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Nlsp Ppt To Congress 011509

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The document recommends establishing a National Levee Safety Program to improve safety and reduce flood risk. It proposes a National Levee Safety Commission to oversee the program and develop national standards. It also recommends that states establish levee safety programs, and the creation of grant programs and a rehabilitation fund to support safety improvements. The goal is to create a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to levee safety across the United States.

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Recommendations for a National Levee Safety Program A Report to Congress from the National Committee on Levee Safety An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
About our nations levees Californias State Engineer, William Hammond Hall, reportedly stated: There are two kinds of levees, those that have failed and those that will fail . An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
Presentation Overview The Levee Safety Act of 2007 National Committee on Levee Safety Stating the problem Recommendations Leadership via a National Commission on Levee Safety Strong Safety Programs in All States Aligned Federal Programs Investing in a National Levee Safety Program Next Steps and Closing An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
National Levee Safety Act Complements Existing Activities & Authorities Two Major Components: Recommendations Safety Data Collection One Time Nature Levees Include: Hurricane, Storm & Flood Structures: Earthen embankments Floodwalls Structures along canals An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems National Levee Safety Act WRDA Title IX Section 9000 Section 9003: Levee Safety Committee Section 9004: Inventory, Inspection, Database and Assessment
National Committee on Levee Safety Section 9003 Mission Statement from Title IX of WRDA 2007 The committee shall develop recommendations for a National Levee Safety Program, including a strategic plan for implementation of the program. An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems Committee - Multidiscipline in nature: Engineering, Law, Public Administration, Business, etc. Supported by USACE and FEMA, but primarily non-federal composition Review Group Multidiscipline in nature, including above and Budget, Environmental, Tribal, etc. Committee Sec. of the Army FEMA 8 State Agency 2 Private Sector 2 Local/ Regional 2 Tribal USACE Title IX Implementation Team Facilitator PM 1 Admin SA LS LSPM (PM2) FRMP MSCs Support/PPT ERR DX Professional Organizations Congressional Committees Review Team Nominees HQ Leadership ASA(CW) Other Feds Corps
Vision and Approach Approach Focus on foundational elements in the Act supporting the vision, while distinguishing from broader issues of flood risk management Use of sound technical practices in levee design, construction, operation, inspection, assessment, security and maintenance Ensure effective public education and awareness of risks involving levees Establish and maintain competent levee safety programs and procedures that emphasize the protection of human life Implement feasible governance solutions and incentives that encourage and sustain strong levee safety programs at all levels of government, including hazard reductions and mitigation measures related to levees Vision for Levee Safety in the U.S . An involved public and reliable levee systems working as part of an integrated approach to protect people and property from floods An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
Stating the Problem An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
Levees a long history (1600s 1920s) An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
Levees Early construction methods Varied methods No common standards Not good levee records Buried their technology within them An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
1968 Establishment of FEMA National Flood Insurance Program and selection of 100-year Flood Protection for Preferred Insurance Rates/ Development Limitations 1986 Water Resources Development Act Establishing Non-federal Cost Sharing for Federal Flood Control Projects Lack of Understanding about Flood Risks Led Communities and Public Agencies to mostly seek only 100-year Flood Protection Unintended Consequences (1960s present) An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
Unheeded wake-up calls: - 1993 Midwest Floods -1997 Central California Valley Wake-up call we cannot ignore: -2005 Katrina Missouri River, 1993 An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems Complacency Regarding Levees
Levees are Abundant and Integral to Communities: Critical for the Protection of People, Property, and other Infrastructure Estimated that tens of millions of people live and work in leveed areas No National Standards, nor Approaches Designed for one purpose now serving another Systems based approaches were most often not used, but are needed Risk: A Dynamic that We Can Keep Up With? Average age of 50 years, Climate Change, Infrastructure Degradation, & Increasing Population Growth Our Current Situation An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems Corps Program Levees Other Federal Non-Federal
