops from the Georgian Army and U.S. Marines. It’s located about 1-km southeast of the city of Delaram, which serves as a major transportation center in western Afghanistan, with several major roads converging on the area, including Highway 1, known as the Ring Road, Route 515 to Farah City, Route 522 to Gulistan and Route 606 to Iran. Following the ceremony, the commanders shared light refreshments with the elders of Delaram and then toured the 22-building facility. “These buildings were built by Afghans for Afghans,” commented Col. Anthony C. Funkhouser, AED-South Commander, while shaking hands with Gen. Wesea during the tour. With completion of this vital training center and regional hub, soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, are more equipped to provide security and stability throughout Nimroz Province. (Contributed by Brenda L. Beasley, USACE Afghanistan Engineer District-South Public Affairs) The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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IRAQI AIR FORCE PRIMED FOR POWER
Six U.S. instructors prepped Iraqi service members for self-sufficiency by teaching students the basics of running generators for power production. The class, which involved service members from all over Iraq, was designed to provide an introduction to power production, enabling the Iraqi military to generate their own power and be safe in the process. The students, whose experience ranged from having a grasp on the concepts to no knowledge at all, will learn to maintain a base power plant and get power where it needs to go. “We’re trying to show them the right way to do it and make sure they maintain that information,” said Tech Sgt. Randall Weston, USAF, 467th Expeditionary Prime Base Emergency Engineer Force Squadron, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Sgt. Watson explained that the instructors often return to items they taught earlier in the course to quiz the students and make sure they remember what they were taught. “We’re training them to take over the bases once we leave.” Such a course does not appear from thin air, and the instructors spent time before the class developing a training plan. One of the instructors was Sgt. Jessie Correia, USA, of the U.S. Army’s 249th Engineer Battalion, Delta Company. 22
“Some of the words and technical terms don’t translate too well,” said Sgt. Correia, so the instructors used their expertise to develop a training plan that would not get lost in translation. “Our goal is to teach these guys enough to be safe and be aware of their surroundings. When these bases are set to turn over, they can start producing reliable power for themselves.” The 32 students graduated in early May and returned to their bases, enabling Iraq’s military to power their mission. (Contributed by Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs)
Addressing the unit for the last time, Capt. Dunn expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Troops he has led for the past two and a half years. “We’ve been through a lot, and you’ve always stepped up when I needed you to. Even during the current flood mission, you continue to amaze me, and I thank you for all your support the last couple of years.” The 843rd mission consists of horizontal construction, which includes building roads and airfields for military missions, as well as maintaining equipment and supporting state and federal operations. (Contributed by Sgt. Michael Owens)
ENGINEER BATTALION WELCOMES FIRST FEMALE COMMANDER
USACE OPERATES NEW MADRID FLOODWAY TO CONTROL FLOODING
Command of the Louisiana National Guard’s 843rd Horizontal Engineer Company switched hands May 22 during a change of command ceremony held at the unit’s headquarters in Franklinton, La. Capt. Heather S. Englehart, USANG, former Assistant Plans Officer for the 205th Engineer Battalion, assumed command of the unit from Capt. Alan T. Dunn, USANG, becoming the first female commander in the 205th Engineer Battalion. “Thank you for entrusting me to take command of this great unit,” said Capt. Englehart. “I couldn’t be any more excited, and I will work hard for you and expect you to do the same for me.” In his remarks, Lt. Col. Michael Kazmierzak, USANG, Commander of the 205th, welcomed the new commander to her first command with some words of advice. “I charge you with being an inspiring leader because your soldiers deserve it. Leadership is what it’s all about, and you have to demand it from all levels to be a successful commander.” Col. Kazmierzak also presented the Army Commendation Medal to Capt. Dunn for exceptional meritorious service while serving as commander of the 843rd since November 2008. “You have led this unit through responding to oil spills, floods and hurricanes,” Col. Kazmierzak said to Capt. Dunn. “To be a great leader you have to give your troops the resources and means to do their jobs, and you have done exactly that.”
To relieve pressure from the lower Mississippi River watershed during this year’s record spring flooding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in early May operated the Birds Point New Madrid Floodway near Cairo, Ill., for the first time since 1937 by breaching three levee sections. The Mississippi River Commission, led by USACE Mississippi Valley Division Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Walsh, USA, announced the decision at a news conference at the Birds Point levee. Gen. Walsh directed USACE Memphis District Commander Col. Vernie Reichling, USA, and crews to load an explosive slurry material into pipes and to subsequently detonate three different sections of the levee, allowing water to inundate the floodway area, which is enclosed by other setback levees. The decision, according to Gen. Walsh, involved looking at the entire system, which encompasses both the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, and evaluating conditions at every stage. “Making this decision is not easy or hard—it’s simply grave—because the decision leads to loss of property and livelihood, either in a floodway or in an area that was not designed to flood,” Gen. Walsh said. The watersheds of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers experienced historic flooding levels. Along portions of the Ohio River, more than 25-in of rain during the month of April contributed significantly to record levels, putting pressure on the entire watershed and flood risk reduction The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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system. The watersheds of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers experienced precipitation 125 percent to 150 percent above normal precipitation levels. Following the blasting of the levee, river gages indicated significant decreases in the water levels in Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky. At Cairo, the gage read a record 61.72 before the event and decreased to 60.15 only 14 hours later. USACE models and National Weather Service forecasts projected 3-ft decreases at Cairo, and Paducah, Ky. It was expected, however,
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that levels would rise again within several days after the opening of the floodway as water was released from reservoirs along the Ohio River that had been storing additional water in an attempt to keep levees along the Mississippi from overtopping. The Birds Point New Madrid Floodway was authorized as part of the Mississippi River & Tributaries project in 1928 following devastating floods a year earlier. It is designed to divert approximately 550,000-ft3/sec of water from the main channel of the Mississippi River just below Cairo. USACE hydrologists estimated it would take 45 to 60 days for water to recede from the floodway area and another 21 to 30 days for the land to dry out. Experts in explosive technology from the U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center assisted the Memphis District with blasting the inflow and outflow levee sections. (Contributed By Stephen Rochette, Operation Watershed )
MARINE CORPS ENGINEERS TRAIN WITH RED HORSE AIRMEN
As the Department of Defense (DOD) moves towards more judicious fiscal spending, the 554th RED HORSE Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, partnered with Engineer Operations (EOPS) Company Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Camp Foster, Japan, to battle budget woes by conducting joint training at Kadena Air Base’s Silver Flag site. The 554th RED HORSE Squadron is a highly mobile and self-sufficient response force that specializes in rapid civil engineer deployment as well as heavy operational repairs. RED HORSE instructors hosted a week-long training camp for the Marines, teaching various techniques in heavy equipment operation and rapid runway repair methods that are unique to the Air Force. According to Maj. Lynn Moriarty, USAF, the 554th RED HORSE Det. 1 Commander, joint training not only saves
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DOD money by combining efforts, it also helps build understanding and positive relations between sister services. “In a fiscally-constrained environment, this type of training enables us to support and HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE FY2012 SERVICES develop the integration of joint operations between the Air Force and Marine Corps to better support future contingency or humanitarian missions across the Pacific. This training is the foundation from which we will build future successes.” Although Marines are commonly known as lean, mean, wrecking machines, the teams assigned to the RED HORSE camp proved to be more than a pack of destructive “Devil Dogs.” Marine Corps support squadron units, like the EOPS Company, are a key logistical component in Marine aircraft wings (MAW). Staff Sgt. Frederick Henson, USMC, Company Gunnery Sergeant for Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 172, explained how his Marines are responsible for general engineering operations
and construction projects at home station and in deployed environments. “EOPS Marines provide the MAW with various capabilities from the construction and maintenance of airfields and landing zones to demolition operations, explosive and non-explosive obstacle removal, and airfield damage repairs. In a nutshell, without MWSS units, MAWs wouldn’t be able to fly sorties of any kind and would thus be mission incapable.” The training provided by the 554th RED HORSE Squadron saves DOD dollars and provides Marines a unique opportunity. “Airfield repair is one of the cornerstones of our mission at MWSS-172,” Sgt. Henson continued. “The Marine Corps doesn’t have a facility in the states where we can conduct rapid runway repair. Having the opportunity to train our young [non-commissioned officers] and junior Marines in rapid runway repair at the RED HORSE facility greatly improves our capabilities, making us a force multiplier
within 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.” Tech. Sgt. Russell Jamieson, USAF, a RED HORSE cadre, said that while many of the junior Marines lacked experience, instructors at the squadron were impressed with their attitude.” The Marines came here with a lot of motivation and they were willing to learn our methods. Although they didn’t have much experience with certain areas, they picked up concepts relatively quickly and were able to apply those new skills immediately.” Sgt. Jamieson explained how training like this can help DOD successfully execute future missions. “To ensure construction operations are accomplished effectively and with minimal adverse impact, joint training is a necessity. It fosters a better working relationship and understanding between the services and is the best way we can become familiar with how our sister services operate.” (Contributed by Senior Airman Shaunlee Hostutler)
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Sapper soldiers of the 541st Engineer Company, 54th Engineer Battalion Task Force Dolch, along with explosive ordHISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE FY2012 SERVICES nance disposal (EOD) teams from the Czech Republic army spend their days scraping at the dirt, tirelessly searching for hidden improvised explosive devices
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rough roads that can easily conceal explosives. These conditions provide an ample amount of danger and work for U.S. Route Clearance Patrol (RCP) soldiers and Czech EOD troops. However, the soldiers 541st Engineer Company are better able to accomplish their mission when their Czech allies join them. “The Czechs tend to be more effective,” said Sgt. 1st Class Walter Taylor, USA, RCP Platoon Sergeant for the Task Force Dolch RCP, speaking about the vital role the Czech EOD assumes on RCPs. “The Czechs have accurate IED-confirming techniques that save us time and allow us to cover more ground while on mission.” Czech army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Prouza, an EOD team leader from Frenstat Pod Radhostem, Czech Republic, and his team join 541st soldiers on route clearing missions regularly. Sgt. Prouza and his team said they are eage r to help comb the roads for indentified unexploded ordnance (UXO) and IEDs using their specialized equipment, and he believes dismounting from their vehicle with the RCP soldiers ensures expedient reaction time to dispose of IEDs and other ordnance. “We prefer to be dismounted as opposed to sitting in our vehicle because it’s more exciting. We have an opportunity to help search for command wires and IEDs, and when the RCP soldiers or Czech EOD discover an IED or UXO, our reaction time is quicker,” explained Sgt. Prouza. “If we have to walk a ‘click’ from the truck to the site, it increases the overall time we spend in that area, leaving us susceptible to security hazards.” Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Alekseiunas, USA, an RCP Platoon Sergeant for Task Force Dolch, uses the Czech EOD teams because they strengthen the RCP’s ability to discover explosives and can easily arrange for Czech infantry to provide added security in hostile locations. “We request the Czech EOD because they always dismount and offer us extra interpreters, and they give us an opportunity to work with the Czech infantry, as well. They’re definitely an asset to RCPs because of all the support they provide us. They strengthen our route clearance and our security.” (Contributed by Spc. Rosalind Arroyo, USA) The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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COALITION FORCES CONSTRUCT NEW LETTER FROM ... AFGHAN ARMY BASE
Regional Support Command–North engineers have taken the next step in transitioning the national security of Afghanistan over to the Afghan National Army by helping them place a foothold in the
Samangan Province, Afghanistan, in the lence, especially during the annual spring northern part of the country. A new for- offensive conducted by those opposed to ward operating base (FOB) that was set to the coalition- supported government. “The FOB at Hazrat-e-Sultan is underopen in late May in Hazrat-e-Sultan will going final inspections,” said Tech. Sgt. allow the sustainment of up to 800 fullEric Denner, USAF, the Engineer Techtime Afghan National Army soldiers. nical Adviser on Construction, during Regional Support Command–North is the May site visit. “After everything is one of six Regional Support Commands complete and the contractor is deemed that come under the control of the Depfinished, the FOB will be turned over to uty Commander, Regional Support, headquartered in Kabul. Afghan forces and they will begin opera“The FOB cost $2.2 million to build and tions immediately.” will give the Afghan National Army a sigCoalition transition forces were to renificant presence in the province, some- main on-hand to provide assistance to thing they lack right now,” said Master the occupants of the FOB. A contingent Sgt. Phil Harkleroad, USAF, the Project of German military mentors is co-located Budget Analyst and Noncommissioned with the Afghan National Army to advise Officer-in-Charge of Engineering. Ulti- them on conducting regional security operations. mately, the goal will be to have an Afghan GOVERNMENT NEWS MILITARY NEWS SUSTAINABILITY NEWS National Army FOB in each province, he (Contributed by Tech. Sgt. Mike Andriacco) added. Building defensible positions in the Submit Military News items with often-remote areas of the northern region high-resolution (300-dpi) electronic supports the Afghan government’s efforts images, to milnews@same.org . to protect citizens from insurgent vio-
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SUSTAINABILITY NEWS ARMY IDENTIFIES NET-ZERO PILOT INSTALLATIONS
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The U.S. Army announced April 19 the locations identified to be pilot net-zero installations. As part of the Army’s overFY2012 SERVICES all effort to conserve precious resources, net-zero installations will consume only as much energy or water as they produce and eliminate solid waste to landfills. The announcement initiated the programmatic environmental analysis and planning process for the Army’s Net-Zero Installation Strategy. Specifics for projects and initiatives will be determined through a programmatic environmental analysis that will include public engagement and stakeholder outreach. A net-zero energy installation produces as much energy on site as it uses, over the course of a year. The Army’s pilot net-zero energy installations are Fort Detrick, Md., Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, Calif., Sierra Army Depot, Calif., and West Point, N.Y. Additionally, the Oregon Army National Guard volunteered to pilot a unique and challenging net-zero energy initiative that includes all of their installations across the state. This strategy will be included in the environmental analysis. A net-zero water installation limits the consumption of freshwater resources and returns water back to the watershed so as not to deplete the groundwater and surface water resources in quantity and quality over the course of a year. The pilot net-zero water installations are Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., Camp Rilea, Ore., Fort Buchanan, P.R., Fort Riley, Kan., Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pa. A net-zero waste installation reduces, reuses and recovers waste streams, converting them to resource values with zero landfill over the course of a year. The Army’s pilot net zero waste installations are Fort Detrick, Md., Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Fort Polk, La., Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr, Germany. Two installations volunteered to be integrated net-zero installations: Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Carson, Colo. A net-zero 32
Compiled by Wendi Goldsmith, M.SAME installation is comprised of three interrelated components: net-zero energy, netzero water and net-zero waste. As part of the pilot, the installations participated in a kick-off meeting in June to receive training and showcase their proposed strategies to achieve net zero. Each installation will participate in monthly conference calls and share experiences and lessons learned in newsletters and military and industry conferences. These installations will also participate in a programmatic environmental analysis and integrated planning process that will inform future decisions regarding impacts to resources throughout the Army’s initiative. Public participation will be an integrated part of the process and part of the environmental planning process. Three panels made the pilot installation recommendations from the 100 selfnominations (53 energy, 23 water and 24 waste) received from 60 highly-motivated installations managed by the Army National Guard, Army Materiel Command, Installation Management Command, Medical Command, Space and Missile Defense Command and the U.S. Army Reserve Command. Installations that self-nominated for the pilot initiative, but were not identified are highly encouraged to continue to strive towards net-zero learning from the netzero journeys of the pilot installations. In FY2014, another 25 installations in each category will be asked to self-nominate to achieving net zero. (Contributed by the Department of Defense)
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO CLEAN WATER
Recognizing the importance of clean water and healthy watersheds to our economy, environment and communities, the Obama administration released a national clean water framework that showcases its comprehensive commitment to protecting the health of America’s waters. The framework emphasizes the importance of partnerships and coordination with states, local communities, stakeholders and the public to protect public health and water quality, and promote the nation’s energy and economic security.
