In-Depth Articles
2012
Primavera P2 Template for Dam Safety Project
The Risk Management Center is completing development of a Dam Safety Risk Management (DSRM) Primavera template that will be added into the P2 Architect by the 3rd quarter of FY12. The template was formulated from the policy guidance presented in ER 1110-2-1156, and provides a comprehensive schedule and work plan that covers all dam safety study activities from initial DSAC notification to approval of Dam Safety Modification Studies. The template is customizable for each project, includes logical successor and predecessor activities, and identifies major activity milestones that will be tracked at the national level. The use of this standardized P2 template is essential to assure that the District, RMC, and Design Center work efforts on dam safety projects are fully coordinated, and the respective teams are working from a common schedule with standardized reporting milestones.
The USACE Veterans Curation Program Soldiers On
There are convergences in Federal service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Veterans Curation Program is proof in action. Consider the following pieces of information that seemingly stand alone or appear at first to be unrelated: for the last one hundred years the Corps has been accumulating archeological materials and associated records that require, by law and regulation, a level of care and treatment that assures their continuing preservation; overseas contingency operations including Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) have produced veterans and wounded warriors who are unable, or lack the skills needed to compete in the mainstream job market; the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (otherwise known as the "Stimulus Bill") was oriented to developing projects and programs that provided short term investments to put Americans to work; and, the Corps' Mandatory Center of Expertise (MCX) for Curation and Management of Archeological Collections (CMAC) in St. Louis District, has answered the call for innovative and rapid responses to a range of Federal needs including the completion of the three-year Iraq Mass Graves Investigation Program.
2011
Cedar River-Cedar Rapids, Iowa Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study "Lessons Learned" by Christopher Haring, Rock Island District
The Cedar River, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Flood Risk Management Project Feasibility Study Report with Integrated Environmental Assessment (Study) was authorized by Congress in 2006 to investigate flood risk management (FRM) alternatives for the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (City). The purpose of the Study was to formulate and evaluate cost effective, environmentally-sensitive, and technically sound FRM alternatives to reduce risk to the City. A Feasibility Cost Share Agreement (FCSA) between the City and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District (District) was signed in early May 2008 to initiate a study for a portion of the City known as the Time Check Levee Area.
National Pilot Program Launches
National Pilot Program Launches
Planning Associates 2011 Attend Watershed Planning Course
San Antonio, Texas, February 2011 by John Ortlieb, Rock Island District
During the period from February 7-11, 2011, the Planning Associates travelled to San Antonio, Texas to gain an appreciation and understanding of the Corps efforts in the area of the watershed planning through formal training via the Watershed Planning course, hosted by the Southwestern Division.
Planning Associates 2011 Visit Mississippi Valley Division and
Engineer Research and Development Center by Lauren O. Kruse, Fort Worth District
During the period from February 1-4, 2011, the Planning Associates Class of 2011 travelled to Vicksburg, Mississippi to visit the Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) and tour the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). The purpose of the visit was to introduce the Planning Associates to the unique programs and challenges in the MVD, to tour the ERDC facilities, and to learn about the diverse engineering and scientific research conducted at ERDC in support of the Civil Works Mission.
Planning Associates Class of 2011 Attend Planning Fundamentals Class Phoenix, Arizona, January 2011 by Cherilyn Gibbs, Little Rock District
After a two month break that allowed us to celebrate the holidays, catch up on our home office work, and read a couple of books (The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and Good to Great by Jim Collins), we packed our suitcases and traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to attend a course on the basic fundamentals of Civil Works planning.
Reading About Leadership and Book Reviews by Michael Wyatt, St. Paul District
Reading about leadership and the discussion and preparation of book reviews has become a staple part of the overall Planning Associates Program. The emphasis on reading for personal and professional growth became all too apparent with arrival of a Fed-Ex delivery to each Planning Associate last October containing a small library of books devoted to the subject of leadership. Throughout the course of the year, the Planning Associates are expected to work their way through each book and then summarize each through a short written report before discussing the reading materials as a group.
Road to a Chief's Report: American River Watershed (Common Features) Project, Natomas Basin, Sacramento and Sutter Counties, California by Alicia Kirchner and members of the Project Delivery Team
In December 2010, a Chief's Report was signed for the Natomas Basin Project in Sacramento, California. This was the most recent in a chain of events aimed toward reducing the risk of flooding to the greater Sacramento region. Flood management in the area comes through a combination of storage and conveyance, and Congress has authorized improvements to various project features over the past 20 years. Investigations continue to explore further reduction of flood risk, and the Natomas Post Authorization Change (PCA)/Interim General Re-evaluation Report (GRR) is vital to reducing flood risk to the Sacramento region.
The Floodplain Management Services Program Marks a 50-Year Contribution to Flood Risk Management by Stuart A. Davis, Institute for Water Resources
The "first door to the Corps," is how Sue Hughes, Deputy Chief of the Planning Community of Practice characterized the Floodplain Management Services (FPMS) program at December 2010 program marking the 50th anniversary of the program. Over 100 Corps personnel participated in the program either in person at the Corps Washington, DC headquarters or via webcast.
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