Act Now to Address all Facets of Risk: Likelihood of experiencing floods Likelihood that levee infrastructure and other flood protection measures will perform as intended during these events Consequences of poor performance or failure for the protected people, property and the environment If we dont act a worsening disaster relief environment Securing a Better Future A National Levee Safety Program Our Call to Action An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
Other Considerations The National Committee on Levee Safety considered a number of recommendations as important, but outside the scope of the Levee Safety Act : Need for a Comprehensive National Flood Risk Management Program Opportunity to integrate recommendations with the National Dam Safety Program A priority for levees within the emerging National Infrastructure Dialogue
Major Recommendations An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems National Levee Safety Program National Levee Safety Commission Strong Levee Safety Programs in all States Aligned Federal Agencies
Recommendations on a National Levee Safety Program Implementation Phase of Work Comprehensive and Consistent National Leadership 1. Establish a National Levee Safety Commission 2. Expand and Maintain the National Levee Database 3. Adopt a Hazard Potential Classification System 4. Develop & Adopt National Levee Safety Standards 5. Develop Tolerable Risk Guidelines 6. Change Certification to Compliance Determination 7. Require Peer Review of Levee Compliance Determinations 8. Swiftly Address Emerging Levee Liability Issues 9. Develop & Implement a Public Involvement and Education/Awareness Campaign 10. Provide Technical Materials and Technical Assistance 11. Develop a National Levee Safety Training Program 12. Harmonize Safety and Environmental Concerns 13. Conduct a Research & Development Program Phase I Phase I Phase I Phase II Phase II and III Phase I Phase I Phase I Phase I and II Phase II Phase II Phase II Phase II Building and Sustaining Levee Safety Program in All States 14. Design and Delegate Program Responsibilities to States 15. Establish a Levee Safety Grant Program 16. Establish the National Levee Rehabilitation, Improvement, and Flood Mitigation Fund Phase II Phase II Phase II Aligning Existing Federal Programs 17. Explore potential incentives and disincentives for good levee behavior 18. Mandate Purchase of Risk-Based Flood Insurance in Leveed Areas 19. Augment FEMAs Mapping Program 20. Align FEMAs Community Rating System to Reward Safety Programs that Exceed Requirements Phase II Phase I Phase I Phase I
National Leadership via a Levee Safety Commission An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
1. Establish a National Levee Safety Commission Effective governance of the Program Independence Leadership Organizational capabilities Experience Organizational Structure New agency with functional/operational responsibility for NLSP Consists of Decisional Commission and Commission Staff Standing Advisory Committees Delegated Programs Technical Public Involvement, Education/Awareness Environment & Safety An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
NLSP Governance Structure
Responsibilities of the Commission Administer the National Levee Safety Program and evaluate the overall program effectiveness. Provide oversight of delegated programs and incentives/disincentives Expand and maintain the National Levee Database Develop: Hazard classification system and definitions National Levee Safety Standards Tolerable Risk Guidelines Conduct Research and Development Provide Technical Materials, Assistance and Training Lead Public Involvement and Education/Awareness Campaign Harmonize levee safety activities with environmental protection requirements and principles Provide for inventory and inspections where no state delegation exists An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
Concurrent Responsibilities of Others Federal Agencies Adopt or exceed established levee safety standards States/Local/Regional Governments Set up delegated program Adopt or exceed established levee safety standards Update inventory and inspection Reporting Owner/Operators Perform Operation & Maintenance Assist in local communication, risk education Flood fighting Repair, Rehabilitation, Replacement, Removal An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
2. Expand and Maintain the National Levee Database Current State: an uncertain number, an uncertain condition Develop a comprehensive national inventory of levees Corps to expand current (Sec. 9004) inventory to: include all levees nationwide, perform one-time inspection of inventoried levees, and with 100% Federal funding. Maintain a comprehensive national levee database Corps to expand current levee database to include performance data and additional levees identified in inventory An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