For nearly 40 years, the Clean Water Act, along with other important federal measures, has been a cornerstone of efforts to ensure Americans have clean and healthy waters. The administration’s framework outlines a series of actions underway and planned across federal agencies to ensure the integrity of the waters Americans rely on every day for drinking, swimming and fishing, and that support farming, recreation, tourism and economic growth. It includes draft federal guidance to clarify which of the nation’s waters are protected by the Clean Water Act nationwide; innovative partnerships and programs to improve water quality and water efficiency; and initiatives to revitalize communities and economies by restoring rivers and critical watersheds. Clean water provides critical health, economic and livability benefits to American communities. Since 1972, the Clean Water Act has kept billions of pounds of pollution out of American waters, doubling the number of waters that meet safety standards for swimming and fishing. Despite the dramatic progress in restoring the health of the nation’s waters over the past four decades, an estimated one‐third of American waters still do not meet the swimmable and fishable standards of the Clean Water Act. Additionally, new pollution and development challenges threaten to erode gains, and demand innovative and strong action in partnership with federal agencies, states and the public to ensure clean and healthy water for families, businesses and communities in the United States. The Obama administration is safeguarding clean water by promoting innovative partnerships, enhancing communities and economies by restoring important water bodies, innovating for more water‐ efficient communities, ensuring clean water to protect public health, enhancing use and enjoyment of our waters, updating the nation’s water policies and supporting science to solve water problems. For more information and to read the Obama administration’s clean water framework, visit www.whitehouse.gov/administration/ eop/ceq/initiatives/clean‐water. (Contributed by the Environmental Protection Agency) The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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SUSTAINABILITY NEWS USACE RELEASES BENCHMARKS TO MEET ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY GOALS
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released, for the first time, its FY2010 scorecard on sustainability and energy performance. Using this scorecard as a benchmark, USACE will FY2012 SERVICES identify and track the best opportunities to reduce pollution, improve efficiency and cut costs. Under Executive Order 13514, President Barack Obama directed federal agencies to lead by example in clean energy and to meet a range of energy, water, pollution and waste reduction targets. Based on scorecard benchmarks, USACE was to update its Sustainability Plan, as required by E.O. 13514, no later than June 3, 2011, and shortly thereafter post its Sustainability Plan on the USACE public website. USACE is on its way to meeting goals to decrease energy, potable water and fleet petroleum use; incorporate sustainable building practices; and increase renewable energy use at USACE-owned facilities. USACE’s progress thus far in meeting energy and sustainability goals includes development of the USACE comprehensive greenhouse gas inventories for FY2008 (baseline) and FY2010; incorporating federal sustainability and energy metrics into the USACE Strategic Management System to provide commanders throughout USACE a dashboard tool to track their sustainability performance; apportioning of USACE Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas reduction targets so Major Subordi-
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nate Commanders have a clear understanding of the greenhouse gas reductions they are required to achieve; completion of biodiesel testing in several vessels in the USACE floating plant fleet; and completion of facility energy and water evaluations at five of the USACE’s most energy-intensive facilities. Areas within USACE showing a need for improvement include facility energy and water intensity, non-tactical vehicle petroleum, sustainable acquisition, and increasing the use of renewable energy. To address these areas, USACE plans to implement all federal, Department of Defense and Army policy and regulations related to sustainable acquisition and green procurement, and to educate staff about environmentally-preferable products and services. USACE plans also to work with its engineering districts throughout the U.S. to decrease fossil fuels usage and increase use of renewable energy. To view the USACE Office of Management Scorecard, visit www.usace.army.mil/sustainability. (Contributed by USACE)
DOE, DOI ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR ADVANCED HYDROPOWER TECHNOLOGIES
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Ken Salazar in April announced $26.6 million in funding for research and development projects to advance hydropower technology, including pumped storage hydropower. This funding is focused on development of innovative technologies that can produce power more efficiently, reduce costs and increase sustainable hydropower generation at sites not previously considered practical. Hydropower is a minimal-emission, low-cost source of energy that can be relied upon for long-term, stable production of domestic electricity. The funding announcement seeks environmentally-responsible projects that increase the generation of reliable hydropower for the nation’s electricity supply. Projects will be selected in four areas: Sustainable Small Hydropower ($10.5 million awarded over three years): These projects will research, develop and test lowhead small hydropower technologies that can be quickly and efficiently deployed in existing or constructed waterways. DOE will fund system or component model development, as well as the testing of these systems. Environmental Mitigation Technologies for Conventional Hydropower ($2.25 million awarded over three years): These projects will develop innovative conventional hydropower technologies that feature enhanced environmental performance designs to increase electricity generation while mitigating fish and habitat impacts and enhancing downstream water quality. As an example, concepts that demonstrate turbine efficiencies greater than 90 percent and fish passage survival greater than 96 percent will be sought. Sustainable Pumped Storage Hydropower ($11.875 million awarded over four years): DOE intends to provide technical and financial assistance to accelerate pumped storage hydropower projects already in the pipeline. Projects that begin construction by 2014 and integrate wind or solar will be preferred. DOE also will support analyses that calculate the economic value of The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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SUSTAINABILITY NEWS pumped storage hydropower in dynamically responding to the grid and in providing other ancillary services. Advanced Conventional Hydropower System Testing at a Bureau of ReclamaFY2012 SERVICES tion Facility ($2.0 million awarded over three years): These projects will support system tests of innovative, low-head hydropower technologies at non-powered hydro facilities and sites owned by DOI’s Bureau of Reclamation. Deliverables include testing to demonstrate energy cost reductions that could be replicated at other Bureau of Reclamation sites. Both the bureau and DOE are sponsoring this work. DOE will evaluate applications based on the metrics and guidelines published in the solicitation and will award funding on a competitive basis to a variety of projects and to technologies at various levels of development. Mandatory letters of intent were due May 5, 2011, and completed applications were due June 6, 2011. The solicitation was issued by DOE’s Wind and Water Power Program, which works to research, test and develop innovative technologies capable of generating renewable, environmentally-responsible and cost-effective electricity from wind and water power. The DOI Bureau of Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the U.S., with operations and facilities in the 17 western states. Information on the Bureau may be found at www.usbr.gov (Contributed by DOI) SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
EPA LAUNCHES STRATEGY TO PROMOTE USE OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
ture captures and filters pollutants by passing stormwater through soils and retaining it on site. Effective green infraThe Environmental Protection Agency structure tools and techniques include (EPA) is launching a new strategy to pro- green roofs, permeable materials, alternamote the use of green infrastructure by tive designs for streets and buildings, trees, cities and towns to reduce stormwater rain gardens and rain harvesting systems. runoff that pollutes our nation’s streams, As part of the strategy, EPA will work creeks, rivers, lakes and coastal waters. with partners including local governGreen infrastructure decreases pollution ments, watershed groups, tribes and othto local waterways by treating rain where ers in 10 cities that have utilized green it falls and keeping polluted stormwater infrastructure and have plans for addifrom entering sewer systems. In addi- tional projects. EPA will encourage and tion to protecting Americans’ health by support expanded use of green infrastrucdecreasing water pollution, green in- ture in these cities and highlight them as frastructure provides many community models for other municipalities. The 10 benefits including increased economic cities are Austin, Texas; Boston, Mass.; activity and neighborhood revitalization, Cleveland, Ohio; Denver, Colo.; Jacksonjob creation, energy savings and increased ville, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles, recreational and green space. Calif.; Puyallup, Wash.; Syracuse, N.Y.; “Through this agenda, we’ll help cities and Washington, D.C., and neighboring and towns across the nation clean up their Anacostia Watershed communities. waters and strengthen their communities Energy savings is one of the greatest by supporting and expanding green infra- benefits of green infrastructure. On and structure,” said Bob Perciasepe, EPA Dep- around buildings, green infrastructure uty Administrator. “Green infrastructure can reduce heating and cooling costs. For changes improve the health of our waters example, green roofs reduce a building’s while creating local jobs, saving commu- energy costs by 10 percent to 15 percent, nities money and making them healthier and an additional 10 percent of urban and more prosperous places to raise a tree canopy can provide 5 percent to 10 family and start a business.” percent energy savings from shading and Stormwater is one of the most wide- windblocking. It also conserves energy by spread challenges to water quality in the reducing the amount of stormwater ennation. Large volumes of polluted storm- tering combined collection and treatment water degrade our nation’s rivers, lakes systems, which reduces the amount of and aquatic habitats and contribute to wastewater processed at treatment plants. EPA will continue to work with other downstream flooding. Green infrastrucfederal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, municipalities and the private sector to identify opportunities for using green infrastructure and provide assistance to communities implementing green approaches to control stormwater. EPA will also provide additional tools to help states and communities leverage green infrastructure opportunities within other innovative environmental projects. The 2011 Federal Project Delivery Symposium will be highly educational in focus and will For more information on EPA’s green provide opportunities for networking as well as exploration of best practices and lessons infrastructure agenda, visit epa.gov/ learned, with perspectives provided by the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, greeninfrastructure. designers, membersNEWS of the project delivery team. LETTER FROM . . . builders and other GOVERNMENT MILITARY NEWS SUSTAINABILITY NEWS (Contributed by EPA)
Register today for this informative symposium. www.dbia.org/conferences/federal
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The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS INTEGRATED WATER AND ECOSYSTEMS MODELING AND ANALYSIS
SOCIETY NEWS
ENGINEERS IN ACTION
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
FY2012 SERVICES
One of the most perplexing issues facing water managers is the ability to understand the impacts of change in watersheds and water management on ecosystems and to formulate adaptive management approaches that will meet both economic and ecological objectives. This has been a vexing issue largely because most analytical tools are formulated to examine project-level problems or local issues, and it was typically necessary to examine water and ecosystem issues separately, in spite of their complex interdependencies. The System-Wide Water Resources Program (SWWRP) is a recently-completed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) research initiative that was undertaken to address this need. SWWRP was initiated to transcend individual project-level analysis by developing effective approaches for forecasting system-wide outcomes to water resources management activities. The program was built around the theme of
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Compiled by Lewis E. (Ed) Link, Ph.D., M.SAME environmental sustainability in water resource projects. Fundamentally, SWWRP coupled water and ecosystems models at the watershed level to provide a better understanding of the implications of alternative water management approaches in the face of complex changing needs and conditions. This is a major paradigm shift. Some of the principal benefits of this new capability are: • improved linkages between watershed changes and water management activities that influence both waterway uses and environmental conditions; • defendable decision-making approaches keyed to watershed-based tradeoff analyses and stakeholder input; • improved forecasting approaches to include cumulative impacts of water management approaches; • improved technological interoperability of hydrological and ecological models within a collaborative framework for stakeholder use; and • the ability to examine adaptive approaches to more effectively address issues of environmental sustainability. Components included in the SWWRP are numerous, and include the HEC Hydrologic Modeling System, the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis Model, the HEC River Analysis System, and a multitude of others, each with specialized capabilities. The overall SWWRP capability is comprised of numerous models, many that are familiar to water and environmental analysts. The difference is that they have been upgraded in many instances to include new capabilities and they have been placed in a framework that allows their coupled application. The SWWRP research and development has been completed, and many of the individual tools are in use within USACE on a variety of water management projects around the country. The models and their full capabilities and limitations are better defined through their application. While this represents a major advancement in the ability to examine complex issues that involve both water and ecosystems, it is only the first step in an area that has enormous potential for the future. For more information on the SWWRP capabilities contact Steve Ashby, Ph.D.,
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), at steven.l.ashby@usace.army.mil.
MONITORING TECHNOLOGY PROVES CRITICAL AFTER RIVER BARGE CRASH
A recent Mississippi River barge crash gave a new structural health monitoring (SHM) technology a chance to shine, as the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) called for back-up to ensure motorists could safely cross the river bridge connecting Vicksburg, Miss., with the state of Louisiana. The structure had been hit by a grain-filled barge and was closed as state employees assessed the damage. The SHM system was conceived and developed by ERDC and a team of contractors as part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense/Army Corrosion, Prevention and Control Program. The SHM technology monitors the long-term degradation of steel bridges and determines any effect on the structure due to changes in condition, such as corrosion, fatigue, or other forms of deterioration. Collected information gives inspectors a head start in biannual assessments and aids in maintenance and repair planning. A similar system is installed on the Swing Span of the Government Bridge at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., to monitor the dynamics and loads the bridge section experiences in everyday service, as well as long-term changes in condition. “The I-20 Mississippi River bridge was selected as one of the two SHM demonstration sites because it is a critical crossing of the Mississippi, with the next closest bridge about 50 miles away. It is also part of the Defense Strategic Highway Network and close to ERDC Vicksburg,” said Steven Sweeney, Structural Engineer at the ERDC Construction Engineering Research Laboratory and SHM project engineer. “Following the barge impact, LA DOTD called upon the system, along with subcontractor support, to check for any indication of structural problems.” The I-20 bridge SHM was installed in November 2010. The technology continuously observes structures on which it is installed to provide real-time monitoring and dynamic assessment of structural health. Dynamic assessment achieved The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS through a set of algorithms that contain preset limits for each structural variable based on a finite element model of the bridge. For example, if the bridge design parameters do not exceed the preset limits, the traffic light indicator will remain green, indicating safe bridge operation. The information on sudden changes provided by the SHM makes it a perfect fit for post-crash needs. “Bridge engineers were en route but were still a distance away when we received the call for help,” said Sweeney. “We checked for structural problems in the strain, displacement and tilt data. In addition, the system includes three cameras and we were able to look for visible problems.” In the aftermath of the recent crash, the ability to see the river bridge at close range proved particularly useful. After the 30-barge tow vessel struck the old U.S. 80 bridge in the river’s annually flooded waters, the offending barge floated downstream and didn’t simply strike one of the I-20 structure’s piers—it also lodged against it. The barge eventually sank but remained lodged, leading to a multiple-week effort to remove the wreckage. “In the hours following the crash, we monitored the system closely, continuing throughout the night, and our subcontractor provided the LA DOTD with updates every three hours. We have continued to closely watch the structure and have offered our services as the clean-up efforts continue,” said Sweeney. (Contributed by ERDC)
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
FY2012 SERVICES
ERDC LABORATORY AIDS 2011 FLOOD FIGHT
During the winter and spring of 2011, the Mississippi River Basin experienced the perfect storm for flooding, resulting in record crests throughout the Lower Mississippi. In responding to the flooding, the USACE Mississippi Valley Division and USACE Vicksburg and New Orleans Districts requested the ERDC Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) to provide a variety of support, ranging from data collection to modeling to detailing experts for technical support. The CHL Field Data Collection and Analysis Branch collected data related to operational issues such as water surface profiles and bed-form roughness to aid in making accurate model predictions on flood impact. The branch collected LIDAR and RTK-GPS data along the Yazoo Backwater Levee to establish the relationship between water level in the vicinity of the levee and the Vicksburg, Miss., gage, and conducted multi-beam surveys to quantify size, shape and movement of sand waves in an area below the Mississippi River Bridge in Vicksburg. In addition, because the flood was a unique opportunity to measure high-end river processes, the branch collected daily discharge and suspended sediment samples and multi-beam surveys to quantify sediment transport during the high-water event. Michael Winkler of the CHL Navigation Branch has served as area commander for the West Memphis, Tenn., area, where he managed eight levee inspectors responsible for patrolling 175-mi of main line levee. His duties included dispatching geotechnical experts to possible areas of concern, daily upward reporting and post-damage assessment analysis. CHL personnel provided technical guidance on ship wave height, drawdown magnitude and wave run-up on flood protection structures caused by various sizes of deep draft vessels. Additionally, Charles D. Little of the CHL River Engineering Branch deployed to Vicksburg District to assist in water management activities including assessment and analysis of real-time hydraulic data for flood response efforts in the Yazoo River Backwater area and the Red River Backwater area. Little also assisted with meetings, conference calls and flood forecast mapping for the governor of Louisiana’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, as well as public meetings at several locations within the Red River Backwater area. (Contributed by CHL)
BRAC RADAR RELOCATION YIELDS MILLIONS IN SAVINGS
The installation of an experimental radar receiver atop a 100-ft tower at Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio, in May marked the near completion of a project initiated in 2007 to consolidate sensors research capabilities for the Air Force Research Laboratory. The bi-static radar tower now located at Springfield complements three similar towers located at nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for C-Band, S-Band and L-Band research radars, along with an elaborate control room. Base Realignment and Closure 2005 (BRAC) decisions directed the radars be dismantled at Rome, N.Y., and transported and re-erected at Area B of Wright-Patterson by Sept. 15, 2011. But when engineers with the Air Force Research Laboratory Sen40
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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son who was critical to the success of this project, it would be Chief Thorenz,” Shaughnessy said. “He pulled the manpower together from Guard EI units in six states, worked the MPA days with personnel, and developed the deployment schedules for the teams that would ultimately complete the radar removals at Rome Research Site, and the reinstallations at Wright-Patterson.” Ultimately, Chief Thorenz and his fellow New York Guardsman were joined by the 219 EIS to lead installation of the S-Band system, while the 212th EIS, Milford, Mass., installed the L-Band system, the 219th EIS and the 220th EIS, Zanesville, Ohio, installed the control room system and media room at Wright-Patterson, and the 243rd EIS, South Portland, Maine, installed the antenna tower and bi-static antenna system at Springfield. The 211th EIS, Annville, Pa., is expected to finalize installation of the C-Band system at Wright-Patterson in July. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of these Airmen,” Chief Thorenz said. “The Ohio
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Enhanced expertise to solve complex treatment-based problems
Force leadership that we could tackle this with uniformed technicians,” said Shaughnessy. “Joe Sciabica, who was then-director of AFRL’s Sensors Directorate, said he was willing to assume the risk.” Four years later, the nearly-completed project has cost the Air Force about $600,000 less than the projected $4.2 million. “I don’t think you can overstate how big a deal this was,” said Frank Albanese, director of AFRL’s BRAC office. “The underlying theme behind BRAC is achieving savings for the taxpayers. This effort is one of our biggest success stories to date implementing BRAC.” Chief Thorenz became the Engineering Installation Lead Project Coordinator. He determined that while several guard teams would be needed, a single management team would oversee throughout. Maj. David Rasmussen, with the 219th EIS, Tulsa, Okla., became the Air National Guard Project Manager. Daily on-site AFRL support at Wright-Patterson came from Dave Coates, of the Sensors Directorate. “If I had to single out just one per-
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sors Directorate in Rome prepared for the entire project to be accomplished under contract, bids came in ranging from $25 million to $35 million. Engineers determined there had to be a better, more costeffective solution. Cue the Air National Guard. Rick Shaughnessy, a Sensors Directorate Engineer in Rome was convinced that airmen with Air National Guard Engineering Installation Squadrons (EIS) possessed the right skills and could accomplish the task for a fraction of the expected contract cost. Shaughnessy turned to the 213th Engineering Installation Squadron in nearby Newburgh, N.Y., where electrical engineer Maj. Mark Padrnos mapped out the entire project. Together with Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Thorenz, also of the 213th EIS, they came up with a plan for guardsman assigned to Engineering Installation Squadrons from across the country to complete the project on schedule for around $4.2 million in man-days, travel, lodging, per-diem and materials. “It took some convincing of senior Air
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CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM
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October 12-14 Seattle, Wash.
2011 Continuing Education Courses Increasing the Sustainability of Existing DOD Buildings (1 day, 8 PDHs) LEED for DOD Projects (1.5 days, 12 PDHs) Best Value Source Selection for DOD Projects (3 days, 24 PDHs) Project Management for DOD Practitioners (3 days, 24 PDHs) Design Build for DOD Projects (2 days, 16 PDHs) CMAA Construction Management Standards of Practice Course (3 days, 24 PDHs) Energy Course (In Development) (1.5 days, 12 PDHs) County Water Reclamation Facility in Maryland
Neal Wright, PE, F. SAME, VP nwright@dewberry.com 757.498.1148
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TME Ad.indd 1
6/3/2011 2:49:39 PM
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www.same.org/continuinged The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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TECHNOLOGY NEWS weather hasn’t exactly been cooperative, with heat last summer and all of the rain and thunderstorms this spring.” The Air National Guard teams weren’t the only Airmen to put their fingerprints on the radar relocation project. Maj. Rasmussen said the Air Force’s only active-duty engineering installation unit, the 85th EIS, Keesler AFB, Miss., also provided manpower, along with combat engineers from the 820th RED HORSE Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev. “Ninety-five percent of the Air Force’s engineering installation capability exists within the Air National Guard,” said Col. Wade Rupper, Commander of the 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group during an outbrief on the project. “This was a spectacular example of our Total Force brothers and sisters working together [just] as they do when they’re deployed outside the wire with the Army.” AFRL researchers said they soon hope to put the one-of-a-kind in Department of Defense research radars back to work developing new sensing capabilities for small, remotely-piloted vehicles, fusion of radio frequency and optical sensing and other related efforts. “Not only will be able to do basic research, but we will be able to demonstrate techniques as we develop them to accelerate delivery of new sensing capabilities to the warfighter,” said Gary Scalzi, an engineer with AFRL’s Sensors Directorate. (Contributed by Derek Kaufman, 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs)
SOCIETY NEWS
ENGINEERS IN ACTION
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
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MODULAR PROTECTIVE SYSTEM EFFECTIVE OVERHEAD COVER FOR REMOTE BASES
prototype structure in our mobility bay to protect a vehicle asset last November with the idea that anything can be substituted A recent demonstration conducted for the vehicle such as a tactical operaat Fort Polk, La., by ERDC Geotechni- tions center, living trailer, equipment, etcal and Structures Laboratory’s Surviv- cetera.” ability Branch validated the protective As part of this project, the team conperformance of an overhead cover struc- ducted a bare-charge explosive experiture built with no heavy equipment us- ment in November to evaluate the dying ERDC’s Modular Protective System namic response of the structure. At the (MPS). The MPS is a rapidly-deployable Fort Polk demonstration, the team detoand recoverable system that consists of a nated a fragmenting warhead to see if the lightweight space frame and composite occupied space beneath was survivable. armor panels that have been validated for “We are very pleased with the results,” protection against a wide range of threat Flores said. “We designed the MPS for the munitions. expected loads, but until you blow it up, “The MPS was originally designed for you are not 100 percent convinced it will use as a protective wall system, but was work. Other than the hole on the triggerrecently adapted to also provide overhead ing layer, the structure is completely reusprotection from indirect fire threats,” said able, and the covered are fully survivable.” LETTER FROM . . . GOVERNMENT NEWS Nick Boone, Research Mechanical EngiAccording to Boone, there have been neer and Work Package Manager for De- numerous requests from theater recently feat of Emerging Adaptive Threats Army for a capability like this. “The acquisition Technology Objective. folks are interested in helping field this The demonstration, which simulated system quickly, and we’re trying to do our direct hits from mortars and rockets, was part to make that happen so our soldiers the culminating validation event for an ef- will have an increased level of protection fort that was accelerated to meet the needs in theater.” of troops in remote austere bases like (Contributed by ERDC) those in Afghanistan, where construction assets and equipment are unavailable for NEWS TECHNOLOGY LEADER PROFILE building standard overhead cover. “We started designing the overheard cover option for MPS about a year ago,” Submit Technology News items with said Omar Flores, Research Structural Enhigh-resolution (300-dpi) electronic gineer and Work Unit Manager for MPS images, to technews@same.org . Spiral Development. “We placed the first
SOCIETY NEWS
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ENGINEERS IN ACTION
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
MIL
NEW P
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SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MILITARY ENGINEERS
2011-2015
STRATEGIC PLAN Approved by the SAME Board of Direction May 27, 2011
607 Prince Street • Alexandria, VA 22314 • 703-549-3800
www.same.org
MISSION
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
To promote and facilitate engineering support for national security by developing and enhancing relationships and competencies among uniformed services, public- and private-sector engineers and related professionals, and by developing future engineers through outreach and mentoring.
