U.S Fish & Wildlife Service Southeast Region “Steady In The Storm” ERFO Process Jo Ann Clark - Refuge Roads/ERFO Coordinator Joe Girot – Refuge Roads/ERFO Engineer
R4 ERFO Presentation Steps to educating refuges Experiences with refuges Pros and Cons about what worked R4 ways to streamline ERFO process
ERFO Education First Step: Explaining ERFO to refuges Documentation Reimbursement process Close-out procedures Second Step: Education process with instructions ERFO manuals On-site training process
ERFO Education cont. Third Step: Documentation Emphasis on pictures Damage Survey Reports (DSR) Utilizing EFLHD ERFO teams Fourth Step: Close Out Process Final Inspection
Notification Process Refuges call/ FWS ERFO Personnel Regional Office: Assess damages Coordinate with EFLHD Regional Office submits Notice of Intent Letter (NOI)
Limited Funding Availibility Limited Refuge System funds Usually request a special appropriation What is Eligible? (A common question) Public roads Public Bridges Designated National Trails
When Disaster Strikes Initiate Emergency Repairs Restore essential traffic Protect remaining facilities Prevent additional damage
ERFO Emergency Repairs Action taken within 2 months of accessibility to damaged site: Developed Incident Management Teams Used limited Refuges funds Opened roads to Public Documented damages pictorially
When Disaster Strikes Maintain eligibility for reimbursement Keep records (material costs) time sheets (labor costs) equipment hours TAKE PICTURES!!!
ERFO Permanent Repairs Action taken within 2 years of accessibility to damaged site: Used Refuge Roads funds: Conduct scoping trips Begin project design ERFO damages over $500K Request EFLHD assistance
Close Out Process Provide documentation to support DSRs Develop a Refuge Close Out Schedule Conduct final inspection
R4 Future Improvements to ERFO Process Utilizing SAMMS to capture damages Develop R4 Web page Documentation Examples ERFO “Quick Reference” Link ERFO Training for Refuge Staff Provided by EFLHD
DSR Example
Questions and Answers