3. Adopt Hazard Potential Classifications * Also includes areas of consequence where critical life safety infrastructure is at risk (e.g. major hospitals, regional water treatment plants, and major power plants) ** Also includes areas of consequence where the number of people potentially inundated is low, but there may be significant potential for large economic impacts or losses An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems Hazard Potential Classification Number of People Potentially Inundated Number of People Potentially Inundated to Depths > 3 feet High > 10,000* > 10,000* Significant > 1,000** < 10,000** Low < 1,000 0
4a. Definitions Inclusions: Levees & Floodwalls Structures along Canals Structures that Act as Part of Levee Systems Levee Features, Segments, & Systems Exemptions Certain federal systems Natural Ground Non-flood structures Size Exclusions 4b. Standards Interim National Levee Engineering Procedures within first year National Levee Safety Code of Engineering Standards within 5 years 4. Develop a Common Set of Standards for Levee Safety An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
Develop and adopt National Tolerable Risk Guidelines in order to: Evaluate Options to Reduce Risk Structural Non-Structural Understand Uncertainty Make more Compelling, Justified Investments Better Communicate Risks 5. Develop Tolerable Risk Guidelines An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
6. Replace Certification Term Use Compliance Determination in lieu of Certification Term : Certification implies their may be a warranty and liability insurers have reacted to this implication via constraints and higher insurance rates Compliance Determination more accurately reflects the nature of the levee evaluations and decisions regarding inclusion in the National Flood Insurance Program
7. Implement Peer Review of Levee Compliance Determinations Subject all Compliance Determinations (Certifications) in FEMAs National Flood Insurance Program to Independent Peer Review : Increases Confidence in Technical Evaluations Assures Adherence to National Standard
8. Address the Liability Issue Issue: Parties potentially subject to liability Engineering service providers, both private sector and public entities State and local governments may be liable as a sponsor of federal flood control project New liability could be acquired by states and local agencies from implementing Levee Safety Programs Effect : Willingness to provide levee-related services has been and will be substantially impaired Recommended Action : Congress should swiftly address growing concerns regarding liability through a range of measures aimed at reducing potential liability for those providing levee related services. An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
9. Lead Public Involvement and Education/Awareness Campaign Requirements : Assess needs and gather public input Ensure consistency of message and terminology Provide opportunities to educate public Ensure risk is communicated consistently and clearly Seek to change behavior Enlist proper expertise for program development Develop strategies at the National Level Actions : Interim: FEMA Leads a Coordinating Council on Communication Long Term: Establish a standing advisory committee to National Levee Safety Commission An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
Technical Materials that support adoption of a National Levee Safety Code : Federal Agency Led Publications on design, construction, operations, maintenance, and safety processes Technical Assistance to Federal, State, Local and Regional Agencies from the National Commission on Levee Safety : Understanding and implementing safety programs Implementing standards and codes Using technical assistance materials 10. Provide Comprehensive Technical Materials and Assistance An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
11. Develop a National Levee Safety Training Program A multi-faceted Program, Coordinated with National Standards and Technical Materials: A specific curriculum, successful completion to result in graduate designation as a Certified Levee Professional National and local, self-paced training opportunities Annual National Levee Safety Conference sponsored jointly by pertinent federal agencies and national flood management professional organizations (e.g. ASDSO, USSD, NAFSMA, ASFPM)
Establish an Interdisciplinary Standing Advisory Committee to the National Commission that would Collaborate and Coordinate Issues : Direct Research and Development efforts in relation to compatibility of Operations & Maintenance Practices with environment Work toward national solutions to environmental and public safety challenges and decisions Work with designated environmental liaisons within State Levee Safety Programs 12. Harmonize Environmental and Safety Concerns An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
13. Research & Development Through the Technical Standing Advisory Committee of the National Commission, advance state-of-the art practices: Innovative technology for repairs/improved engineering methods Technical and archival research Dissemination of research products Technology and tools to enhance security of levees at the operation level Forensic investigations for levee failures and/or severe distress
Building and Sustaining Strong Levee Safety Programs in all States An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