GOAL 1: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS
VISION To be a premier global engineering organization leading the professional and personal growth of all members in support of military readiness and development of solutions to national security challenges.
VALUES INTEGRITY
Unwavering commitment always to do what is right, regardless of consequences.
PATRIOTISM
Support our national ideals and take pride in our country.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Recognize the critical contribution that public servants play in supporting the economic and environmental needs of the nation.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Recognize the dedication of our national security team, composed of the uniformed services, civil service and contractors, in defending freedom.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCE Deliver high-quality solutions.
EXCELLENCE
Strive for the highest standards of performance in all actions, both personal and professional.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Preserve, protect, conserve and restore our national resources through sustainable practices.
Support joint engineer operations, emergency preparedness, response and recovery in the continental United States and abroad in the interest of national and homeland security.
OBJECTIVES
1.1 Educate SAME members and develop SAME programs based on requirements of the National Security Strategy, National Response Framework and the National Infrastructure Protection Plan in order for members to be in a position to respond to public agency emergency response and homeland security requirements. 1.2 Foster dialogue and relationship building between the private sector and government entities responsible for the National Security Strategy, National Response Framework and the National Infrastructure Protection Plan implementation. 1.3 Enhance the strategic partnership between SAME and The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) in support of the SAME and TISP goals and objectives. 1.4 Facilitate education among the military services and industry on joint engineer doctrine and service capabilities in support of all phases of combat and stability operations. 1.5 Facilitate dialogue among the uniformed services and industry on issues related to effective joint engineer operations in the theater of operations, with emphasis on engineering, construction and facility management requirements.
GOAL 2: EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Promote, enhance and reinforce the professional and technical competence of present and future SAME members through outreach, training and continuing education programs.
OBJECTIVES
2.1 Provide educational forums to increase knowledge and understanding of emerging technologies and best practices in planning, architecture, engineering, construction, facility asset management and sustainability. 2.2 Provide relevant, accessible and cost-effective training opportunities to support and encourage the personal and professional development of members and their ability to obtain and retain licensure and certification in their chosen fields of interest. 2.3 Conduct Regional and joint-Regional training conferences and Post programs to support the technical, professional and business interests of SAME members. 2.4 Develop partnerships and alliances with other professional societies and related associations to provide relevant certification programs to SAME members. 2.5 Facilitate industry and government dialogue to improve understanding of programs, trends and technologies. 2.6 Conduct educational programs geared towards small business to facilitate their successful participation in DOD programs.
Society of American Military Engineers
GOAL 3: RELATIONSHIPS AND RECOGNITION
GOAL 4: LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING
Foster inter-disciplinary, inter-agency, inter-service, international, and public- Cultivate leadership competence and mentoring within SAME by providing and private-sector sharing of information, technology and business prac- opportunities for members to lead, serve and promote the development tices, and recognize accomplishments of SAME members. of SAME’s vision at Post, Regional and National levels while encouraging, acknowledging and highlighting outstanding leadership and mentoring OBJECTIVES examples. 3.1 Facilitate partnering opportunities for public and private organizations to develop professional relationships and solve common problems. 3.2 Promote and facilitate opportunities for government officials to provide current and forecast information on service policies, programs, projects and requirements to SAME members. 3.3 Engage with other professional associations through joint meetings and conferences to promote SAME goals and objectives. 3.4 Actively seek new members from companion fields such as surety and insurance, finance, law and contracting, and engage them in SAME activities. 3.5 Promote diversity of SAME membership, professional disciplines, small and large companies, and federal, state and local public agencies at the Post, Regional and National levels. 3.6 Use web-based and traditional communications portals to effectively convey timely and accurate Post, Regional and National information that will aid public-private cooperation, advance education and training, and promote exchanges among SAME members. 3.7 Promote Post involvement in community service. 3.8 Establish and conduct outreach programs and events to support wounded and fallen warriors, deployed forces and their families, to include active, reserve, National Guard, civil service and contractors. 3.9 Develop and implement an active recognition program at Post, Regional and National levels, to include recognition of professional accomplishments, leadership and mentoring, and support to SAME. 3.10 Publicize and promote internal and external recognition of the accomplishments of SAME members and organizations.
OBJECTIVES
4.1 Utilize the expertise and knowledge of SAME members, including Post Fellows and past Post leaders, to develop and train Post members to assume leadership positions. 4.2 Encourage Post leaders to participate in SAME’s national education opportunities, including but not limited to the Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo, Regional conferences, and Post leaders training. 4.3 Strengthen SAME Posts through effective leadership by Regional Vice Presidents, as evidenced by relevant programs, increasing membership and SAME Streamers and national awards. 4.4 Establish a culture in SAME that promotes mentoring of K-12 and college students and young members by SAME professionals and Fellows. 4.5 Exhibit executive leadership to encourage and permit mid-level civil service personnel, NCOs, junior officers and Young Members opportunities to participate in SAME activities, especially training and educational events. 4.6 Inspire primary and secondary (K-12) students to enter architecture, engineering, construction and related career fields through engineering and construction camps, jobsite tours, scouting merit badges and patches, and related outreach programs. 4.7 Promote the engineering career field at colleges and universities through Student Chapters, mentoring programs, scholarships and career planning seminars.
www.same.org
Society of American Military Engineers
2011-2012 BOARD OF DIRECTION NATIONAL OFFICERS: PRESIDENT Rear Adm. Christopher J. Mossey, P.E., CEC, USN 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Anthony F. Leketa, P.E., F.SAME, Parsons VICE PRESIDENT & CHAIR, ACADEMY OF FELLOWS Paul A. Parker, SES, F.SAME, USAF VICE PRESIDENT: Jennifer P. Fogg, CPF, F.SAME, Asset Group PAST PRESIDENT: Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Byers, F.SAME, USAF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Robert D. Wolff, Ph.D., P.E., F.SAME (Non-voting) TREASURER: Richard S. Khalil, CPA, A. Morton Thomas and Assoc. (Non-voting) GENERAL COUNSEL: Harold I. Rosen, Esq., F.SAME, The Law Office of Harold Rosen (Non-voting)
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS:
• Carolinas: Capt. Len Dillinger, P.E., F.SAME, USN (Ret.), PB • Europe: Col. Richard S. “Scott” Jarvis, USAF • Great Lakes: Joan Freitag, F.SAME, Hanson Professional Services Inc. • Lower Mississippi: Ashlyn Graves, Evans-Graves Engineers Inc. • Middle Atlantic: Lt. Col. Neal Wright, P.E., PMP, F.SAME, USA (Ret.), Dewberry • Missouri River: Jeanne LeBron, F.SAME, SEH • New England: Alan Fillip, MACTEC • North Atlantic: Judy Cooper, F.SAME, PB • Northwest: Capt. Bob Schlesinger, P.E., LEED AP, USN (Ret.), Baker • Ohio Valley: Marci Snyder, Woolpert Inc. • Pacific: Col. John Lohr, USAF • Rocky Mountain: Col. Steve Rose, USAFR • South Atlantic: Capt. Michael Blount, P.E., USN (Ret.), Balfour Beatty Construction US • South Central: Mike Thompson, P.E., Thompson Engineering Inc. • Southwest: Vida Wright, Ph.D., F.SAME, Veridico Group Inc. • TEXOMA: Greg Kuhn, P.E., F.SAME, Halff Assoc.
MISSION COMMITTEE CHAIRS:
• College Outreach: Col. Joe Manous Jr., Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, USA (Ret.), USACE • Emergency Preparedness & Homeland Security: Capt. Jay Manik, P.E., F.SAME, USCG (Ret.), CDM • Engineering & Construction Camps: Lt. Col. Scott Prosuch, F.SAME, USA (Ret.), Tetra Tech • Environmental: Col. Jack Norris, USA (Ret.), AECOM • Facilities Asset Management: Stacey Hirata, SES, USACE • International: Chris Williams, CH2M HILL • Joint Engineer Contingency Operations: Col. Mike Flanagan, USA (Ret.), Shaw
ELECTED DIRECTORS:
2009 – 2012 • Julie Fisher, Farnsworth Group • Capt. Randall Gardner, P.E., USPHS • Rick Cunningham, R.A., F.SAME, City of Omaha, Neb. • Chris Ackert, P.E., CMS Corp. 2010 – 2013 • Lt. Col. Wendell “Buddy” Barnes, P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.), Montgomery & Barnes • Richard “Rad” Delaney, AIA, LEED AP, Ewing Cole • Ann Ewy, PMP, USACE • Patricia Gaskins, F.SAME, Advanced Engineering Consultants 2011 – 2014 • Joseph Angell II, P.E., CCM, F.SAME, VHB Inc. • Satyesh “S.K.” Nanda, Ph.D, P.E., WRE, F.SAME • Col. Sal Nodjomian, P.E., F.SAME, USAF • Nadja Turek, P.E., LEED AP, Woolpert Inc.
APPOINTED DIRECTORS (NON-VOTING):
William “Bill” Anderson, Director, The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) Rear Adm. Sven Rodenbeck, P.E., DEE, ScD, USPHS Capt. Tom Jones, P.E., USCG
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND LIAISONS • Awards & Recognition Committee: Capt. Tom Bersson, P.E., USN (Ret.), SAIC • Army Liaison: Sheri Moore, USACE • Navy Liaison: Lt. Cdr. Jay Lutz • Air Force Liaison: Maj. Michelle Harwood • Coast Guard Liaison: Lt. Scott MacCumbee • Public Health Service Liaison: Lt. Cdr. Ryan Costello • Marine Corps Liaison: Lt. Col. John Osborne
COUNCILS:
• Noncommissioned Officer: CSM William McDaniel, USA (Ret.), USACE • Small Business: Matt Wallace, WT Resources Inc. • Young Member: Capt. Timothy “Chef” Scheffler, USAF
www.same.org
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SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
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“We are accomplishing the same construction execution workload with 40 percent fewer people. This challenge makes it imperative that we continue to find efficiencies that can streamline project delivery processes.” 50
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
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Terry G. Edwards, P.E., SES
SOCIETY NEWS
ENGINEERS IN ACTION
The recently-appointed Director of the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment talks about the center’s MILCON, environmental and small business goals. TME: Congratulations on your selection as Director of the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE). What are the top priorities that you have set in your new position? EDWARDS: AFCEE’s focus on excellent installations directly contributes to the success of the U.S. Air Force, whose installations are its warfighting platforms. AFCEE supports the focus of Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Byers, F.SAME, USAF, the Air Force Civil Engineer, to build ready engineers, great leaders and sustainable installations. We have six focus areas that encompass the mission the Air Force has entrusted AFCEE to execute. I have made the following our mission priorities: • environmental stewardship, including restoration at both closed and active bases and environmental compliance; • sustainable design and construction; • privatized housing and portfolio management—it is our commitment at AFCEE to ensure we provide quality homes for airmen and their families; • strategic sourcing and flexible contract tools—our goal is to ensure we have the right contract tools in place for what the
• Air Force needs today and tomorrow; • enhanced asset management—AFCEE is looking for ways to maximize the utilization of Air Force assets through technology and other innovation; and • energy security—AFCEE plays a significant role in its design of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designcertified buildings. TME: How is the consolidation of MILCON program management from the Major Commands (MAJCOM) working? EDWARDS: For MILCON, the consolidation of the execution functions at AFCEE has been a real success story. We think it is working exceptionally well, and it has allowed us to take full advantage of the numerous efficiencies made possible through our centralized processes. For example, we have greatly improved communications with our construction agents and we now speak with a single voice for Air Force MILCON, resulting in much improved and more seamless execution as we proceed through design, award, construction and closeout of our projects. We have improved the project award rate, as well. For the years FY05 through FY07, the overall rate for the Air Force averaged 74 percent of projects awarded in their year of appropriation. For FY09, the first full year of consolidation at AFCEE, our award rate was a record 85 percent. In FY10, our overall award rate was 80 percent even with late-arriving Base Realignment and Closure projects. Without those, we were well over 90 percent. And the real plus: All this has been accomplished with a 40 percent manpower savings.
Edwards talks with radio hosts John Thurman and Mark Frye about AFCEE operations during a broadcast of the program “Military City USA Radio” on KLUP 930 AM in San Antonio in February.
The Military Engineer • No. 672
TME: What are your major challenges in satisfying your customers? EDWARDS: We are accomplishing the same construction execution workload with 40 percent fewer people. This challenge makes it imperative that we continue to find efficiencies that can streamline project delivery processes. We have made good progress on several initiatives. For example, we are aggressively promoting the use of the design-build acquisition method with our customers and agents. Design-build has proven to deliver highquality Air Force facilities that allow more efficient use of our project managers’ time and efforts during the execution process. Also, we are pursuing more standardized designs and requests for proposal. This initiative results in a decreased number of issues that normally occur during design and construction of our facilities. TME: How is the consolidation of the Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) management from the MAJCOMs working? EDWARDS: Though consolidation of the ERP is still evolving, the benefits thus far have been rewarding and have resulted in a more efficient use of Defense Environmental Restoration Account funding and an improved awareness of program requirements. By consolidating the restoration program at AFCEE, program requirements are optimized and funded at Air Force level. This provides the flexibility to develop program strategies that can cut across MAJCOM lines and focus on the highest priorities first. For example, one of our current initiatives is considering regional performance-based contracts that incorporate several installations from different MAJCOMs. This has the potential to offer significant economy-of-scale savings while optimizing the ability to provide 51
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oversight and management in a given region. This type of strategy was not easily as attainable under the decentralized construction program. To effectively and efficiently build and execute the centralized program, AFCEE developed a standardized application of guidance, assumptions and cost estimation to provide a more realistic awareness of the program’s true progress. In addition, and for the first time in the program, the information garnered from this effort is allowing us to build a master program strategy that will chart our way ahead for the life of the overall program and give us a better understanding of the costs associated with restoration. TME: What have been your major challenges in satisfying your customers in ERP management? EDWARDS: Keeping customers informed of our efforts as we evolve has been our most challenging task thus far. The new aggressive application of a fence-to-fence performance-based remediation strategy focused on site completion as recently directed under Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics (SAF/IE) policy has moved the program into a state of acceleration and change. AFCEE has been working diligently to develop several products and forums to keep customers abreast of the latest developments. In March 2011, AFCEE hosted the Restoration and Technology Transfer Workshop, whose audience included installation and MAJCOM restoration program managers, state and federal regulators and other experts in environmental restoration. The forum addressed the concepts and details associated with the new direction and questions related to old efforts in transition. In addition, AFCEE created a suite of road-show briefings and Q&A papers that are being used at partnering meetings, Restoration Advisory Board events, MAJCOM Project Management Reviews and installations. Also, once we garner lessons from our first wave of contracts under the new strategy, we will finalize our PBR Guidance Book in October 2011, which is a
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cradle-to-grave product covering the performance-based remediation (PBR) process, contract templates, post-award oversight and other details. These products also are being posted on our CE Portal website for easy access by our customers. Finally, we plan by December 2011 to have completed our Restoration Master Strategy, which will be the foundation for the entire program throughout its life, to include the planned acquisition sequence of installation PBRs. This will provide an essential tool for installations and regulators to plan their programs, and for the Air Force to defend future program funding.
can be minimized. AFCEE also is involved in a pilot program with the U.S. Green Building Council called the Portfolio Partnership Program. This program will help us set goals and measure our progress at meeting federal requirements and increasing the sustainability level, year-toyear, of our existing facilities. This concept of continuous improvement is a cornerstone in our Sustainable Communities effort.
TME: How is AFCEE addressing Department of Defense (DOD) sustainability and energy reduction goals?
EDWARDS: Approximately 49 percent of AFCEE prime contracts are held by small businesses. Historically, about 22 percent of AFCEE dollars have been obligated to its small business primes. As of April 25, 2011, 26 percent of AFCEE obligations have been awarded to small businesses for FY11. AFCEE is doing a solid job with this program and has several successes that prove we are committed to the small business program. For example, AFCEE’s former Small Business Programs Office, which now falls under the Air Force Materiel Command Enterprise Sourcing Group, is involved in all source selections from the beginning of the acquisition, and the director is an advisor to the source selection authority on all source selections. The AFCEE leadership team has maintained an open-door policy for any small business owner who wants to meet with them. We have added contract language to allow small business set-asides at the task order level. This also involves the new PBR acquisition strategy, and the small business office is engaged in ensuring the word is getting out about small business opportunities in this area.
EDWARDS: The DOD Sustainable Buildings Policy, signed Oct. 25, 2010, requires compliance with Federal High-Performance and Sustainable Building requirements and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification, as appropriate, with an emphasis on achieving credits related to energy efficiency and water conservation. The current Air Force Sustainable Design and Development policy requires us to meet or exceed the Federal High Performance and Sustainable Building requirements, and to achieve formal LEED Silver certification for a minimum of 10 percent of all vertical construction. This policy is being expanded to require pursuing LEED Silver certification for all eligible projects. The new Air Force policy also will require all new vertical construction and major renovations to fully incorporate federal requirements for high-performance and sustainable buildings and achieve a minimum of 20 LEED points dedicated toward energy efficiency and water conservation, as required by DOD policy. In addition to achieving LEED Silver certification, our present and future projects place heavy emphasis on energy- and water-reduction features. By incorporating the requirements early in the project planning and development, the cost to achieve the federally-mandated reductions in energy and water consumption
TME: Small business is an important component of federal acquisition. How is AFCEE doing in the area of small business awards and subcontracting?
Terry G. Edwards, P.E., SES, became Director of AFCEE in October 2010 after serving most recently as AFCEE Civilian Deputy Director. Edwards’ ties to AFCEE date to 1991, when he first served as a Senior Environmental Program Manager while an officer on active duty. He transitioned into civil service in 1994 and has since continued to work at AFCEE in various capacities. The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
USACE installed the sector gate leafs at Bayou Dupre in April 2011. These are the tallest sector gates in the entire HSDRRS. USACE PHOTO BY PAUL FLORO.
