Antilles cuts ribbon on new facility

A trifold brochure is handed to all boaters to ensure they are aware of lockage protocol, something so simple as calling the lock operator is not always done.

William Keeney, USACE lock supervisor, said there are five operators on the waterways standing there alone making decisions.

“They are liable for everything on here, ” said

Keeney.

Hutson, who celebrated his birthday in March, will retire this July.

For more information on locking and safety tips as a boater, visit https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Navigation/Notices-toNavigation/Notice-to-Navigation-2019-001Guidance-about-Canaveral-and-OkeechobeeWaterway-Lock-procedures/.

Antilles office celebrates new boat facility

Story and photos by Luis Deya

United States Army Corps of Engineers Antilles office hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for building SJ-16 on June 11 at the former United States Army Corps of Engineers Antilles facility at Puerto Nuevo, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Antilles Deputy District Engineer Maj. Jesus Soto and lead vessel operator Jonathan Shelhamer cut the ribbon symbolizing the building was open for operation.

Building SJ-16 will store a USACE hydrographic surveying vessel, surveying equipment, and a truck while securing and protecting our equipment from harsh weather.

Others in attendance included Jacksonville District Project Manager Jessica Spencer, Bonnie Sigwalt, a prime contractor under the Defense Logistics Agency for building SJ-16, and USACE Antilles office personnel.

Pictured: Jacksonville District lock operator Glenn Hutson, opens the lock chambers northbound and southbound from the control gate access room. Pictured (left) William Keeney, supervisory lock operator, (right) and Glenn Huston.

Pictured: Jacksonville District personnel cut the ceremonial ribbon of the new boat storage facility in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Pictured: Project Manager Jessica Spencer delivers remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pictured: Antilles office team members and partners gather at new hydrographic boat shed to celebrate the official opening.

Employee Spotlight: Archaeologist follows her heart

Story by Maya Jordan

How did an archaeologist make a career shift into building mutually beneficial relationships with partners like the Native American tribes? Interestingly, the Corporate Communications team interviewed Cynthia (Cindy) Thomas, someone who tells us how. Thomas is the Native American Program Manager synonymously known as the Tribal Liaison for the Jacksonville District based in the Palm Beach Gardens field office.

Although she has been in this role since January 2020, she has been a member of the USACE family since 2010.

Thomas, a native of small-town Snipesville, Georgia, began her career as an archaeologist, a title she wore for more than 15 years. She is a graduate of Mercer University, where she majored in History and Anthropology.

“I started my career in the private sector here in Florida, then joined the Jacksonville District, and from there, I relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas, where I was the district’ s archaeologist and tribal liaison, ” said Thomas.

But it wasn ’t until she landed a role in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she would harness her skills and engage with tribal communities more than in her previous positions.

Thomas wants to ensure that people know the difference between anthropology and archaeology studies to clear the record.

“Anthropology is the study of living cultures; archaeology is the study of understanding the human past, ” Thomas said.

Communicating and building relationships with tribes is a job that everyone can do to some level, and as a federal employee, it is everyone ’ s responsibility.

When asked about the most rewarding aspect of working with the tribes, she said, “When I see small improvements [amongst] the relationship between the Army Corps and the tribes.

Three federally recognized Native American tribes have reservation/trust lands within the district’ s area of responsibility (AOR), the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, and Poarch Band of Creeks.

However, currently, there are five tribes that we consult with, two of which have an ancestral connection to our AOR. Thomas says it’ s everyone ’ s responsibility to engage with the tribes.

“For instance, in my short time here, I have reached out to or worked directly with Regulatory, Planning, Project Management, Engineering, Contracting, the Executive Office, Emergency Management, Construction, and Operations - so it’ s not just consultation on Planning projects, ” Thomas said.

In her day-to-day, she could receive a call from tribal members about maintenance issues to a gate utilized by the tribe.

“I have coordinated multiple times with our amazing team at the Clewiston Office for assistance in resolving those issues, ” Thomas said.

Next, a tribe may reach out during a storm event requesting assistance. As the point-of-contact for the tribe, Thomas is available 24/7.

During Hurricane Eta, Emergency Management graciously assisted one tribe by providing needed pumps to aid in their flood fight efforts.

Often, our projects are near or on tribal land. For example, the Herbert Hoover Dike project is one project that required a right of way permit from the Seminole Tribe before work on a specific structure could proceed.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida, like all federally recognized tribes, is a dependent sovereign nation; therefore, their reservation or trust land is considered a nation within a nation. “We have to seek their permission if we are going to impact natural resources such as the soil, trees, grass, etc., on their sovereign land, ” said Thomas.

She admits this job is not a one-size-fits-all and says it makes it easier when you have a personality that will mesh well with the culture and characters of the tribes that you are working with.

Thomas believes the rapport with the tribes is easy to build, unlike with other non-tribal partners. When coordinating with the tribes, there ’ s no harm in admitting what you do not know, as long as you get the answer for them in a timely manner.

“The lack of knowledge could help to build the relationship – it breaks away from the bureaucracy and shows a more human side to your personality, ” said Thomas.

When speaking to tribes, we achieve success by promoting transparency, honesty, and respect. There is a simple key to the success of tribal relations.

“It’ s so simple, do what you say and say what you do, ” says Thomas. “If you can ’t answer a question because the information can ’t be disclosed at that time, simply tell [the tribes] that and let them know that you will provide them with an answer as soon as you are able.