14. Delegate State Safety Programs Design and Delegate Program Responsibilities to States to assist State and Local Governments in developing Levee Safety Programs : Primary NLSP implementation for non-Federal levees is through State programs Delegation is qualifications based in demonstrating the authority, regulation, and resources to perform basic functions: Adopt National Standards Inspection and Inventory Participation Public Education and Awareness Coordinate National, State, and Local Program Activities Emergency Action and Evacuation Plan Other Programs and Procedures for Hazard Reduction and Mitigation Relating to Levees
15. Levee Safety Grant Program Assist states and local governments in developing and maintaining institutional capacity, expertise, and program framework : Authorize and appropriate sufficient funds to establish new Grants program funded through the Commission in a phased and cost shared approach: Phase II Stand-Up: 75% federal, 25% non-federal Phase III Steady State: 50% federal, 50% non-federal Additional funding provided to states to distribute to multi-jurisdictional or levee system specific programs Initially administered by FEMA, then the Commission
16. National Levee Rehabilitation, Improvement, & Mitigation Fund To Aid State and Locals in rehabilitation, improvement, or removal of deficient levees : Focused Initially on high risk urban areas Cost Shared Investment: 65% federal, 35% local Work Includes structural and non-structural solutions based upon maximizing overall public safety risk reduction Requirements for Eligibility: National Levee Database Participation Demonstrate Financial Means Participate in National Flood Insurance Program Risk Communication and Emergency Response Plan
Aligned Federal Agencies and Programs An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
17. Explore Incentives/Disincentives Promote good practices and behavior by alignment of existing federal programs through : Savings/funding to communities, eligibility for federal funding, priority for federal funding, and cost sharing requirements Exclude emergency related programs/funds Potential Programs: FEMA Disaster Assistance Funds such as Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Mitigation Grants Corps Programs such as PL84-99, new projects, and Section 216 Other Federal Programs such as Highway funds, HUD Grants, SBA loans for other than disaster recovery, and federal loan guarantees Proposals intended to be revenue neutral, encouraging investment in safe areas, discouraging in risky areas
18. Mandatory Risk-Based Insurance Phased approach to requirement for mandatory, residual risk-based insurance rates behind levees : Purpose: Reduce Financial Damages Increase Understanding of Flood Risks Requires legislation Implemented via FEMA Risk Map Program
19. Augment FEMAs Mapping Program To improve risk identification and communication in leveed areas : Identify levee systems and associated consequence failure zones Re-designate existing Zone A/AE or X areas as either AL or XL respectively if in leveed area Depict on FEMA web-site additional flood hazard information that may be provided by state and local entities
20. Align CRS to Reward Safety Programs Revise FEMAs Community Rating System Program to credit communities that exceed Levee Safety Program requirements. Purpose: Further Incentivize Superior performance in its State Levee Safety Program Reduce Flood Insurance Premiums for individuals in communities with strong levee safety programs
What Comes Next: Looking to the Future of a National Levee Safety Program 16 December 2008 An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
Strategic Implementation of Recommendations Immediate Actions Short Term Actions Long Term Actions Immediate Actions Existing & New Authorities Standing Up the Program Primarily Incentives Requires Legislation Sustaining the Program Incentives and Disincentives An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems Calendar Years 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Investing in a National Levee Safety Program Benefits Public Safety Responsibility (exposure and losses dwarf that of dam safety) Economically Justified: $10B/year in flood damages prevented +$4B/year damages suffered Post capital investment exposure remains high Insurance (only) exposure of $375B *elements are cost shared Major Recommended Elements of a National Levee Safety Program Estimated Total Costs by Phase (millions)* Phases I/II (years 1-5) Phase III (steady state) National Levee Safety Commission $40 $41 State Levee Safety Grant Program $150* $150* Complete Initial Inventory and Inspection $125 $3* Levee Rehab & Mitigation Fund $923* $1538*
Anecdotes of Justification (extreme events that keep happening) Great Flood of 1993 Covered 400,000 square miles 200 counties declared disaster areas 72,000 homes destroyed Losses and Costs exceeded $20B 47 Lives Lost Lasted 200 days Hurricane Katrina >$200B in direct and indirect damages 1,810 Lives Lost 2008 Midwest Flood : 40,000 evacuated 24 lives lost $2.7B federal relief 2008 Hurricanes >3M evacuated
Closing Not Just an Expense Its an Investment New activities, new costs Can we afford to live in a disaster relief environment? Next Steps OMB Clearance of the Report Report to Congress January 2009 Continued refinement, vetting, & data support Expect broadening stakeholder and momentum building activities on national, regional scale An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems