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The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
Coastal Fortifications of New Orleans The Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System is both an unparalleled feat of engineering and a critical line of defense for residents of greater New Orleans. BY COL. ROBERT A. SINKLER, M.SAME, USA, and NICK L. SILBERT In 1794, the United States of America began a program of military construction for the protection of coastal communities against attack from the sea. Coastal defense works continued almost uninterrupted until shortly after World War II. After nearly 15 decades of coastal fortification work by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), this type of construction was nearly dormant until 2006. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the largest and most devastating natural disaster in America’s history, Congress fully authorized and funded a $14.45 billion Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) for the greater New Orleans, La., area to ensure the city could defend against a 100-year storm surge, or a storm surge event that has a 1 percent chance of occurring during any given year. As the largest civil works project in American history, HSDRSS includes 120-mi of levees, floodwalls, gates, barriers and other structures in the five-parish greater New Orleans area. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama both made commitments to complete the system by the 2011 hurricane season, which began in June.
FIVE SHORT YEARS
To construct an integrated and robust risk reduction system, three major strategic improvements were made to the disparate collection of existing substandard floodwalls and levees. First, all canals, bayous and waterways that had openings into the heart of the City of New Orleans were closed off with steel gates, walls, and/ or pump stations. Second, all levees and floodwalls along the 120-mi perimeter were engineered, designed and constructed to the same standards. This involved deThe Military Engineer • No. 672
molition, removal and replacement of tens of miles of unacceptable levees and floodwalls. And third, nearly 50 pump stations were storm-proofed so the city could more effectively remove interior stormwater during a tropical weather event. USACE and its contractors planned, engineered and designed the 120-mi perimeter risk reduction system in about 36 months, with construction taking place over the following 24-month period. In five short years, the perimeter system went from authorization by Congress to completion of a continuous, capable 100year system. USACE used a variety of strategies to design and construct HSDRRS under an unprecedented, aggressive timeline for a major civil works project. First, the White House Council on Environmental Quality granted USACE special permission to abide by a set of alternative arrangements in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These NEPA alternative arrangements have allowed USACE to break up comprehensive Environmental Impact Statements into smaller units of assessment, known as Individual Environmental Reports, and have allowed for more public input opportunities. This has enabled individual projects to move more expeditiously into the construction phase. A Comprehensive Environmental Document is currently being drafted to address the cumulative impacts of all HSDRRS construction. Second, the USACE Mississippi Valley Division, which oversees the six districts along the entire length of the Mississippi River, employed acquisition strategies normally associated with military construction to deliver several large projects within HSDRRS on this aggressive and unprecedented schedule. These acquisition strategies include design-build and early contractor involvement, which significantly shortened the project delivery schedule. Lastly, USACE employed innovative
construction techniques to help overcome many of the challenges associated with construction in some of the worst soil conditions found in the world. For instance, USACE used the deep soil mixing method along a stretch of levee being constructed in New Orleans East to increase the strength of the weak underlying soil so it could support the higher levee. Approximately 500,000-T of cement was incorporated into the 5.7-mi-long stretch of levee. In total, approximately 1.7-million-yd3 of soil was treated with deep soil mixing to strengthen the underlying soil, making it the largest deep soil mixing project in the country, and possibly the world. Along those same lines, USACE installed wick drains along a separate stretch of levee in New Orleans East to increase the rate of soil consolidation so that it could support a higher levee embankment. More than 250,000 wick drains were placed in the 7.5-mile-long stretch of levee just east of the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, making it the largest wick drain project in U.S. history. These innovative construction techniques went a long way in ensuring that these projects were delivered on time.
ON A MASSIVE SCALE
Many of USACE’s risk-reduction projects were built on a massive scale. Three of the more high-profile HSDRRS projects are the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC)-Lake Borgne Surge Barrier, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW)West Closure Complex, and the Permanent Canal Closures and Pump Stations. IHNC-Lake Borgne Surge Barrier. This 1.8-mi-long barrier wall is anchored nearly 200-ft into the ground and stretches across the confluence of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) and the GIWW on the east bank of the Mississippi River near Lake Borgne. In addition to the 26-ft-high steel and concrete barrier wall and floodwall tie-ins, the surge bar55
USACE PHOTO
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
Col. Robert Sinkler, M.SAME, USA, Commander of the USACE Hurricane Protection Office, surveys the progress of the Seabrook Floodgate Complex in February 2011.
rier also consists of three gates: a sector gate and barge gate, each 150-ft wide, at the GIWW and a 56-ft-wide vertical lift gate at Bayou Bienvenue. The $1.1 billion IHNC-Lake Borgne Surge Barrier is the largest design-build civil works project in USACE history. GIWW-West Closure Complex. Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River about a half-mile south of the confluence of the Harvey and Algiers canals on the GIWW, this nearly $1 billion project consists of the nation’s largest sector gate, measuring 225-ft wide, as well as foreshore protection and the world’s largest drainage pump station. Permanent Canal Closures and Pump Stations. As the second largest designbuild civil works project in the history of USACE, this $675 million project will permanently close off the three outfall canals that allowed storm surge to penetrate 2-mi into the heart of metro New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. They will have a combined pumping capacity of 24,200ft3/sec when complete. One of the largest and most substantial components of the system is the $1.5 billion, 23-mi floodwall surrounding St. Bernard Parish. This new concrete T-wall is anchored 120-ft underground with 42,000 steel H-piles. More than 50 Eiffel Towers worth of metal is used in the construction of this massive floodwall, which is at 32-ft in elevation along MRGO, and 26-ft in elevation where it ties back into the Mississippi River levee. More than 56
2-mi of T-wall were constructed per month to deliver HSDRRS on schedule. In total, the 120-mi concrete, steel, rock and clay perimeter “wall” includes two interstate highway crossings, three fourlane state highways crossings, five railroad crossings, and roughly 500 smaller road and vehicular crossings. Thirteen significant canals, waterways and bayous also cross the system and require massive steel gates and concrete structures, including the two largest sector gates ever constructed by USACE. More than 600 major pipelines, utilities and facilities had to be relocated to complete the system, and the USACE real estate team had the very challenging mission of acquiring real estate access, as virtually none of the perimeter system was built on property originally owned by the federal government.
A TEAM EFFORT
The USACE New Orleans District and the Hurricane Protection Office (HPO) are responsible for overseeing the execution and delivery of the system. HPO is the expeditionary project execution task force created to assist the Mississippi Valley Division Commander in delivering a high-quality HSDRRS under budget and on an aggressive timeline for the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. The Mississippi Valley Division, based in Vicksburg, Miss., also created Task Force Hope, a forward division cell in New Orleans, to oversee management of the program.
All six districts within the Mississippi Valley Division have been engaged in the engineering, design and delivery of HSDRRS, with several other USACE districts and commands given specific responsibility for supporting different aspects of project delivery. Thousands of USACE employees, contractors and consultants have had a fundamental role in delivering HSDRRS, as have dozens of military personnel. Indeed, personnel from every USACE district in the U.S. has supported the delivery of HSDRRS at some point over the past five years. USACE also has leveraged external expertise from academia and private industry in designing, constructing and peer reviewing components of the system. Stakeholders including state and local government partners and non-government organizations have all been instrumental in facilitating resolution of a multitude of complex issues. This has been the largest interagency domestic disaster recovery operation in the nation’s history.
A WALLED CITY
It is a local joke that Andrew Jackson requested coastal fortification from Congress in 1814 to help repel the British attack up Bayou Bienvenue. Now the government is finally getting around to building the coastal defenses. The new 132-T lift gate installed across Bayou Bienvenue would have easily kept Capt. Nicholas Lockyer and his 1,200 British sailors and Royal Marines and their 42 longboats, launches and barges from reaching New Orleans. The modern storm surge fortifications of New Orleans are a model for coastal cities around the globe. New Orleans is currently the most modern walled city in the world, and because it is in a hurricane zone, its storm surge defenses have a more robust design than even the world-class systems found in Europe and Asia. Col. Robert A. Sinkler, M.SAME, USA, is Commander and Nick L. Silbert is Public Affairs Contractor, Hurricane Protection Office, USACE. They can be reached at 504-862-1310 or robert.a.sinkler.col@usace.army.mil, and 504-862-1934 or nicholas.l.silbert@usace.army. mil, respectively.
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
The Red Lake River meanders through the Woods Addition, one of Crookston’s five flood-prone neighborhoods. PHOTO COURTESY SHORT ELLIOTT HENDRICKSON INC.
Comprehensive Planning in Flood Risk Management As demonstrated by the success of flood-prone Crookston, Minn., many U.S. flood control projects could benefit from a long-term, comprehensive planning approach. BY MARK ANGELO, P.E. The city of Crookston, Minn., averages a significant flood at least once every seven years. The financial impact of these floods has numbered in the millions of dollars, and the emotional toll on the city’s 8,000 people is incalculable. As with many upper Midwest communities, mitigating flood devastation has been a major challenge for Crookston. But a creative collaboration between the city, the state of Minnesota and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has resulted in a long-term, comprehensive plan for flood risk management that will keep Crookston’s people and property safer and serve as a model for other communities facing the same challenges. Located about 25-mi from Grand Forks, N.D., Crookston is situated in a geographic area that is highly susceptible The Military Engineer • No. 672
to flooding. The Red Lake River flows through the city on its way to the Red River of the North approximately 30-mi away. The segment of the Red Lake River that flows through Crookston has frequent meanders and steep banks, making the city vulnerable to flooding and riverbank failures. More than 40 percent of the city’s land surface and 710 residences are in the 100-year floodplain. Each year, spring snow melt, early rains and thunderstorms threaten flooding in Crookston. Records indicate there have been 18 floods in the city over the last 114 years, with 15 of those floods occurring since 1960. This calculates to approximately one flood every three of the last 50 years. Hydrologic evaluations indicate that even more floods of a large magnitude, similar to those experienced in the past, are expected to occur in Crookston in the future.
DEVELOPING A PLAN
A 4.5-mi levee system constructed under emergency conditions between 1950 and 1979 protected Crookston during several flood events. However, because the levees were constructed under emergency conditions, during flood events and not under ideal construction conditions, in recent years they began to show signs of settlement, erosion and general deterioration. The city began planning a flood protection project several years ago to replace the emergency levee system. Crookston enlisted the help of USACE, which in 1997 prepared a feasibility study and environmental assessment for a flood risk management project. USACE determined that there was federal interest in a flood risk management project for the Woods Addition, one of Crookston’s five flood-prone neighborhoods. Started in 2001, construction of Stage 1 of the flood 57
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT protection project consisted of a 1,100-ftlong cutoff channel across an oxbow on the river. USACE hired an engineering firm to perform final design and prepare construction documents for Stage 2. In 2002, Stage 2 construction began on a cutoff channel across another river oxbow as well as the flood protection facilities in the Woods Addition. These stages of construction predicted some relief for Crookston citizens. Hydraulic modeling indicated that construction of the two cutoff channels lowered the 100-year flood water surface elevation by .8-ft. The city planned to submit a request for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) based on the lower water surface elevation upon completion of Stage 1 and 2. However, in spring 2003, as construction on Stage 2 was closing, a high-water event on Red Lake River was followed during the summer by extreme low-water conditions. The impervious soil in the riverbanks was still saturated from the high water in the spring, and without the water in the river to offer resistance, the riverbanks began to slough in several areas. One slough was especially damaging, destroying 10 homes and jeopardizing utilities and a state highway. The city of Crookston hired a private contractor to develop options for stabilizing the river banks and providing flood protection for the four remaining flood-prone neighborhoods. The primary challenge was developing a solution that would not increase the base flood elevation. While the overall project, including already constructed Stages 1 and 2, would result in a net decrease in base flood elevation, the remaining construction stages would cause a slight increase in the water surface elevation. If the LOMR were approved based only on Stages 1 and 2, a new, lower, base flood elevation would be established, prohibiting construction of the remaining four stages. However, because the net result of all construction stages would decrease the base flood elevation, the remaining stages could be constructed if the LOMR was postponed to include all stages of the project at once. Based on these considerations and the contractor’s recommendations, the proj58
ect team decided to take a holistic approach to the project. Instead of looking at each flood-prone neighborhood as a separate project, the team developed a comprehensive plan of flood protection and bank stabilization for the entire community.
A HOLISTIC STRATEGY
The long-term solution included several phases and various actions. The riverbanks were stabilized by placing rock fill along the riverbank to provide ballast. Slope stability analyses on the rock fill and levee sections determined the required rock fill section and minimum setback for the levees from the top of the riverbank slope. Hydraulic analyses determined impacts on the base flood elevation from the rock fill and levee alignment. Where possible without removing homes, levee alignments were moved landward to reduce the impact on the base flood elevation. Hydraulic modeling determined that if the levees were moved too far back from the top of the river slope there would actually be an increase in base flood elevation due to a reduction in velocity of the river water. Thus, the geotechnical and hydraulic engineers iterated to find an optimal levee alignment that would minimize base flood elevation impacts while meeting slope stability requirements. From these analyses, they determined that Stages 3 through 6 would increase the flood elevation by a total of .1-ft. Combined with the reduction of water elevation associated with Stages 1 and 2, the net project result was a reduction of water elevation of .7-ft feet. In total, construction of the six project stages will cost approximately $29.5 million and will provide protection for the 100-year, or 1 percent frequency, flood event. The project facilities include: • removal of the existing emergency levee system; • construction of 20,400-ft of earth levee ranging in height from 5-ft to 15-ft; • construction of 3,500-ft of concrete floodwall; • two cutoff channels across oxbows; • installation of eight tractor-driven pump stations;
• installation of eight electric pump stations for seepage drains; and • emplacement of 160,000-yd3 of rock fill for bank stabilization. In addition to providing better longterm flood risk management, the comprehensive project approach proved beneficial for the pursuit of project funding. The City of Crookston and the federal government shared the cost of Stages 1 and 2. Federal funding was not forthcoming, however, for Stages 3 through 6, leaving the city to raise the necessary funding for these stages. Crookston’s comprehensive flood risk management plan included preliminary construction plans, an opinion of probable project cost, and a timeline for land acquisition, permitting and construction for each stage. The Minnesota state legislature and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which administer the state’s Flood Damage Reduction Grant program, appreciated the comprehensive plan. Several state officials called Crookston the most flood-prone city in Minnesota. The plan showed that each project stage was as close to “shovel ready” as possible, and state officials knew the project could be implemented promptly and a return on the investment would be physically visible shortly thereafter. This provided an advantage for Crookston, as it was competing for project funding with several other communities. With the funding provided by the state, Stages 3 and 4 of the project have been completed and have already protected Crookston through two flood events. Stage 5 has been awarded to a construction contractor and was anticipated to be under construction in May 2011. Construction on the sixth and final stage should begin in late 2011. When completed, these new facilities will provide reliable, certifiable flood protection for the city of Crookston.
Mark Angelo, P.E., is Civil Engineer, Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc.; 651-490-2193 or mangelo@sehinc.com .
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
PHOTOS COURTESY AECOM
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
Engineers inspect the sector gate model as water is released through the gates from the polder behind the surge barrier. These conditions created the maximum forces designers had to overcome in order to open the gates after a storm’s withdrawal.
Physical Modeling in Coastal Engineering Engineers used a time-tested method to assist in the design of a critical surge barrier project included in the greater New Orleans Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction System. BY PETER GRANT, P.E. Most residents of New Orleans, La., are unaware that the design-build team of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) surge barrier project has already built, installed and tested the structures against a 1 percent-chance hurricane storm surge and waves—just at a smaller scale. The tests were performed at onetwentieth the size of the actual structures and were performed for less than onehundredth of the actual cost. Commonly The Military Engineer • No. 672
known as “physical modeling,” the act of simulating real-world physical processes is not a new tool used by engineers and scientists. The practice of physical modeling dates back to as early as Sir Isaac Newton’s record of similarity laws, in which the dominant forces in a system are used to derive relationships between the actual and scaled systems. Physical modeling is widely used in coastal engineering for solving problems that can’t be solved using computer models in a reliable manner. Physical modeling continues to push the technological
frontier through the use of modern instrumentation and active wave generation controls needed to simulate the waves of complex acts of nature, such as a hurricane.
THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
Physical models in coastal engineering are used to assist engineers with complex systems not capable of being analyzed with modern computer models or with engineering equations. To this effect, the scaled models of the New Orleans Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction 59
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
Each gate member was scaled using hydroelastic similitude laws to allow modelers to record the gate’s vibration during storm surge and waves as well as flood release scenarios.
System’s Gulf Intracoastal Water Way (GIWW) sector gates were constructed to provide the critical design information that designers needed. The IHNC surge barrier is the first line of defense against storm surge and is designed to allow some waves to overtop the structure. A polder (an area of low land) behind the surge barrier is designed to accumulate up to 1.5-ft of additional water surface during a 1 percent-chance hurricane. The GIWW sector gates then become a large flood-relief valve and are required to open to let the accumulated water back out to sea. The designers used information gathered from the physical model to help determine the forces acting upon the gates during a storm and those required to open the gates after a storm. By April 2009, 12 months after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) awarded the construction contract, a private firm under another contract had designed and built a special-purpose coastal physical modeling laboratory near Seattle, Wash., and had begun testing a section of the 1.8-mi-long surge barrier. Six months later, the team began testing the GIWW sector gates in a 3D wave basin, which included the entire width of the GIWW and approach walls leading to the 150-ft navigational passage between the gates. Test measurements were thoroughly scrutinized by internal and external quality review teams including key members of the sector gate’s design team, scientists from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center and the USACE Hurricane Protection Office. 60
The sector gates were modeled to achieve what is known as hydroelastic similitude. Besides being geometrically similar at a one-twentieth scale, the model components were individually designed to bend and vibrate at a scalable frequency recorded by accelerometers placed on the gate. This scaling technique is not often utilized for coastal structures like surge barriers and breakwaters, but is more common for the investigation of gate vibration in a dam’s floodgates such as the radial Tainter gate. The GIWW sector gates, which are similar to radial Tainter gates turned on their side, have significantly more structural members forming three truss layers that resist the approximately 20-ft storm surge of a 1 percent-chance hurricane. The GIWW gates incorporate two buoyancy tanks per gate leaf. A large buoyancy tank near the front of the gate helps to ease gate movement by reducing the force placed on the bottom seal. A smaller buoyancy tank near the gate’s axle allows these large, 84-ft radial sector gates to be floated in place for final assembly. The innovative use of these buoyancy tanks in the sector gate design was necessary for ease of operability of the gates and to reduce operations and maintenance costs. However, this also presented the designers with difficult-to-answer questions regarding the forces experienced by the gates and the plausibility of exciting resonant vibrations. The model gates were instrumented to record waves in front of the gates, pressures on the outside surface of the gates as well as an overhanging roadway, forces at bearings and actuators, and vibrations along the gate’s main structural members. Key findings from the experiments showed that waves directly in front of the GIWW gates were reduced by deeper waters and the long approach walls in front of the structure. Although these waves were reduced in total height, the curvature of the sector gates helped to focus wave energy where the gates meet, occasionally creating wave pressures acting on an overhanging portion of the gate which was twice the horizontal design pressure. Confirming the magnitude of wave pressures and forces during large wave
impacts helped designers make final selections for structural members and the casting design of the main bearing supporting the weight of the sector gate. Small vibrations were recorded when waves overtopped the gates, but these vibrations quickly dissipated and were not severe enough to cause damage to the gates. The gates tested were very stable, enough so that Playmobile toys, which are very near a one-twentieth-scaled representation of a real person, were used to provide evidence of the low amounts of gate vibration during wave impacts. Modelers noted that although the test results were good, standing on the GIWW sector gates during a hurricane is not advisable, for obvious reasons. Further benefits of using the physical model to assist designers were found when testing the gates’ reaction to opening under a reverse differential head. Such a condition is created when releasing flood waters from the polder behind the surge barrier after a storm’s withdrawal. During these tests, it was found that the hydraulic torque curve was considerably different than that for sector gates without buoyancy tanks, which happened to be the only guidance available prior to testing. The test results created new hydraulic torque curves for sector gates with buoyancy tanks which the designers used for their selection of an appropriately sized gate opening and closing actuator.