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Nlsp Ppt To Congress 011509

  • 1. Recommendations for a National Levee Safety Program A Report to Congress from the National Committee on Levee Safety An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 2. About our nations levees Californias State Engineer, William Hammond Hall, reportedly stated: There are two kinds of levees, those that have failed and those that will fail . An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 3. Presentation Overview The Levee Safety Act of 2007 National Committee on Levee Safety Stating the problem Recommendations Leadership via a National Commission on Levee Safety Strong Safety Programs in All States Aligned Federal Programs Investing in a National Levee Safety Program Next Steps and Closing An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 4. National Levee Safety Act Complements Existing Activities & Authorities Two Major Components: Recommendations Safety Data Collection One Time Nature Levees Include: Hurricane, Storm & Flood Structures: Earthen embankments Floodwalls Structures along canals An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems National Levee Safety Act WRDA Title IX Section 9000 Section 9003: Levee Safety Committee Section 9004: Inventory, Inspection, Database and Assessment
  • 5. National Committee on Levee Safety Section 9003 Mission Statement from Title IX of WRDA 2007 The committee shall develop recommendations for a National Levee Safety Program, including a strategic plan for implementation of the program. An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems Committee - Multidiscipline in nature: Engineering, Law, Public Administration, Business, etc. Supported by USACE and FEMA, but primarily non-federal composition Review Group Multidiscipline in nature, including above and Budget, Environmental, Tribal, etc. Committee Sec. of the Army FEMA 8 State Agency 2 Private Sector 2 Local/ Regional 2 Tribal USACE Title IX Implementation Team Facilitator PM 1 Admin SA LS LSPM (PM2) FRMP MSCs Support/PPT ERR DX Professional Organizations Congressional Committees Review Team Nominees HQ Leadership ASA(CW) Other Feds Corps
  • 6. Vision and Approach Approach Focus on foundational elements in the Act supporting the vision, while distinguishing from broader issues of flood risk management Use of sound technical practices in levee design, construction, operation, inspection, assessment, security and maintenance Ensure effective public education and awareness of risks involving levees Establish and maintain competent levee safety programs and procedures that emphasize the protection of human life Implement feasible governance solutions and incentives that encourage and sustain strong levee safety programs at all levels of government, including hazard reductions and mitigation measures related to levees Vision for Levee Safety in the U.S . An involved public and reliable levee systems working as part of an integrated approach to protect people and property from floods An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 7. Stating the Problem An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 8. Levees a long history (1600s 1920s) An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 9. Levees Early construction methods Varied methods No common standards Not good levee records Buried their technology within them An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 10. 1968 Establishment of FEMA National Flood Insurance Program and selection of 100-year Flood Protection for Preferred Insurance Rates/ Development Limitations 1986 Water Resources Development Act Establishing Non-federal Cost Sharing for Federal Flood Control Projects Lack of Understanding about Flood Risks Led Communities and Public Agencies to mostly seek only 100-year Flood Protection Unintended Consequences (1960s present) An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 11. Unheeded wake-up calls: - 1993 Midwest Floods -1997 Central California Valley Wake-up call we cannot ignore: -2005 Katrina Missouri River, 1993 An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems Complacency Regarding Levees
  • 12. Levees are Abundant and Integral to Communities: Critical for the Protection of People, Property, and other Infrastructure Estimated that tens of millions of people live and work in leveed areas No National Standards, nor Approaches Designed for one purpose now serving another Systems based approaches were most often not used, but are needed Risk: A Dynamic that We Can Keep Up With? Average age of 50 years, Climate Change, Infrastructure Degradation, & Increasing Population Growth Our Current Situation An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems Corps Program Levees Other Federal Non-Federal
  • 13. Act Now to Address all Facets of Risk: Likelihood of experiencing floods Likelihood that levee infrastructure and other flood protection measures will perform as intended during these events Consequences of poor performance or failure for the protected people, property and the environment If we dont act a worsening disaster relief environment Securing a Better Future A National Levee Safety Program Our Call to Action An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 14. Other Considerations The National Committee on Levee Safety considered a number of recommendations as important, but outside the scope of the Levee Safety Act : Need for a Comprehensive National Flood Risk Management Program Opportunity to integrate recommendations with the National Dam Safety Program A priority for levees within the emerging National Infrastructure Dialogue
  • 15. Major Recommendations An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems National Levee Safety Program National Levee Safety Commission Strong Levee Safety Programs in all States Aligned Federal Agencies
  • 16. Recommendations on a National Levee Safety Program Implementation Phase of Work Comprehensive and Consistent National Leadership 1. Establish a National Levee Safety Commission 2. Expand and Maintain the National Levee Database 3. Adopt a Hazard Potential Classification System 4. Develop & Adopt National Levee Safety Standards 5. Develop Tolerable Risk Guidelines 6. Change Certification to Compliance Determination 7. Require Peer Review of Levee Compliance Determinations 8. Swiftly Address Emerging Levee Liability Issues 9. Develop & Implement a Public Involvement and Education/Awareness Campaign 10. Provide Technical Materials and Technical Assistance 11. Develop a National Levee Safety Training Program 12. Harmonize Safety and Environmental Concerns 13. Conduct a Research & Development Program Phase I Phase I Phase I Phase II Phase II and III Phase I Phase I Phase I Phase I and II Phase II Phase II Phase II Phase II Building and Sustaining Levee Safety Program in All States 14. Design and Delegate Program Responsibilities to States 15. Establish a Levee Safety Grant Program 16. Establish the National Levee Rehabilitation, Improvement, and Flood Mitigation Fund Phase II Phase II Phase II Aligning Existing Federal Programs 17. Explore potential incentives and disincentives for good levee behavior 18. Mandate Purchase of Risk-Based Flood Insurance in Leveed Areas 19. Augment FEMAs Mapping Program 20. Align FEMAs Community Rating System to Reward Safety Programs that Exceed Requirements Phase II Phase I Phase I Phase I
  • 17. National Leadership via a Levee Safety Commission An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 18. 1. Establish a National Levee Safety Commission Effective governance of the Program Independence Leadership Organizational capabilities Experience Organizational Structure New agency with functional/operational responsibility for NLSP Consists of Decisional Commission and Commission Staff Standing Advisory Committees Delegated Programs Technical Public Involvement, Education/Awareness Environment & Safety An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 20. Responsibilities of the Commission Administer the National Levee Safety Program and evaluate the overall program effectiveness. Provide oversight of delegated programs and incentives/disincentives Expand and maintain the National Levee Database Develop: Hazard classification system and definitions National Levee Safety Standards Tolerable Risk Guidelines Conduct Research and Development Provide Technical Materials, Assistance and Training Lead Public Involvement and Education/Awareness Campaign Harmonize levee safety activities with environmental protection requirements and principles Provide for inventory and inspections where no state delegation exists An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 21. Concurrent Responsibilities of Others Federal Agencies Adopt or exceed established levee safety standards States/Local/Regional Governments Set up delegated program Adopt or exceed established levee safety standards Update inventory and inspection Reporting Owner/Operators Perform Operation & Maintenance Assist in local communication, risk education Flood fighting Repair, Rehabilitation, Replacement, Removal An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 22. 2. Expand and Maintain the National Levee Database Current State: an uncertain number, an uncertain condition Develop a comprehensive national inventory of levees Corps to expand current (Sec. 9004) inventory to: include all levees nationwide, perform one-time inspection of inventoried levees, and with 100% Federal funding. Maintain a comprehensive national levee database Corps to expand current levee database to include performance data and additional levees identified in inventory An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 23. 3. Adopt Hazard Potential Classifications * Also includes areas of consequence where critical life safety infrastructure is at risk (e.g. major hospitals, regional water treatment plants, and major power plants) ** Also includes areas of consequence where the number of people potentially inundated is low, but there may be significant potential for large economic impacts or losses An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems Hazard Potential Classification Number of People Potentially Inundated Number of People Potentially Inundated to Depths > 3 feet High > 10,000* > 10,000* Significant > 1,000** < 10,000** Low < 1,000 0