A FUNDAMENTAL TOOL
As the world learns to cope with the increasing forces of nature, coastal engineers will need to continue to embrace new technology while continuing to master the art of simulating and anticipating large events such as hurricanes. The practice of physical modeling in coastal engineering still remains one of the fundamental tools engineers and scientists need for design of risk reduction structures. A physical model can provide critical design information so that these structures can be designed with confidence.
Peter Grant, P.E., is Project Manager, Hydraulic Engineering & Modeling, AECOM; 206-6249349 or peter.grant@aecom.com .
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
Charting the Course for Safer Waterways The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is using vessel-based, GPS-enabled mobile mapping technology to improve navigation safety on the nation’s inland waterways. BY KENT E. STEWART, PSM, and JOHN C. GUSTIN IV, PSM
The Military Engineer • No. 672
A vessel equipped with a mobile mapping system scanned waterway features including bridges to record any detail that could impact navigation, including piers, lights, low steel and actual bridge deck structures.
the inland waterways for multiple USACE districts. The team’s combined expertise has provided USACE with the capability to capture spatial data and digital imagery of features below and above the waterline using multiple remote sensing systems.
A GIANT LEAP
The process of surveying and collecting navigation chart data has evolved rapidly in the last two decades. Survey crews in the 1990s relied solely on traditional techniques, using total stations, traverse methods and levels to collect critical points on the ground. GPS technology was introduced to the surveying industry in the early 1990s, but all these techniques
IMAGES COURTESY WOOLPERT INC.
The nation’s inland waterways support a vital transportation network with an adaptable and effective system of barge navigation channels. As the primary beneficiary of the nation’s rivers, the towing industry relies heavily on maps and charts to help navigate rivers and negotiate passage beneath bridges and other structures that support land-based road and rail transportation. Although the barge industry has been largely a safe mode of transport, a handful of accidents occurring over the last two decades are reminders of what can happen when there are inland waterway navigation problems. For example, in 1993, a barge struck the Big Bayou-Canot swing bridge and derailed an Amtrak train in northeast Mobile, Ala., killing 47 and injuring 103. In 2002, a tugboat captain lost control of a barge on the Arkansas River in Oklahoma and collided with the I-40 Webber Falls Bridge, killing 14. Incidents such as these illustrate the need for accurate charts of inland waterways. Charged by Congress in 2001 with the task of charting this transportation network, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has undertaken the challenge of developing Inland Electronic Navigation Charts (IENC) for all major navigable waterways in the nation. “The major goal of the IENC program is to help ensure the safety of navigation on the nation’s inland waterways,” according to Denise LaDue, USACE Louisville District IENC Production Manager. To assist with this program, USACE tapped the private-sector expertise of two firms—one specializing in geospatial and engineering services and the other in IENC mapping—to provide marine vessel-based hydrographic and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) scanning of
required physical access to the features being surveyed. In 2002, a GPS-enabled, marine vessel-based remote sensing and mapping system was introduced as a solution to capture position and attribute data of features from a moving platform. Combining this technology with a vehiclemounted LIDAR mobile mapping system, USACE utilized a comprehensive method for upgrading and maintaining IENC data.
MOBILE LIDAR SURVEYING
In August 2010, the IENC team kicked off its surveying efforts in the USACE Huntington District in Ohio and West Virginia. A total of 72 highway, railroad and pipeline bridges were surveyed on the 61
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Scanning and surveying hardware was custom mounted on the vessel.
Ohio, Kanawha, Big Sandy, Little Sandy, Elk, Muskingum and Pocatalico rivers. Data collection involved surveying all bridge features that could impact navigation, including piers, lights, low steel and the bridge deck structures. For each feature, the process made calculations of horizontal and vertical clearances. Each day, the team planned a survey route based on a strategy to group bridges within close proximity of each other. During the scanning of each bridge, a GPS base station occupied a control point established near one of the bridges central to the group of bridges being surveyed for the day. To ensure accuracy and to stay within range of the receiver on the vessel, the GPS base station could be no more than 5-mi from any bridge in the group. An aluminum mounting rack accommodated hardware including laser scanners, an inertial measurement unit, digital cameras and a GPS reference antenna on the survey vessel. To ensure the integrity of the sensor alignment, the hardware platform was transferred from a mobile scan van to a 28-ft survey vessel. The technology combines LIDAR laser scanners with a position and orientation system consisting of GPS, an inertial measurement unit and a distance measurement indicator. For maritime environments, the distance measurement indicator is not utilized. Inside the cabin, the vessel is equipped with a 50-amp power supply, multiple system control components, hydrographic survey software and Google Earth. Once the system is installed, a boresite data collection and calibration procedure is performed on the mobile mapping sys62
tem prior to scanning the waterways. A boresite is required to calibrate the precise angular relationships between the LIDAR sensor heads, digital cameras, GPS antennas and the inertial measurement unit-mounted position angles. Although X, Y and Z offsets are known, the boresite determines the heading, roll and pitch offsets. Boresite misalignment angles for marine surveys are calculated to .005°, equating to an error of .01-ft at 100-ft from the sensor—well within the accuracy specifications of the project requirements.
DATA COLLECTION AND POST-PROCESSING
To ensure that every feature of a bridge was comprehensively recorded in the data, the survey vessel made a scanning pass parallel to each side of the bridge in opposite directions. The vessel’s onboard system utilized both of its LIDAR scanning units to collect up to 400,000 points per second at the vessel’s maximum safe operating speed. Additionally, the inertial measurement unit in the position and orientation system allowed the system to operate during GPS outages caused by overhead obstructions such as bridges and tree canopies. The project team collected a massive amount of 3D, survey-grade, high-precision mapping data from the mobile platform. For hydrographic data collection below the waterline, the survey vessel is equipped with a positioning system for marine vessels, a high-resolution multi-beam sonar system and a side-scan sonar imagery system. At the end of each day, mapping system software was used to calculate the smooth best estimate trajectory (SBET) to georeference all points and attributes that had been gathered. Once an acceptable SBET was computed, the final LIDAR was calculated using a post-processing software suite. From there, LIDAR data was exported as .LAS files and edited in several software programs. From the point cloud data, GIS and CAD technicians extracted point and polygon features such as piers, bridge decks and navigation lights. Shapefiles were then created from the point and polygon features, and attribute data required by the IENC Encoding
Guide Edition 1 for all features was populated in a GIS mapping software package. These shapefiles can easily be integrated into the International Hydrographic Office’s S-57 international exchange format. Other deliverables included georeferenced digital imagery with links in Google Earth, MicroStation, AutoCAD and ESRI ArcGIS. These deliverables provide USACE with access to very granular details and photos of every feature surveyed. “By incorporating detailed information, particularly for features such as bridge piers and locks walls, which can be considered hazards to navigation, we ultimately have been able to help the towing industry (our primary user) to more safely transit the inland waterways,” stated LaDue.
Numerous opportunities exist to extend the value of the collected data for operation and maintenance of the waterways. BEYOND THE IENC
The resulting geospatial point data generated from LIDAR scanning of waterway features has value well beyond the context of the IENC. Numerous opportunities exist to extend the value of the collected data for operation and maintenance of the waterways. The data from the point cloud can be processed into valuable byproducts applicable to various USACE missions on the nation’s navigable waterways, including hydrology and hydraulics modeling, bank stabilization and erosion control, resource management, port security, and levee mapping and inspection. Kent E. Stewart, PSM, is Technology Specialist, Woolpert Inc.; 850-650-9563 ext. 117 or kent. stewart@woolpert.com . John C. Gustin IV, PSM, is President Seaside Engineering and Surveying Inc.; 850-650-9563 ext. 102 or john.gustin@seas-inc.com .
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District and City of Memphis officials place sandbags on a sand boil in Memphis, Tenn., in May 2011. USACE PHOTO BY PATRICK MOES
Emergency Action Plans
As the nation’s levee system ages and the risk to public health and safety mounts, communities can greatly mitigate risk through the use of a basic emergency action plan. BY 1ST LT. (P) JASON DAVIS, P.E., USAR When a fire bell rang, a bucket brigade formed. Long before modern fire fighting, this system worked because communities put a plan in place before the flames erupted. Communities today can take a page from this book by developing an emergency action plan (EAP) that will mitigate damage should an aging levee breach or crest. According to the most recent American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Report Card for American Infrastructure, “more than 85% of the nation’s estimated 100,000 miles of levees are locally owned and maintained. The reliability of many of these levees is unknown. Many are more than 50 years old and were originally built to protect crops from flooding. With an increase in development behind these levees, the risk to public health and safety from failure has increased.” ASCE points out communities are ofThe Military Engineer • No. 672
ten unaware of the risk of living behind levees and the likelihood of flooding is misunderstood. As a result, little is done to mitigate risk, despite the fact that damages from flooding in levee-related areas have been substantial. The National Committee on Levee Safety documented the damages following several major recent flood events: more than $272 million in the Midwest in 1993; $152 million in North Dakota and Minnesota in 1997; more than $16 billion after Hurricane Katrina; and more than half a billion in the Midwest in 2008. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates “that levees are found in approximately 22% of the nation’s 3,147 counties. Forty-three percent of the U.S. population lives in counties with levees.” Levees are either federally constructed and turned over to a local sponsor to operate and maintain or constructed by a local sponsor. This local sponsor—a municipality, county, levee district or drainage district—is responsi-
People who have spent their entire lives next to a levee and never seen it tested often have no sense of urgency. Many believe their levee will never be breached. ble for the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of the levee and, in turn, holds the responsibility for the development of a solid EAP. Anecdotal evidence suggests the majority of local sponsors don’t have an EAP, and if they do, it is not specific to levee flood fighting. People who have spent their entire lives next to a levee and never seen it tested often have no sense of ur63
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT gency. Many believe their levee will never be breached. To overcome this mindset, communities must be educated on the protection their levees provide and the consequences of a levee failure.
TRAINING AND EAP COMPONENTS
Training and the development of an EAP are vital first steps in reducing the risk of levee failure and mitigating damages if failure occurs. Classes provide instruction on assigning specific responsibilities, limits of responsibility, chain of command and common terminology. In cities with emergency contact and emergency readiness centers, staff members participate in classes, while in smaller communities training is provided to members of the fire department, the chief of police, or the county sheriff. Specific training on flood fighting and directing volunteers also is available. Once initial classes are completed, training is opened to the general public. Volunteers learn when they will be needed, receive training in proper sandbagging techniques, gain general information on how a levee operates and learn what to look for during a high-water event. Residents need to understand how a levee works. An example is sand boils; during a high-water event, water pressure creates seepage paths that begin to move levee embankment material. If left unchecked, the sand boils can continue to move material until piping through the levee causes a breach. This could happen behind someone’s house near the levee and the owner could be unaware of the danger. An EAP should be a living document that is regularly updated and improved, and it should have a basic framework similar to the following sequence: • event detection; • emergency level determination, with a plan that includes trigger events for each emergency level; • notification and communication, including a notification based on the determined emergency level, a script and an updated phone tree; • expected actions determined by emergency level; and, • termination of the event based on predetermined criteria. 64
An EAP also incorporates an emergency alert system that should include phone dialer, radio and television alerts, siren, door-to-door notification for people who need protection, and drills for what to do when alerts are issued. Radio, television and phone alerts are prepared to provide forecasted flood stages, notification of when volunteer services are needed and, if necessary, evacuation alerts when the levee will be breached. Every local sponsor should have a dedicated emergency manager or coordinator who is responsible for coordinating training and managing the EAP as well as notifying residents of upcoming flood fight training, workshops and other important levee information.
ENFORCING THE STANDARD OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Some states require a levee district to designate a chief engineer responsible for ensuring the levee performs as intended. For instance, duties of the chief engineer, as defined in Missouri, are “accept, approve and adopt or amend any plan for leveeing, draining, reclaiming or protecting the lands and property described in the decree of the court incorporating said district…” The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) requires local sponsors to submit all levee modifications for review and approval by USACE.
LOCAL SPONSOR RESPONSIBILITY
Along with a documented EAP and training for the community and volunteers, the local sponsor should see that levee staff and maintenance crews receive annual flood fight training. In addition, the local sponsor should ensure that he or she is in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirement that all personnel who enter confined areas (defined by OSHA under 29 CRF 1910) complete confined-entry training and follow procedures including toxic gas testing, proper harness equipment and an emergency evacuation plan. Although levee maintenance frequently requires entry into a manhole or other types of confined areas, many communities don’t realize compliance with this OSHA requirement is mandatory.
LEVEE ENCROACHMENTS
USACE provides all levee districts an operation and maintenance manual that details specific criteria for maintenance and operation of levee systems. The manual is provided to the local sponsor and addresses every level of maintenance, from the frequency of greasing sluice gates to their operation to mowing to closure structures for gaps. The manual also explains how to submit modifications to levee systems. For example, a utility company that wants to cross the levee must submit a plan to the local sponsor, who then submits the plan to USACE for approval. All levee modifications must be reviewed and receive USACE approval. In conducting inspections, the most common threats to levee integrity are encroachments. The local sponsor must take responsibility and fight for the levee on a daily basis to prevent encroachment creep and the destruction caused by trees, utilities, buildings, fences, and so on.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers the public an excellent EAP example. Essentially a fillin-the-blank document, it is one of the best ways for a community to get started in developing its plan. The USDA EAP is accessible at directives.sc.egov.usda.gov. FEMA offers online training classes under its Community Emergency Response Team Program, and the State Emergency Management Association offers unique training for each state. Most USACE districts have an emergency management section, a resource that can provide flood fight training and technical advice for levee operation and maintenance. Many local sponsors are under the misconception that another office is in charge of the EAP. A city may think the county has the plan and will handle any levee situation. Community stakeholders must assume that if they can’t put their hands on an EAP, it doesn’t exist. 1st Lt. (P) Jason Davis, P.E., USAR, is Vice President, Federal Services, Affinis Corp., and a member of the U.S. Army Reserve 733rd Engineer Facility Detachment; 913-239-1106 or jdavis@affinis.us .
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
Reducing Water Loss, Improving Efficiencies Water losses both real and apparent can be remedied through comprehensive leak surveys and meter testing, leading to improved efficiencies and preventing future damage.
Ensuring long-term mission viability for water systems at military installations requires efficient operations. However, efficient operations can be challenging with aging infrastructure that is prone to leaks and inaccurate metering. Reducing water loss through proactive means improves efficiencies by helping to ensure water purchased or produced gets to the end user and is accounted for accurately. The inefficiencies from systems pumping and treating water that is never delivered to their customers is an unnecessary cost that must be reduced throughout the country. In fact, Executive Order 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy and Transportation Management, signed by President Bush in January 2007, directs federal facilities to conduct water audits on its infrastructure. Water loss is best described as real losses, which include water main leaks and overflows, and apparent losses, which describe paper losses associated with meter inaccuracies and billing data. Implementing system improvements identified after conducting water audits coupled with leak surveys is a proactive means of reducing water loss and improving efficiencies. Additionally, locating and repairing leaks before they surface prevents damage to other infrastructure.
FINDING A WATER BALANCE
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) describes how to conduct a water audit in its Manual of Water Supply Practices. A standard water audit begins with identifying the source of supply and then quantifying and categorizing water use so that the water supply balances with the water used. Following this process allows the water supplier to differentiate between water The Military Engineer • No. 672
PHOTO COURTESY TUCKER, YOUNG, JACKSON, TULL INC.
BY DAVID GUASTELLA, P.E.
Testing residential water meters for metering accuracy is accomplished by identifying a statistical sample based on age and volume of water metered. These meters are then removed and bench tested in accordance with AWWA standards.
that generates revenue and the amount of water that does not. Revenue water is water that is billed. Nonrevenue water includes unbilled water that is authorized (construction water, hydrant use, etc.), real losses (leaks and overflows) and apparent losses (meter inaccuracies, billing errors, etc.). The major benefits in conducting a water audit stem from the ability to compute performance indicators for benchmarking the water system and determine the quantity and cost of the water lost. Implementing steps to reduce water loss reduces operating costs by helping ensure that water purchased or produced provides a beneficial use and typically reduces energy costs associated with treating, pumping and storing the water. Two major components in reducing water loss are conducting a leak survey and determining the accuracy of water meters.
Locating and repairing leaks and overflows before they surface prevents damage to other infrastructure. LEAK SURVEYS
Leak surveys are conducted with acoustic equipment to sound hydrants, valves and other system appurtenances and listen for noise associated with water leaking from the pipes. Once these locations are identified between the appurtenances, special equipment is used to pinpoint the leak location. When the leak loca65
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT tion is unearthed, an assessment can be performed to quantify the volume of the water lost based on the type of water main failure, size of the failure and the pressure. Proactively surveying for leaks and repairing them before they surface also saves money that would be associated with repairing other infrastructure. In most cases the payback on the cost of leak detection services versus the value of the water saved is six to eight times. In one recent case, a leak had resulted in the formation of a large cavity underneath the pavement of a roadway. Finding and repairing the leak not only saved money associated with the likely collapse of the road, but also prevented personal injury and property damage suffered by someone traveling the roadway.
Proactively surveying for leaks and repairing them before they surface also saves money that would be associated with repairing other infrastructure. In most cases the payback on the cost of leak detection services versus the value of the water saved is six to eight times.
PAPER LOSSES
Although not real losses, apparent or paper losses attributed to meter inaccuracies also contribute to water loss. Meters typically become inaccurate as they age. Also, commercial or industrial meters can become incorrectly sized when a change in the use of the facility requires less water than the meters’ optimum flow accuracy range, resulting in under-recording water 66
use. In cases where a community is supplied by a master meter, it is also prudent to test the water purveyor’s meter. Residential meters are best tested by identifying a statistical sample based on age and volume of water metered. These meters are then removed and bench tested in accordance with AWWA standards for low, medium and high flows. Furthermore, AWWA guidelines state that meters should be replaced once the meter falls outside of the accepted accuracy limits. For residential meters, the accepted accuracy range is from 98.5 percent to 101.5 percent. Due to the downturn in the economy and base realignments, it is not unusual for industrial or commercial facility meters to be oversized due to a change in the building’s use. An oversized meter will tend to under-record water use, and therefore the analysis must take this into account. Commercial meters are much larger and can be difficult to remove for testing. Therefore, an evaluation of the meter’s accuracy is typically based on billing data. Using flow rates calculated from billing data, the meters are analyzed for: • meter life, based on vendor specifications, average daily flow and the total projected volume through the meter; • safe operating capacity; and • short-duration flow calculations. Based on the evaluation, commercial meters that are suspect are identified for field testing to test their accuracy or analyzed using data loggers that record flow rates through the meter at one-minute intervals. The logger data is then evaluated to identify the correct size meter for the facility. In many cases, a community or base is supplied water from a municipality. In these cases, the water supplied typically comes through a master meter at the jurisdictional boundary between the water purveyor and the community or base. Because the master meter is used to determine the volume of water sold, it is critical to ensure the accuracy of this meter, as well. Master meters can be tested using insertion magnetic meters that are installed in line with the master meter. In some cases, valves in the distribution system
may need to be closed to be certain that the same volume of water passing through the master meter is also be monitored by the insertion magnetic meter.
RECENT FINDINGS
A recently-completed water loss program was conducted for a community of nearly 10,000 accounts with an average day demand of 2.5-million-G/day and a water loss of more than 20 percent. A leak survey was conducted concurrently with a water audit and substantial savings were realized. Reviewing the water system’s master meter records is one method of identifying possible leaks in the system. Increased use from leaks in a system is best observed by reviewing nighttime flows when water use is at its lowest and most consistent. One significant leak was discovered during the leak detection program and repaired. Prior to the repair, nighttime flow was approximately 2,000-G/minute. After the leak was repaired, the nighttime flow dropped to 1,000-G/minute. This one leak of nearly 1.5-million-G/day was estimated to have leaked for approximately two months at a cost of water equal to $85,000. In another community supplied through a master meter, an insertion magnetic meter was installed to verify the master meter’s accuracy. The investigation found that the flow readings from the insertion meter were approximately 12 percent lower than the flow readings from the water purveyor. As a result, the master meter was further evaluated and eventually replaced.
CONCLUSION
Conducting water loss programs is cost-effective and can improve operating efficiencies, especially at facilities with aging infrastructure. Implementing these programs at military installations will not only save money and protect other infrastructure from damage associated with leaking water mains, it will also help preserve water resources. David Guastella, P.E., is Vice President, Tucker, Young, Jackson, Tull Inc.; 313-9630612 or dguastel@tyjt.com . The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
A Hogan Preparatory Academy student performs water quality testing on the Blue River in Kansas City, Mo., at an educational event in fall 2010 that was presented by the Blue River Watershed Association and sponsored by project contractor HDR. The nonprofit association provides water quality education activities for area students. PHOTO COURTESY HDR
Blue River Going Green The newest segment of the Blue River Channel Modification Project, the USACE Kansas City District’s first major civil works design-build project, incorporates sustainable flood control practices. BY ALAN E. WOLFE, JOHN D. HOLM and TIM FOBES With its banks lined with boathouses and resorts that served as social and cultural meeting points, the Blue River in Kansas City, Mo., was once a treasured spot of beauty and recreation. That was more than a century ago. As the 20th century progressed, the Blue River’s beauty languished and gave way to industry. The once scenic river and its floodplain became a major source of flooding. Flooding and water management has been a major a concern of Kansas City since the disastrous floods of the 1920s. Then, record flooding in 1961 brought about a congressional resolution to study the problem. Consequently, Congress auThe Military Engineer • No. 672
thorized a flood control project in 1970 that eventually included recommendations for upstream reservoirs in both Missouri and Kansas and channel improvements from 63rd Street downstream to the mouth at the Missouri River. However, upstream reservoirs in Kansas failed to gain local approval and sponsorship, and the project was reduced in scope to the downstream channelization only. Construction of the re-channelization project has progressed in a series of segments since 1983. The Blue River Channel Modification Project is a joint effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Kansas City District and the City of Kansas City to provide flood mitigation on the Blue River, which flows 41 river miles through the Kansas City metropolitan
area. Channel improvements have been focused on the lower reaches of the Blue River along a 12.5-mi segment to reduce flooding to adjacent properties. Nine channel segments have been completed since the project began. The ninth segment, which stretches about 4,000-ft from 53rd Street to the confluence with Brush Creek—includes approximately $15 million in improvements and was completed in 2009. From Brush Creek, the river flows through previously constructed segments to the Missouri River approximately 10mi downstream.
UNIQUE PROJECT FEATURES
The ninth segment of the project has several unique features. Among them, it is the first major civil works project managed by the USACE Kansas City District 67
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT using the design-build approach. This segment also incorporates green solutions on a large scale to be compatible with the authorized flood control purposes. Extensive aquatic and terrestrial environmental habitat enhancements were designed and constructed to work in a flood control channel under the extreme hydraulic conditions and strict conveyance requirements of traditional USACE flood control channel conditions. These enhancements are part of a growing trend in sustainable flood control and water management practices, requested by local sponsors, like Kansas City, and the general public to address ecological and environmental needs in conjunction with flood management.
PLANNING PRECEDES CONSTRUCTION
Beginning with the end in mind was important to the success of the Blue River Channel Modification Project’s ninth segment. A basic concept plan view for green solutions was requested by Kansas City officials and submitted as part of the bid. The city’s environmental goal for this segment was to reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants and address natural resources. The city wanted a greener project that would be more in line with its overall environmental strategy. Following the project award, the city hosted a public meeting with stakeholders to gain feedback on a proposed green solutions concept. Using stakeholder input, a revised environmental enhancement plan including in-stream habitat features, plantings with native plants, and stormwater management features was prepared and taken to preliminary and final design. The environmental enhancement design plans are incorporated into the channel flood protection design. Prior to starting clearing activities, the team submitted erosion control plans to the city to obtain a land disturbance permit. Once issued, contractors began clearing the site and finished the design of the channel. The bulk of the design work was completed in the spring and summer of 2008. As clearing proceeded, the river banks were cleared of 100,000-T of solid waste that had resulted from years of unregulated disposal. Many hours were spent planning and coordinating design 68
and construction activities, and final construction documents were submitted to USACE in September 2008. Construction of the channel started soon after. During summer 2008, a major water transmission line relocation was planned, designed and approved in anticipation of a narrow winter construction window. The team worked with adjacent property owners to address any concerns and keep them informed of local construction issues, enabling USACE and the City of Kansas City to quickly address owner concerns about access, utility interruptions and tree removal. Thanks to the design-build approach, the project was completed two years after the contract was awarded, several months ahead of schedule, and about one year sooner than a traditional design-bidbuild project would have allowed.
“Applying green solutions to stream restoration and bank stabilization projects is common. Incorporating green solutions into large flood control projects is somewhat unique.” GREEN SOLUTIONS
Applying green solutions to stream restoration and bank stabilization projects is common. Incorporating green solutions into large flood control projects is somewhat unique. Extensive environmental enhancement features on the ninth segment of the Blue River Channel Modification Project focus on aquatic habitat, native vegetation planting, tree preservation and water quality. Plans for aquatic habitat include incorporating sustainable in-stream structures that support aquatic life such as fish and aquatic insects. These structures include engineered rock riffles, boulder clusters and the adaptive reuse of cleared trees as rootwads, locked logs and lunker logs.
In the past, the downstream sections of the flood control channel included removal of significant tree canopy in order to widen the channel and stabilize its banks. However, by removing the trees, many ecological functions, as well as much bird and riparian habitat, was removed. USACE and the City asked the project team to evaluate means to reestablish habitat that is compatible with the river’s flood conveyance function. Tree canopy removed from the banks was replaced with willow stakes on a low-lying channel bench next to the water’s edge, which will eventually produce a canopy of willow trees and other opportunistic growth along the river channel. In addition, seeding of native grasses and wildflowers, trees, shrubs and wetland plugs was incorporated on the upper channel banks and overbanks, in a stormwater wetland and in several vegetated bioswales.
FROM BROWN TO GREEN TO BLUE
The bare and brown edges of the reworked river channel are already growing into lush, green banks. With solid waste removed and native plantings established, the water draining to the river is cleaner, with runoff filtered by the environmental enhancements, which support improved fish and wildlife habitat. The Blue River now serves as an outdoor environmental resource for urban youth education by local watershed advocates. In the end, the recently-completed ninth segment of the Blue River Channel Modification Project is a gem in the midst of a much larger project and a key step to achieving the goal of more sustainable flood control on a green Blue River.
Alan E. Wolfe is President and General Manager, ESI Contracting Corp.; 816-523-5081 or aew@esicontractingcorp.com . John D. Holm is Chief, Civil Works Branch, USACE Kansas City District; 816-389-3111 or john.d.holm@usace.army.mil . Tim Fobes is Environmental Scientist, HDR Engineering Inc.; 816-360-2700 ext. 2754 or tim. fobes@hdrinc.com .
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
Oyster Restoration in the Northeast The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division has embarked on a program to restore oyster populations—and improve water quality and shoreline stability—at locations throughout the region. BY LOU FIOTO, JUSTIN WARD and ROSELLE HENN Since the founding of the United States, military engineers have worked to ensure the waterways of the country are healthy enough to support maritime law enforcement, commerce and recreation. Although engineers have had many partners along the way, one overlooked partner has received much attention recently for its success in clearing the water and stabilizing shorelines: the Eastern Oyster. Although once found in abundance in the waterways of the northeastern United States, oysters have been hard hit by disease, over-harvesting, poaching and polluted water. This has so devastated the oyster that the weakened population is no longer self-sustaining. The absence of oyster beds along with the stabilizing seagrasses they promote has caused rapid shoreline erosion in the northeast, which threatens local real estate, increases the cost of navigation channel maintenance and potentially jeopardizes the fisheries industry. Sediments released through erosion smother remaining oyster beds, adding to the challenges facing their survival. The North Atlantic Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is working with state, federal and non-governmental partners throughout the region to help the keystone species of our northeast waterways make a comeback in three principal areas: the country’s two largest estuaries—the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware Bay—and the harbor estuary of New York City, N.Y.
HOW OYSTERS HELP
Oysters help water quality and management in two ways. One, oysters build reefs. These reefs serve as a unique and safe habitat for a variety of fish, shrimp, crabs and invertebrates and also serve as The Military Engineer • No. 672
Adult oysters taken from an oyster restoration sanctuary reef in Virginia Beach’s Lynnhaven River play host to several baby oysters, or spat. U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY MARK W. HAVILAND
natural breakwaters that absorb wave energy and provide a protected marsh area where marine life can thrive. This can ultimately lead to improved erosion control and improved fisheries. Secondly, oysters filter feed, which provides two main water quality improvements. Filter feeding takes plankton and particulates from the water column and delivers them to the seafloor, where they are consumed by other marine life. It also helps circulate nutrients, preventing the accumulation of elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are the main nutrients in fertilizer and, when not circulated, can create dead zones in which no marine life can survive. The improved water quality from these two services allows more sunlight to penetrate to the seafloor, allowing seagrasses to grow, further stabilizing shorelines and further promoting marine ecosystems.
FOCUS AREA 1: THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Since the passing of the Water Resources Development Act 1986, the USACE North Atlantic Division’s Baltimore and Norfolk districts have been working with state and industry partners to construct substrate to establish sustainable breeding populations of native oysters. In constructing an oyster reef, substrate is the supporting foundation that provides vertical relief and a platform to which the spat (juvenile oysters) can attach. Fossil shell is the preferred, but scarce, substrate. As part of an effort to develop a longterm plan for large-scale oyster restoration, in 2009 USACE also announced a “nativeonly” strategy that ruled out non-native Asian oysters as a restoration alternative for fear that they would threaten the Chesapeake Bay’s already stressed ecosystem. Since 1997, the Baltimore District has constructed 459 acres of reef habitat 69
U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY ILDIKO REISENBIGLER
WATER PLANNING & MANAGEMENT
Diana Kohtio, a biologist with the USACE New York District, places oysters on an artificially-created reef off Soundview Park in Bronx, N.Y., with students from the New York Harbor School, Rocking the Boat and other partners.
in multiple tributaries in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. In the southern portion of the bay, the Norfolk District executed the Lynnhaven Ecosystem Restoration Project, which included 58 acres of oyster habitat and earned the Coastal America Partnership Award in 2009. The Norfolk District also executed the Great Wicomico River Oyster Restoration Project, which at 85 acres was one of the world’s largest restored oyster sanctuary reef network. Most of the Chesapeake Bay reefs were constructed using dredged fossil shell. The Chesapeake Bay Native Oyster Restoration Master Plan is being developed collaboratively by the Baltimore and Norfolk districts in partnership with the state of Maryland. It is being coordinated with several federal agencies and will identify tributaries most likely to develop sustainable populations of oysters with the implementation of large-scale reef construction, seeding and other restoration activities. In February 2011, many areas of the bay reported the highest spat average since 1997.
FOCUS AREA 2: THE DELAWARE BAY
In the Delaware Bay, the USACE Philadelphia District worked with the partners of the Delaware Estuary Program to initiate a shell planting program in 2005. From 2005 to 2008, the district worked with 70
the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and others to plant almost 1.8 million bushels of clam shells—waste from local clam processing plants—on 1,044 acres of the bay. The shells provided a desirable clean, hard substrate for spat to attach to and grow and also alleviated storage and disposal costs to the clam companies, effectively turning a waste product into a useful commodity. Studies of the $5 million program showed steady oyster bed improvements and, in 2008, oyster beds appeared to be stabilized. In 2008, this oyster restoration program received the 2008 Coastal America Partnership Award given by the White House for successfully stabilizing the oyster beds of the Delaware Bay.
FOCUS AREA 3: THE NEW YORK HARBOR ESTUARY
Oysters are a part of New York history. Before the last oyster bed was shut down in 1927, if someone said they were going to New York, it has been reported that the most likely response was “Enjoy the oysters.” Since 1927, oyster carts have been replaced by hot dog carts and “The Big Oyster” now goes by “The Big Apple.” But through USACE’s leadership in the collaboratively-developed Hudson River Estuary
Comprehensive Restoration Plan, residents of New York can anticipate the restoration of this important natural resource by 2050. The intent is to restore habitats that will be preserved as sanctuaries. The Comprehensive Restoration Plan, adopted by the Hudson Estuary Program and more than 20 other partners, takes a broad vision for restoring a mosaic of habitats to the estuary. A panel of expert oyster scientists recommended that the best way to determine the feasibility of restoring oysters to their historic numbers was to build several experimental smallscale reefs in a natural environment where they are exposed to predators and other biological and physical interactions, and observe their development. This approach of optimizing the scale has proven to be successful in USACE’s oyster restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay. If deemed feasible, the USACE New York District will construct reefs at five locations (with about 5,000 shells set with spat for each site) and provide vessel and team support to assist in data collection. The ongoing, two-year placement of spat and reefs addresses the questions of where and how sustainable oyster populations can be reintroduced in New York Harbor and the lower Hudson River. Through cohesive collaboration with the various entities working on the program, USACE seeks to provide important information that will guide policymakers in decisions affecting the conditions of the harbor and river far into the future. The various partnerships as well as the news of increasing spat numbers—and possible disease tolerance—are encouraging. But oysters aren’t out of the muck yet. Federal, state, academic and industry programs must continue for several years, even through tough economic times, before results can be labeled as bona fide, and before New York City can once again be “The Big Oyster.
Lou Fioto and Justin Ward are Public Affairs Specialists and Roselle Henn is Environmental Planner, USACE North Atlantic Division. They can be reached at 347-370-4550 or dll-cenadpa@nad02.usace.army.mil .
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF MEGA-PROJECTS
Life After BRAC in San Antonio After four short years, the tri-service Joint Program Management Office is on the verge of completing its roughly $2 billion Base Realignment and Closure construction program.
After compressing roughly $2 billion and more than 6-million-ft2 of projects into fewer than four years of construction, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program in San Antonio, Texas, is nearing its conclusion. The magnitude and pace of the program were dictated by requirements of the 2005 BRAC law, which called for completing BRAC projects by September 15, 2011. Additionally, many facilities were built to accommodate consolidation of U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force training missions, necessitating integration of the facility standards of all three service branches. With total construction placement approaching 95 percent, only a few of the larger projects remain to be completed by the deadline.
JOINT MANAGEMENT
Bringing the program to this point has been largely attributable to the distinctive management approach that was employed. The Department of Defense established a new organization solely to supervise the design and construction efforts of the BRAC construction surge at San Antonio’s three military installations: Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Air Force Base and Lackland Air Force Base. This organization, the Joint Program Management Office (JPMO), was formed by agreement of the Service Engineer Chiefs. At the height of the program, JPMO numbered as many as 200 individuals, including representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE), the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) as well as private-sector contractors. While it has primarily received direction from the USACE Fort Worth District, JPMO also has been supported by more than 400 personnel from The Military Engineer • No. 672
USACE PHOTO
BY BRIAN DWYER
Medical Instructional Facilities 3 and 4 of the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) on Fort Sam Houston, Texas, are two of numerous San Antonio-area Base Realignment and Closure facilities that have achieved some level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
various USACE districts and AFCEE and NAVFAC offices, as well as several architectural and engineering firms. The tri-service nature of JPMO allowed access to a broad array of contracting tools and funding resources that typically would not be accessible by a single service. The presence of Army, Navy and Air Force representatives strengthened coordination across the service branches and enhanced collaboration with end users of the facilties. In several cases, project delivery teams incorporated input from end user representation in planning, preparation and throughout contract execution. Additionally, individual area offices were established within the JPMO framework to focus greater oversight on the larger, more complex projects. Eventually, these area offices were all reorganized under the leadership of the Engineering and Construction division of the USACE Fort Worth District. This arrangement allowed for cross-flow of personnel and resources
between area offices to more effectively respond to the dynamic workload in San Antonio.
FINISHING STRONG
The most prominent San Antonio BRAC projects still to be completed are located on Fort Sam Houston. The project to expand and renovate Brooke Army Medical Center, which will become the San Antonio Military Medical Center, is maintaining a schedule that would allow it to meet its BRAC completion requirements. The hospital’s new 5,000-space parking structure opened at the end of March, while work continues at a rapid rate on the seven-story, 760,000-ft2 tower addition and the 300,000-ft2 of interior renovations to the existing facility. More than 5 million work hours have been performed on the project without a losttime accident. The prolific construction progress is evident from the fact that the project reached 3 million work hours per71
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF MEGA-PROJECTS formed without a lost-time accident less than a year ago, in November 2010. Across the post, construction also is moving quickly on the campus of facilities being developed to accommodate the relocation of Headquarters, U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) from the Washington, D.C., area. The campus includes a new 168,000-ft2 IMCOM headquarters building located in the middle of three historic structures that are being renovated to provide additional space for IMCOM. One of the buildings is occupied, while it is anticipated that the other two will be ready for occupancy by the end of summer. Across the street from IMCOM headquarters, a new instructional facility has been built for the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC), a subcommand of IMCOM. Nearby, the historic Fort Sam Houston Theater is also being renovated to become part of the IMCOM campus. It will provide a new home for the FMWRC’s Army Entertainment Division, which produces the traveling U.S. Army Soldier Show. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the entire IMCOM campus of facilities is slated for Aug. 19. Not far away, representatives of the 502nd Air Base Wing expected to move into a new 26,000-ft2 headquartersbuilding this summer. Under the new organizational structure of Joint Base San Antonio, the 502nd has merged the installation support functions of Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Joint Base headquarters is scheduled for Aug. 5.