  • 24. 4a. Definitions Inclusions: Levees & Floodwalls Structures along Canals Structures that Act as Part of Levee Systems Levee Features, Segments, & Systems Exemptions Certain federal systems Natural Ground Non-flood structures Size Exclusions 4b. Standards Interim National Levee Engineering Procedures within first year National Levee Safety Code of Engineering Standards within 5 years 4. Develop a Common Set of Standards for Levee Safety An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 25. Develop and adopt National Tolerable Risk Guidelines in order to: Evaluate Options to Reduce Risk Structural Non-Structural Understand Uncertainty Make more Compelling, Justified Investments Better Communicate Risks 5. Develop Tolerable Risk Guidelines An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 26. 6. Replace Certification Term Use Compliance Determination in lieu of Certification Term : Certification implies their may be a warranty and liability insurers have reacted to this implication via constraints and higher insurance rates Compliance Determination more accurately reflects the nature of the levee evaluations and decisions regarding inclusion in the National Flood Insurance Program
  • 27. 7. Implement Peer Review of Levee Compliance Determinations Subject all Compliance Determinations (Certifications) in FEMAs National Flood Insurance Program to Independent Peer Review : Increases Confidence in Technical Evaluations Assures Adherence to National Standard
  • 28. 8. Address the Liability Issue Issue: Parties potentially subject to liability Engineering service providers, both private sector and public entities State and local governments may be liable as a sponsor of federal flood control project New liability could be acquired by states and local agencies from implementing Levee Safety Programs Effect : Willingness to provide levee-related services has been and will be substantially impaired Recommended Action : Congress should swiftly address growing concerns regarding liability through a range of measures aimed at reducing potential liability for those providing levee related services. An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 29. 9. Lead Public Involvement and Education/Awareness Campaign Requirements : Assess needs and gather public input Ensure consistency of message and terminology Provide opportunities to educate public Ensure risk is communicated consistently and clearly Seek to change behavior Enlist proper expertise for program development Develop strategies at the National Level Actions : Interim: FEMA Leads a Coordinating Council on Communication Long Term: Establish a standing advisory committee to National Levee Safety Commission An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 30. Technical Materials that support adoption of a National Levee Safety Code : Federal Agency Led Publications on design, construction, operations, maintenance, and safety processes Technical Assistance to Federal, State, Local and Regional Agencies from the National Commission on Levee Safety : Understanding and implementing safety programs Implementing standards and codes Using technical assistance materials 10. Provide Comprehensive Technical Materials and Assistance An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 31. 11. Develop a National Levee Safety Training Program A multi-faceted Program, Coordinated with National Standards and Technical Materials: A specific curriculum, successful completion to result in graduate designation as a Certified Levee Professional National and local, self-paced training opportunities Annual National Levee Safety Conference sponsored jointly by pertinent federal agencies and national flood management professional organizations (e.g. ASDSO, USSD, NAFSMA, ASFPM)
  • 32. Establish an Interdisciplinary Standing Advisory Committee to the National Commission that would Collaborate and Coordinate Issues : Direct Research and Development efforts in relation to compatibility of Operations & Maintenance Practices with environment Work toward national solutions to environmental and public safety challenges and decisions Work with designated environmental liaisons within State Levee Safety Programs 12. Harmonize Environmental and Safety Concerns An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 33. 13. Research & Development Through the Technical Standing Advisory Committee of the National Commission, advance state-of-the art practices: Innovative technology for repairs/improved engineering methods Technical and archival research Dissemination of research products Technology and tools to enhance security of levees at the operation level Forensic investigations for levee failures and/or severe distress
  • 34. Building and Sustaining Strong Levee Safety Programs in all States An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 35. 14. Delegate State Safety Programs Design and Delegate Program Responsibilities to States to assist State and Local Governments in developing Levee Safety Programs : Primary NLSP implementation for non-Federal levees is through State programs Delegation is qualifications based in demonstrating the authority, regulation, and resources to perform basic functions: Adopt National Standards Inspection and Inventory Participation Public Education and Awareness Coordinate National, State, and Local Program Activities Emergency Action and Evacuation Plan Other Programs and Procedures for Hazard Reduction and Mitigation Relating to Levees