ON THE MOVE TO GREEN
Elsewhere on post, the last of the 14 structures that compose the new Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) haver begun being utilized, as more training courses continue to be integrated into campus operations. METC’s roughly 2-million-ft2 of facilities include five Medical Instructional Facilities (MIF), three dormitories, a dining facility and the headquarters and administration building. More facilities have become available for use in recent months. The METC physical fitness center was made ready 72
for occupancy at the end of April, and Navy personnel began utilizing the upgraded aquatic center at the beginning of May. METC has consolidated the enlisted medical training programs of all branches of the military, providing instruction for a variety of medical specialists, such as combat medics, Navy corpsmen, radiology technicians and biomedical equipment technologists. The Joint Center of Excellence for Battlefield Health and Trauma Research formally opened earlier this year next to Brooke Army Medical Center. This 150,000-ft2 facility was built to combine the research programs of all service branches that are aimed at enhancing combat casualty care. To the north, missions are moving into the 181,000-ft2 Tri-Service Research Laboratory, which houses research programs that address the health and safety effects of exposure to a variety of stressors in the field. Beyond merely keeping projects on schedule, the San Antonio BRAC program continues to be recognized for incorporating sustainability into its projects. All BRAC facilities have been built according to standards that would allow them to qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Some projects that have gone through the certification process have exceeded this standard. Most recently, Medical Instructional Facilities 3 and 4 of the METC complex have been certified as LEED Gold structures. The administration center completed at Randolph Air Force Base to incorporate five Civilian Personnel Offices also has been formally certified LEED Gold. The METC dining facility is a certified LEED Silver facility, while the certification process is proceeding for as many as nine other METC structures. Elsewhere, the Fort Sam Houston Primary Health Clinic is being evaluated for LEED Silver certification, and all IMCOM projects are also on track to be certified as LEED Silver, or higher.
stantial number of Military Construction (MILCON) and Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization projects also have been taking place during the same time period. Combined with the BRAC jobs, these additional projects have brought the total amount of construction work occurring between FY2006 and FY2011 to roughly $3.3 billion in projects that represent approximately 10.8-million-ft2 of facilities. Although BRAC construction concludes in September, military construction in San Antonio will not fade away anytime soon. A large amount of nonBRAC work is underway and more is expected in the next several years. One of the more prominent non-BRAC projects involves construction of the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Care Center, which will replace 54-year-old Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base. The 681,000-ft2 replacement facility will be the largest outpatient clinic in the Department of Defense. It is being constructed in phases through 2014, after which demolition of the medical center will begin. The size of the replacement project and the growing number of additional MILCON projects at Lackland Air Force Base prompted a reorganization of the area office structures supporting San Antonio. The Lackland Area Office was formed to support non-medical projects at Lackland Air Force Base and Laughlin Air Force Base. The Lackland Medical Area Office was formed to manage the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Care Center Project. A GS15 hospital director was recruited to work in tandem with the GS-15 construction manager charged with leading the area office. The projects at Lackland Air Force Base are part of the $200 million to $300 million in project work that has been proposed at San Antonio installations for each year from FY2012 through FY2015. While these figures don’t approach BRAC spending amounts, they stand to keep the military’s investment in San Antonio at substantial levels in the foreseeable future.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Brian Dwyer is Senior Public Affairs Specialist, San Antonio Base Realignment and Closure Program; brian.dwyer@usace. army.mil .
While BRAC has accounted for the bulk of construction activity at San Antonio military installations in recent years, a sub-
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF MEGA-PROJECTS
Status Report: The Guam Military Buildup The relocation of roughly 8,000 U.S. Marines and their dependents from the Japanese island of Okinawa has been called the largest and most expensive military program ever.
A casual look at a map of the Pacific region reveals the important strategic position of Guam in relation to the defense posture of the United States. As the westernmost territory of the U.S., Guam offers the advantage of time and position in response to any military threat or natural disaster requiring humanitarian assistance in the western Pacific. Military planners must consider threats of the future to be different from anything experienced in the history of the nation. Our Asian neighbors are becoming strong both economically as well as militarily, and shifts in leadership or ideology in the years ahead have the potential of causing great harm to our friends in the region and to ourselves. To remain strategically engaged with our Pacific Rim neighbors, the U.S. must maintain a credible military presence and be prepared for any threat that might emerge. The United States has military bases in a number of Asian nations, and some military actions require the prior approval of the host nation. This requirement, under certain circumstances, can be an unacceptable detriment. However, because the island has been a U.S. territory since the conclusion of the SpanishAmerican War in 1898, restrictions of this type do not exist in the case of Guam.
DEFENSE POLICY REVIEW INITIATIVE
Military planners from the U.S. and Japan in 2005 launched the Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI), which eventually led to a military buildup on Guam. A key element of the DPRI was the need to shut down or reduce the tempo of military activity at the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, located in Ginowan, the current principal city of Okinawa. Commercial activity has developed around the The Military Engineer • No. 672
PHOTOS COURTESY AMORIENT ENGINEERING
BY JOHN M. ROBERTSON, P.E., M.SAME
The construction of a Joint Region Marianas headquarters facility for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Army is one of many projects included in the Guam buildup program that have already been completed.
perimeter of the base, and it has become over crowded. The plan calls for relocating approximately 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents to Guam and for the relocation of the remaining Marines to Fort Schwab, located in a less populated area to the northeast. The cost of relocating elements of the Marine Corps from Okinawa to Guam is estimated to be $10.2 billion, of which the Japanese government has agreed to fund about 59 percent. Funding for the relocation of the remaining Marine Corps elements to another location in Okinawa is to be borne fully by the Japanese government. The agreement was signed for the American side in May 2006 by Richard P. Lawless, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs, and ratified in February 2010 by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Japanese counterpart. In addition to relocating Marines from Okinawa, the Guam military buildup comprises other aspects including strengthening the capability of the U.S. Air
Force at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, expanding and improving shore facilities at U.S. Naval Base Guam, providing training and other facilities for the Submarine Squadron, establishing a transient nuclear aircraft carrier berthing facility, replacing U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, and standing up an Army air defense capability, among others. The overall expenditure for the military buildup has thus grown to about $20 billion.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The Guam military buildup has been called the largest and most expensive military program ever. The preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which was carried out by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and contractor personnel, required approximately two years to complete. The draft EIS was issued in November 2009 and the final EIS was issued in July 2010. The Record of Decision, signed by Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations 73
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF MEGA-PROJECTS & Environment), in September 2010, was intended to trigger the start of construction on FY2010 and FY2011 projects. However, DPRI projects were not permitted to proceed until March 2011, when a Programmatic Agreement covering DPRI projects with the State Historic and Preservation Office was signed. The starts of several other approved projects are being delayed pending reconfiguration to allow building within a smaller footprint.
ACQUISITION OF DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACT SERVICES
NAVFAC made an early decision that most projects included in the Guam relocation program would be constructed using the design-build method of delivery. NAVFAC also decided for sake of efficiency in the procurement process to use multiple-award construction contracts (MACC). Thus the term DB MACC has come into common usage by those involved in the Guam military buildup. A number of construction contractors with their design teams have become pre-qualified through competition as DB-MACC firms. The competition was based on usual parameters employed by NAVFAC and price for one or more “seed projects.” The DB MACC firms will compete for individual task orders based on price alone, as technical competence has already been established. MACCs that will be used to procure services for the Guam buildup include the following: • HUBZone DB MACC, amounting to $400 million over five years. Nine firms selected. • Small Business MACC, amounting to $500 million, with projects ranging from $1 million to $15 million. Six firms selected. • 8(a) MACC, amounting to $100 million. Six firms selected. • Unrestricted DB MACC, MACC contracts amounting to $4 billion over five years. Individual task orders will range from $15 million to $300 million. Eight firms selected. A number of design-build contracts and design-bid-build contracts are expected to be awarded to firms other than the DB MACC firms. 74
CHALLENGES TO THE PROGRAM
A program of this magnitude can be expected to encounter challenges. Some have already emerged. For instance, a vocal minority of Guam’s citizens is opposed to the military buildup. These well-intentioned individuals oppose the changes, and their “not in my back yard” attitude is the same as can be expected in any community. The silent majority, those in the local community who favor the military buildup, see a great boost to the local economy as a direct result of the military buildup. The economic stimulus will place more tax revenue in the coffers of the government of Guam and lead to a much improved social and cultural well being for all Guam residents. In Japan, a large number of Okinawa’s citizens and officials of the local government oppose the relocation of Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to another location in the area and would prefer all Marines to leave the island. Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates had stated that without a resolution to the Futenma issue, there could be no partial relocation of Marines to Guam. The Japanese Prime Minister and his government has agreed to follow the plan as originally conceived and convince the people of Okinawa to accept it as being in their national interest. Complicating matters in Japan, the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami generated a disaster of enormous proportion in the country’s northeast section. The recovery mission will require enormous resources and expense, and some American officials have feared that this tragic event would derail the Guam buildup program. Nevertheless, Japanese officials have thus far expressed their opinion that the military realignment will occur simultaneously with the disaster recovery. Lastly, the weakened American economy could possibly derail the Guam military buildup or curtail certain parts of it. There is a mood in Washington today to cut cost wherever possible, including military budgets. Senators of both political parties have spoken out in favor of altering the program for Guam as set forth in the final EIS as a means of reducing deficit spend-
The repair and upgrade of the north and south runways at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, is one of many projects included in the Guam buildup program that have already been completed.
ing. This will play out over the months ahead in the debate over the Armed Services Authorization Act for 2012.
THE WAY AHEAD
A number of buildup projects have been completed over the past few years, including upgraded runways and new climate-controlled hangars at Andersen Air Force base, a new Joint Region Marianas Headquarters facility, upgraded wharves at Apra Harbor and new family housing and bachelor-enlisted quarters at Naval Base Guam. Among the projects currently underway are a new substation and power distribution system and a ramp apron and taxiway at Andersen Air Force Base and additional family housing facilities at Naval Base Guam. Projects in the President’s Budget for FY 2012, subject to congressional approval, amount to $368 million. This is greatly reduced from original projections. The program as originally announced in 2006 anticipated relocation of Marine Corps elements to Guam starting in 2014. The pace of construction has, however, been slowed in recognition of the need to allow local Guam infrastructure to keep pace with or stay in front of military construction.
John M, Robertson, P.E., M.SAME, is Principal Engineer, AmOrient Engineering; 671-4723301 or john.robertson@amorient.com .
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
FY2012 SERVICES
ENGINEERS IN ACTION
Flood Fight 2011
As the annual spring snow melt combined with heavy rains resulted in extensive flooding throughout the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys this spring, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supported other federal, state and local agencies to protect property and critical infrastructure.
A. Engineers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) St. Paul District and the North Dakota National Guard fight a leaking Hesco basket in Valley City. The St. Paul District assisted the community’s efforts to stem the flooding from the Sheyenne River. B. Paul Johnson, a USACE St. Paul District engineer, surveys heights in Valley City, N.D., on April 13. C. USACE, its contractors, and city and county officials discuss where contingency levees are needed in Valley City on April 15. (USACE photos A-C by Shannon Bauer) D. Brent Watkins, a USACE Natural Resource Specialist, inspects levees between Jacksonport and Newport, Ark. Personnel from the USACE Greers Ferry Lake Project Office worked with area levee boards to monitor area levees around the clock from April 28 to May 7. (USACE photo by Laurie Driver) E. Maj. Gen. John Peabody, USA, Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Commander, and Phil Tilly, the district’s Executive Officer, review the flood flight strategy on May 5 in a forward command and control vehicle deployed to Paducah, Ky. As a result of heavy rainfall during the month of April, new floods of record were established throughout the lower Ohio and mid-Mississippi River basins. (USACE photo by Jacqueline Y. Tate)
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The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
F. With the help of more than 250 volunteers from surrounding communities, the USACE St. Louis District flood fight team at Wappapello Lake, Mo., worked overnight April 27 to place sandbags along the dam’s emergency spillway. The sandbagging effort allowed the construction of a rock dike designed to keep the high lake level from going over the spillway and damaging Missouri Highway T and other infrastructure. (USACE photo) G. Soldiers with the Missouri National Guard work to fill sandbags using both traditional manpower and a USACE sandbagging machine. Experts deployed from the USACE Kansas City District to assist the Missouri National Guard with its operation and maintenance. By mid-May, the USACE Memphis District had issued nearly two million sandbags for communities within its area of operations to help with this year’s historic flood-fighting efforts. (USACE photo by Chris Gardner) H. Staff Sgt. Matthew Hebl and Staff Sgt. Luke Christians of the 815th Engineer Company, North Dakota National Guard, and Chris Denis of the Cass County Sheriff’s Department wade into floodwaters near Harwood, N.D., on April 9. The soldiers and deputy were assisting an elderly man evacuate his home. (North Dakota Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp)
The Military Engineer • No. 672
77
LETTER FROM . . .
GOVERNMENT NEWS
MILITARY NEWS
SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Board of Direction Approves New Strategic Plan
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
LEADER PROFILE
NEW PRODUCTS
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
The 2011 Joint Engineer Training Conference ENGINEERS IN ACTION PERSPECTIVE FY2012 SERVICES & Expo attracted more HISTORICAL than 2,400 attendees, a record for the annual SAME national conference. Thanks to the Fort Worth Post, which co-hosted the conference with SAME HQ, the SAME HQ staff and volunteers from both the Fort Worth and Dallas Posts. The various networking events, Honors Luncheon, Society Ball and exhibit hall were all well attended, as were the six technical tracks. Please see pages 78-80 of this issue of The Military Engineer for photos of these events. A meeting of the SAME Board of Direction held Friday, May 27, following the conclusion of the conference resulted in several major actions that are detailed here. New Strategic Plan. The SAME Board of Direction reviewed, modified and approved a new Strategic Plan at the meeting. The draft was prepared by a Board of Direction task force following a strategic planning meeting hosted in March by Rear Adm. Christopher J. Mossey, P.E., CEC, USN, the incoming SAME President. The previous strategic plan was prepared in 2006 and guided SAME through 2011. The new plan aims to preserve all that is still considered relevant to the future of SAME while establishing new goals and objectives that will best provide direction to SAME in the coming years. The new plan is a four-year plan that will allow SAME to initiate a five-year cycle in 2015. (See pages 45-48 for the complete SAME 2011-2015 Strategic Plan.) A major change in the plan was redefining the goals. The Relevance goal was replaced with a Leadership and Mentoring goal to reflect recent changes in the SAME mission statement and the emphasis SAME is placing on these topics. The Relationships and Recognition goals also were combined. Most of the objectives were retained, a few deleted and several objectives added, particularly to support the Leadership and Mentoring goal. The next step is to realign the Post Streamers in accordance with the new Strategic Plan. This will be accomplished by a board task force and presented to the board at its fall meeting in December, allowing new Streamer criteria to be effective in 2012. Seabee Museum. The Seabee Historical Foundation, under the leadership of Rear Adm. Benjamin Montoya, USN (Ret.), successfully raised more than $12 million to design and construct a new Seabee Museum at Port Hueneme, Calif. The museum is scheduled to open in late July, but the Foundation has continued working to raise the more than $9 million needed to create displays within the museum to properly celebrate Seabee history. As SAME Executive Director, I presented a proposal to the board to make a donation to the museum. The board approved a $25,000 donation that I will present at a dinner hosted by the Foundation at Port Hueneme in late July. The donation will allow SAME to be represented on the Donor Wall in the museum. The board was proud to have the opportunity to support one of the major components of the military engineer community.
SOCIETY NEWS
78
Distinguished Post Criteria. As a result of the decline in the number of Distinguished Posts in 2010, I recommended to the board a change to the criteria. Currently, to be considered a Distinguished Post, a Post must submit a financial report by March 1 and must have submitted a nomination for a member to become a Fellow or to receive an SAME national award in addition to winning the appropriate number of Streamers. It became apparent that many Posts did an outstanding job in winning Streamers, reflecting their contribution to the SAME mission, goals and objectives, yet did not achieve Distinguished Post status due to failure to submit the financial report on time or to submit a nomination for Fellowship or national award. The board approved the elimination of these submittals from the criteria so becoming a Distinguished Post will be based solely on winning the appropriate number of Streamers. Small Post Website Initiative. The Director of Communications and Marketing presented to the board the prototype website for the Small Post website initiative, which will provide support to SAME Small Posts in hosting and updating their website and will, in turn, enable SAME members to more easily learn about and participate in Post activities. Please visit the SAME Big Sky Post website at www.same.org/bigsky and take a look. The same site format will be used by any of the 38 SAME Small Posts that choose to participate in this initiative. While funding to initiate this project came from surpluses generated in 2009 and 2010, SAME HQ will budget the funds necessary to sustain this contract in 2011 and beyond. The only requirement is that Small Posts must provide the contractor with content on a monthly basis so that the contractor can update the website. SAME Staffing. As reported to the board during the May 27 meeting, SAME HQ will hire a part-time staff member to provide administrative support to the three SAME councils and seven SAME mission committees. This support is needed to help these volunteer organizations maintain updated websites and accomplish their work plans. SAME HQ will also hire a K-12 outreach consultant to assist Posts with K-12 outreach programs, support formerly provided by a national-level K-12 outreach committee. As I complete my ninth year as your Executive Director, I hope you will agree that we, the SAME HQ staff, Board of Direction and Posts, have made significant changes in SAME that have resulted in a more vibrant organization to support our military engineer community. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to my next three years as Executive Director. Please contact me with your feedback and suggestions at rwolff@same.org. Robert D. Wolff, Ph.D., P.E., F.SAME SAME Executive Director The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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SOCIETY NEWS
ENGINEERS IN ACTION
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
FY2012 SERVICES
SOCIETY NEWS NAVFAC CHANGES PPQ PROCESS
The SAME Senior Executive Group (SEG) met on April 21 in Arlington, Va., providing an opportunity for the engineering service chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Public Health Service to meet with presidents and CEOs of SAME Sustaining Member Companies. The purpose is to discuss issues that can be best addressed through partnering between the public and private sectors. Past Performance Questionnaires. One of the issues discussed was the use of Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to obtain past performance evaluations from clients of contractors bidding on government design-build and construction contracts. At the meeting, NAVFAC announced a new, improved process that was applauded by the industry members. Following is a summary of the NAFVFAC past and future process. Past Process: Industry stated that this process created an unnecessary burden on both the contractor and clients who were required to complete PPQs multiple times. • Contractors required to have clients complete an RFP-specific PPQ in response to RFPs. • Clients return PPQ directly to government. • Standard PPQ form not used in all source selections. • Prime contractor constantly asking client to complete questionnaires for different proposal submittals on the same project. Revised Process, effective April 20, 2011, for future RFPs: • NAVFAC will standardize PPQ for all RFPs. • Contractors still required to have clients complete a PPQ, but will submit PPQ directly to NAVFAC with proposal. • Contractor able to request client to complete PPQ form at the end of a project, retain the PPQ and use it for multiple proposal submissions. SAME commends NAVFAC for responding to industry concerns on this issue and hopes that USACE will adopt a similar process in the near future. The SEG also discussed the backlog of ACAS and 80
CCAS ratings—the construction agencies indicated they have put in place programs to focus on eliminating the large backlog. Building a world-class ethics and compliance program. The SEG discussed how SAME Sustaining Member Companies are addressing ethics training within their organizations to meet the continuing growth in government compliance requirements. Several best practices were presented by industry members. Safety Performance. The SEG discussed how the government addresses safety in evaluating contractor proposals and the importance of safety programs in prime and subcontractors. Most members of the SEG agreed that safety is a good indicator of a contractor’s attention to quality. Small Business. The SEG discussed the importance of small business in accomplishing DOD programs but also noted that the metrics established by SBA do not reflect the substantial amount of subcontracting by industry to small business. Prepared by Robert D. Wolff, Ph.D., P.E., F.SAME, SEG Secretary. Information on the SEG and a list of SEG members can be found at www.same.org/SEG.
NOW ACCEPTING FELLOW NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2012 CLASS
The deadline to submit nominations and endorsements for the 2012 Class of Fellows is 5:00 p.m. (EST), Sept. 1, 2011. Nominees to the SAME Academy of Fellows must meet specific standards of professionalism and have been an SAME member for a minimum of 10 years. All nominations must be submitted electronically, using the form located at www.same.org/fellows. Nominations must include: 1) Five endorsements from SAME members including one from their Post President and one from the respective Regional Vice President. Two of the endorsements must come from current SAME Fellows. 2) Narrative that describes specific leadership, professionalism and achievements demonstrating dedicated and outstanding service to SAME and the profession that make the nominee suitable for nomination to the Academy of Fellows.
3) Citation that summarizes the nominee’s achievements, for publication in the Investiture Ceremony brochure. For additional assistance contact Blair Davis, SAME Executive Assistant, at bdavis@same.org or 703-549-3800 ext. 112.
CHANGE TO DISTINGUISHED POST CRITERIA
As approved by the Board of Direction at its May 2011 meeting, the Distinguished Post Criteria has now been changed. Posts are no longer required to submit one nomination for a Fellow or national award or submit a financial report by March 1 to be a Distinguished Post. Also, for Distinguished Region criteria, SAME is eliminating the criteria that states at least 66 percent or two-thirds of the Posts within the Region must have submitted their financial reports for the year by March 1. Additionally, the deadline to provide financial reports to SAME HQ has been extended to April 1. Although this is not tied to Streamers, the submittal of Post financial reports is still a requirement for Posts to receive their dues payments. Finally, the Relations and Recognition Streamer criteria has been changed: 3B is now “Nominate an individual or organization for a National Award or an individual for Fellow.” For more information on the changes to Streamer criteria visit the Post Operations page of the SAME website at www.same. org/postops.
CORPORATE PROFILES AND COMPANY LISTINGS DUE SEPT. 30
Friday, Sept. 30 is the deadline to update or create your Corporate Profile or Company Listing by SAME Post to be included in the SAME 2012 Directory of Member Companies & Organizations. The Directory is conveniently available in print and online as both a searchable database and an electronic PDF. To update your company’s information, go to www.same.org/Directory and click on “Create/Update Corporate Profile.” There is no fee for Sustaining Member Companies to submit a profile; however, a small fee is charged to place a logo with your profile. The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
t Engineer Training Join
Conference & Expo
HIGHLIGHTS
A record number 2,400 people attended the 2011 SAME Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo, held May 24-27, 2011, at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. The SAME annual conference included a six-track technical program, exhibit hall, awards presentations, networking events and the annual SAME Society Ball. To view presentations from the Technical tracks or photos from the event go to www.same.org/jetc. 2011 Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo • Grapevine, Texas
2011 Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo • Grapevine, Texas
t Engineer Training Join
Plan now to attend the 2012 JETC May 22-25, St. Louis, Mo. Conference & Expo
2011 Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo • Grapevine, Texas
SMALL BUSINESS DOESN’T MEAN SMALL IMPACT.
2011 SAME SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE
for DOD Engineering, Construction and Environmental Programs with participation from USACE and other DOD agencies
NOV. 28-30, 2011 NATIONAL HARBOR, MD GAYLORD NATIONAL
www.same.org/sbconference
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
LEADER PROFILE
NEW PRODUCTS
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS FOCUS ON THE USACE BALTIMORE DISTRICT (NAB) FY11 FORECAST OF CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES
Each USACE District publishes on their website contracting opportunities and information when available. Most are forecasts of contracting opportunities (FCO) from which small businesses can begin planning. The FCO is a snapshot of planned acquisitions and is for planning purposes. It does not represent a pre-solicitation synopsis, does not constitute an invitation for bid or request for proposal, and is not a commitment by to purchase the desired products and/or services. The requirements listed may or may not be executed and are contingent upon funding, real estate, permits and other factors that affect the requirements. Requirement Type
Description of Project or Acquisition
SOCIETY NEWS ENGINEERS IN ACTION PERSPECTIVE FY2012 SERVICES The USACE Baltimore District (NAB) HISTORICAL provides an example of the FCO information that may be found on its website, updated as of April 2011 for fiscal year 2011. According to the site, all acquisition strategies are subject to change based on market research and as the requirements are further definitized. The projected quarters provided in the FCO are the estimated quarters NAB anticipates advertising requirements within the Federal Business Opportunities System (FedBizOpps) at www.fbo.gov (for all open market procurements greater than $25,000). The FCO presented this Small Business News section may be accessed electronically at www.nab.usace.army.mil/Business/ Small%20Business/FY11_FCO.pdf.
Projected Quarter
Estimated Award Amount
Acquisition Strategy
Civil
Towanda-Wysox Sec 219 Waterline Extension (Construction)
3rd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
UNR
Civil
Cell 6 Dike Raising
3rd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
8(a) Competitive
Civil
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4th
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
SDVOSB
Civil
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3rd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
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FY2012 SERVICES
Description of Project or Acquisition
Projected Quarter
Estimated Award Amount
Acquisition Strategy
Civil
Maintenance Dredging - Wicomico River
4th
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
SBSA
Civil
Maintenance Dredging - Ocean City
4th
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
SBSA
Civil
Maintenance Dredging - Baltimore Harbor
4th
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000
UNR
Civil
Sediment Testing
4th
$500,000 - $1,000,000
SBSA
Civil
Siding (Supply)
2nd
< $25,000
SBSA
Civil
Wildlife Plantings (Service)
3rd
$25,000 - $100,000
SBSA
Civil
Hazard Tree Removal (Service)
3rd
$25,000 - $100,000
SBSA
Civil
Seal and Chip (Construction)
3rd
$25,000 - $100,000
SBSA
Civil
Debris Removal
3rd
< $25,000
SBSA
Civil
Ground Hog Removal
3rd
< $25,000
SBSA
Washington Aqueduct (WA)
Dalecarlia Pumps/Motors Service Contract
3rd
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000
SBSA
WA
Low Lift PS Renovation
2nd
$100,000 - $250,000
SBSA
WA
Little Falls Road Upgrade
4th
$500,000 - $1,000,000
TBD
WA
Sample Line Improvements
4th
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
SBSA
RSFO
North Substation site package
4th
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
SBSA
RSFO
North Substation
TBD
$100,000,000 - $250,000,000
UNR
RSFO
Task Order Construction Contract (MILCON-TOCC)
3rd
$25,000,000 - $100,000,000
SBSA
86
(as a result of market research)
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
LEADER PROFILE
NEW PRODUCTS
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS Requirement Type
Description of Project or Acquisition
Projected Quarter
Estimated Award Amount SOCIETY NEWS ENGINEERS IN ACTION
Acquisition Strategy FY2012 SERVICES
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
RSFO
Single-Award Task Order Construction Contract (MILCON-SATOCC)
3rd
$100,000,000 - $250,000,000
UNR
RSFO
R&E Chiller (MILCON)
4th
$25,000,000 - $100,000,000
UNR
Master Planning
A/E multiple award IDIQ
2nd
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000
UNR/SBSA
Master Planning
Fort Detrick Master Planning A/E IDIQ
3rd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
SBSA
Master Planning
Aberdeen Proving Ground Master Planning A/E IDIQ
3rd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
SBSA
Ft. Detrick
Water Treatment Plant Repair (DBB - Repair)
3rd
$10,000,000 - $25,000,000
TBD
Ft. Detrick
Supplemental Water Storage (DB - New Construction)
2nd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
8(a)
Ft. Detrick
NIBC Security Fencing/Equipment (DB - New 3rd Construction)
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
8(a)
BRAC
DBB - FBNA Reforestation (NGA)
2nd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
8(a)
BRAC
Project management for IT and security (NGA)
2nd or 3rd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
8(a)
Ft. Belvoir
Security Fence
2nd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
TBD
Ft. Belvoir
Corridor 8/MEF
3rd
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000
TBD
Ft. Belvoir
Screening Access Lane
4th
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000
TBD
Ft. Belvoir
A/E Drive Access Control Point (ACP)
4th
1,000,000 - $5,000,000
TBD
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87
IVE
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS Requirement Type
Description of Project or Acquisition
FY2012 SERVICES
Projected Quarter
Estimated Award Amount
Acquisition Strategy
Ft. Belvoir
Memorial Drive ACP
4th
1,000,000 - $5,000,000
TBD
Ft. Belvoir
Mall Vehicle ACP
4th
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
TBD
Ft. Belvoir
River Vehicle ACP
4th
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
TBD
Ft. Belvoir
Heating & Refrigeration Plant Fencing Pentagon
4th
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
TBD
Ft. Belvoir
Replace Fire Station Main Post Ft Belvoir
2nd
$5,000,000 - $10,000,000
SBSA
Ft. Belvoir
DAAF Fire Station Expansion
3rd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
SBSA
Ft. Belvoir
North Post Access Control Point
3rd
$10,000,000 - $25,000,000
TBD
Letterkenny Army Depot
PA Install Geothermal Heating and Cooling Multiple Buildings, LEAD
4th
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
SBSA
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PA Passive Solar Water Heating; Geothermal Heating/Cooling; Photovoltaic Solar. Ft Indiantown Gap
4th
$500,000 - $1,000,000
SBSA
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Multiple Task Order Construction Contract (TOCC) to Perform Small Construction Projects (MILCON)
2nd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
8(a)
Value Engineering
A/E - Multiple IDIQs
2nd
$1,000,000 - $5,000,000
Multiple Awards (UNR & SBSA)
Environmental
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3rd
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The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
LEADER PROFILE
NEW PRODUCTS
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS DOING BUSINESS WITH THE AIR FORCE SOCIETY NEWS
The U.S. Air Force small business programs office has a robust website at airforcesmallbiz.org to assist small businesses with their information needs. In addition, Air Force small business specialists around the country are working daily with their customers to create strategies that support Airmen. Opportunities that exist for small business may be found by using the resources available within the website and by working with the designated small business specialist. Search Opportunities and Locate an Air Force Small Business Specialist. Using the Air Force Long Range Acquisition Estimate (LRAE) on the website you can search opportunities by a variety of variables, including type of procurement, contract value, purchasing organization and solicitation type. Additionally, the Locate a Small Business Specialist tool allows you to find contact information for small business specialists and contracting officers at Air Force Bases nationwide.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE SERVICES In addition, the site offers FY2012 small business users the capability to connect with the Air Force through these tools: • Register Your Small Business – you can register for an account and provide information about your capabilities and other company data. • Ask a Question – you can ask a question that will be automatically forwarded to the appropriate subject matter expert. • Event Participation Request – you can request a Small Business specialist to participate in your event. • Request a Meeting – you can register for an account and request a meeting with a small business representative. The site also features information on the Mentor-Protégé Program, which assists eligible Small Disadvantaged Businesses (protégés) to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards by partnering with major defense contractors (mentors) under individual, project-based agreements that help meet the Air Force mission. ENGINEERS IN ACTION
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www.bristol-companies.com (907) 563-0013 The Military Engineer • No. 672
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SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
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The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
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SOCIETY NEWS
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Hydrographic Surveys with Electronics: 1965 BY OMEGA H. SHAMBLIN Excerpted from: The Military Engineer Vol. 57, No. 378—July-August 1965
Editor’s Note: The following text is excerpted from “Hydrographic Surveys with Electronics,” written by Omega H. Shamblin and first published in the July-August 1965 issue of The Military Engineer. Although the methods for charting river depths and widths presented here may seem archaic, a quick comparison with the modern techniques described in the article on page 61 of this issue of TME reveal that while today’s tools are more sophisticated, the basic process of mapping the features of inland waterways is strikingly similar nearly 40 years later. For the purpose of this historical piece, the excerpted text is reprinted as published in its original form.
672 TheMilitary MilitaryEngineer Engineer• No. • No. 672
The proper planning, construction, and maintenance of flood control and navigation improvements on rivers are greatly aided by hydrographic surveys to produce detailed contour maps and profiles of the river bed. In many cases, resurveys are necessary at frequent intervals to keep current data available, especially for maintenance and construction planning and for potamology studies. The engineers engaged in this data collection program have constantly sought new equipment and methods to increase production and accuracy in surveys, mapping, and stream flow measurements at decreased costs. Development of the sonic depth finder, and especially its miniaturization, was the first important breakthrough in hydrographic survey work. This tool replaced the lead lines and hand-cranked sounding reels used to measure depth, thus accelerating the work and providing considerable greater accuracy. Smaller, faster, and more maneuverable boats have been adapted to the work, and walkie-talkie radios have become common equipment.
Although many improvements were made in some of the instruments and techniques for hydrographic surveys, the horizontal position of soundings continued to be located by the old method of using position “fixes” obtained by the intersection of an azimuth from a known control point with a range line crossing the river. Survey accuracy with this method is erratic and, to a large extent, depends upon the ability of a bank flagman to direct the boat along the range alignment. When the boat is upstream or downstream of the range alignment, its plotted position is in error because it has been plotted from two azimuths, one of which is in error. With the object of further reducing hydrographic survey costs, investigations into new developments in electronic measurement of distance were begun in 1963. A commercial instrument of this kind was found to be sufficiently portable and relatively simple to operate with a fast read-out that furnished results within allowable tolerances. A new technique was developed for these hydrographic surveys by using
91 91
FY20
ON
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
FY2012 SERVICES
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE the instrument to measure the distance instantaneously. Much of the river survey work consists of periodically re-sounding a system of ranges crossing the river at intervals of approximately 1,000 feet. The improved method does not require that these ranges be established on the ground. This eliminates the need for expensive base-line traverse, range setting, and bank flagging. The improved method consists of location the moving sounding boat by accurate measurements of azimuth and distance from a known position on the riverbank. As the sounding boat proceeds along the range being profiled, its position is determined at time intervals of approximately 15 to 20 seconds. These positions are plotted immediately upon the pre-determined range layout to furnish a quick check for the boat operator in steering along the remainder of the range being profiled. This method requires an electronic means for the continuous measurement of distances from a known point on the riverbank to the moving sounding boat. Other survey equipment includes a supersonic depth recorder, radio transceivers, transit, drafting machine, line rods, tape, and other items normally used in surveys.
HORIZONTAL CONTROL
Mapping control can be carried with the survey by traversing between the transit points as the survey progresses along the river. Distances along this traverse are obtained with the electronic equipment. The length of traverse tangents are limited only by the distances which can be seen with the transit, because the electronic instrument can measure distances up to 10 miles within a normal accuracy of 1.5 meters. Antennas may be elevated to obtain line of sight, and even longer distances can be measured. To obtain distances along the traverse, the point ahead is set, the sounding boat is moved to a position on a line between the two traverse points and near the forward point, the long distance is read by the electronic instru92
ment, and the remaining distance from the boat to the forward point on the riverbank is taped. The traverse angle is then turned with the transit.
PROFILING RANGES
To start the survey, the transit is set up and oriented on a known control point. The remote electronic station is placed adjacent to the transit. The master electronic station is installed on the sounding boat. The survey party has field sheets upon which the known control and range layout are shown. This sheet is fastened to the plotting table on the survey boat and overlaid with a sheet of stable-base, matte-finish film and keyed to range layout. The sounding boat proceeds to a point on one side of the river channel near the approximate location of the first range to be profiled. By plotting quick trial shots of azimuth and distance from the transit location, the sounding boat is maneuvered onto the proper range line. While the boat holds at this point, the boat operator, using the transit location as a backsight, turns off the angle of that range with a sextant and selects some pointacross the river on the approximate range alignment to use as a steering guide. This gives the boat operator an indication of the location of the range and helps him to evaluate and follow the steering instructions furnished by the draftsmen. The boat is then maneuvered along this approximate range alignment while the electronic master station operation stands ready to give an instantaneous read-out of the correct distance between the sounding boat and the transit point, and the transitman is continually tracking the boat with his instrument. As the boat travels along the range across the river, holding the rate of speed as steady as possible, the depth recorder operator estimates the distance between points of positioned soundings. He issues instructions controlling the timing for the operation by radio. When a profile point is to be taken, the depth recorder operator gives the signal by radio as he makes a “fix” mark on the depth chart,
and both the electronic master station operator and the transitman stop tracking. By radio, the trasitman then transmits the azimuth of that position “fix” to the draftsmen on the sounding boat and resumes tracking the boat. The draftsman sets this azimuth in the drafting machine and asks for the distance. The electronic master station operator reads out the distance and resumes his tracking of distance. The draftsman uses this distance to overlay the range layout. An experienced party can complete this sequence of operation for each position “fix” in approximately 15 seconds. A visual comparison of each “fix” point with the pre-determined range layout enables the draftsman to give the boat operator instructions for correcting his steering course. Additional advantages in this type of survey are found in the ease of location navigation lights, buoys, sand bars, and other features in and near the channel. Mapping by this method is more rapid and economical than previous procedures because it is necessary to add only the elevations from the depth recorder chart to the plotted “fix” positions on the overlay, draw contours, and trace these data on a master transparency showing the topography of the area adjacent to the channel to complete the final mapping.
RESULTS
This method, when compared to the former practice, has produced more accurate results. It has cut costs and speeded up production by reducing field and office work approximately 65 and 40 percent, respectively; reduced manpower requirements because of the time saved in surveying and mapping a given reach of river; furnished more timely information by reducing the elapsed time between the completion of surveys and mapping; and permitted the work to continue at higher river stages. Surveys can be made at any river stand as long as there are at least small isolated spots of land on the riverbank to serve as transit points.
The Military Engineer • July-August • 2011
IHNC SURGE BARRIER PROJECT ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE Two years after the first construction pile was driven, Shaw’s Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Surge Barrier project has achieved its milestone of 100-year-level storm protection—prior to the 2011 hurricane season. The 10,000-foot-long, 26-foot-high surge barrier is the largest design-build project ever awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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