  • 36. 15. Levee Safety Grant Program Assist states and local governments in developing and maintaining institutional capacity, expertise, and program framework : Authorize and appropriate sufficient funds to establish new Grants program funded through the Commission in a phased and cost shared approach: Phase II Stand-Up: 75% federal, 25% non-federal Phase III Steady State: 50% federal, 50% non-federal Additional funding provided to states to distribute to multi-jurisdictional or levee system specific programs Initially administered by FEMA, then the Commission
  • 37. 16. National Levee Rehabilitation, Improvement, & Mitigation Fund To Aid State and Locals in rehabilitation, improvement, or removal of deficient levees : Focused Initially on high risk urban areas Cost Shared Investment: 65% federal, 35% local Work Includes structural and non-structural solutions based upon maximizing overall public safety risk reduction Requirements for Eligibility: National Levee Database Participation Demonstrate Financial Means Participate in National Flood Insurance Program Risk Communication and Emergency Response Plan
  • 38. Aligned Federal Agencies and Programs An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 39. 17. Explore Incentives/Disincentives Promote good practices and behavior by alignment of existing federal programs through : Savings/funding to communities, eligibility for federal funding, priority for federal funding, and cost sharing requirements Exclude emergency related programs/funds Potential Programs: FEMA Disaster Assistance Funds such as Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Mitigation Grants Corps Programs such as PL84-99, new projects, and Section 216 Other Federal Programs such as Highway funds, HUD Grants, SBA loans for other than disaster recovery, and federal loan guarantees Proposals intended to be revenue neutral, encouraging investment in safe areas, discouraging in risky areas
  • 40. 18. Mandatory Risk-Based Insurance Phased approach to requirement for mandatory, residual risk-based insurance rates behind levees : Purpose: Reduce Financial Damages Increase Understanding of Flood Risks Requires legislation Implemented via FEMA Risk Map Program
  • 41. 19. Augment FEMAs Mapping Program To improve risk identification and communication in leveed areas : Identify levee systems and associated consequence failure zones Re-designate existing Zone A/AE or X areas as either AL or XL respectively if in leveed area Depict on FEMA web-site additional flood hazard information that may be provided by state and local entities
  • 42. 20. Align CRS to Reward Safety Programs Revise FEMAs Community Rating System Program to credit communities that exceed Levee Safety Program requirements. Purpose: Further Incentivize Superior performance in its State Levee Safety Program Reduce Flood Insurance Premiums for individuals in communities with strong levee safety programs
  • 43. What Comes Next: Looking to the Future of a National Levee Safety Program 16 December 2008 An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems
  • 44. Strategic Implementation of Recommendations Immediate Actions Short Term Actions Long Term Actions Immediate Actions Existing & New Authorities Standing Up the Program Primarily Incentives Requires Legislation Sustaining the Program Incentives and Disincentives An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems Calendar Years 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
  • 45. Investing in a National Levee Safety Program Benefits Public Safety Responsibility (exposure and losses dwarf that of dam safety) Economically Justified: $10B/year in flood damages prevented +$4B/year damages suffered Post capital investment exposure remains high Insurance (only) exposure of $375B *elements are cost shared Major Recommended Elements of a National Levee Safety Program Estimated Total Costs by Phase (millions)* Phases I/II (years 1-5) Phase III (steady state) National Levee Safety Commission $40 $41 State Levee Safety Grant Program $150* $150* Complete Initial Inventory and Inspection $125 $3* Levee Rehab & Mitigation Fund $923* $1538*
  • 46. Anecdotes of Justification (extreme events that keep happening) Great Flood of 1993 Covered 400,000 square miles 200 counties declared disaster areas 72,000 homes destroyed Losses and Costs exceeded $20B 47 Lives Lost Lasted 200 days Hurricane Katrina >$200B in direct and indirect damages 1,810 Lives Lost 2008 Midwest Flood : 40,000 evacuated 24 lives lost $2.7B federal relief 2008 Hurricanes >3M evacuated
  • 47. Closing Not Just an Expense Its an Investment New activities, new costs Can we afford to live in a disaster relief environment? Next Steps OMB Clearance of the Report Report to Congress January 2009 Continued refinement, vetting, & data support Expect broadening stakeholder and momentum building activities on national, regional scale An Involved Public and Reliable Levee Systems

Editor's Notes

  • #2: Presentation to Congress on Recommendations for a National Levee Safety Program, 1/15/09