National Levee Safety Act, Title IX, WRDA 2007 Update for Levee Summit Eric Halpin, P.E. Special Assistant for Dam and Levee Safety Headquarters, US Army Corps of Engineers

Topics Title IX Background Overall Implementation Approach Levee Safety Committee Inventory and Inspections Schedule Challenges

Background on WRDA 2007 National Levee Safety Act Compliments Existing Activities & Authorities Two Major Components: A Strategic Plan, Not a Program Safety Data Collection “One Time” Nature Levees Include: Hurricane, Storm & Flood Structures: Earthen embankments Floodwalls Structures along canals National Levee Safety Act Title IX Section 9000 Section 9003: Levee Safety Committee Section 9004: Inventory, Inspection, Database And Assessment

Level of Protection Levee Categories Area represents all levees throughout the US. 4 Local & Other NFIP only 3 Local built / Enrolled in RIP 1 Federal O&M 2 USACE built / Local O&M NFIP & CORPS No Prior Nexus with USACE or FEMA USACE Inventory and Assessment Objective: Assess all levees in USACE programs, regardless of level of protection. 100-year FEMA NFIP Objective: Communicate the most current information for flood insurance purposes. CORPS only Universe of Levees USACE Dec07 Not to scale WRDA Authorities Objective: Inventory all levees in nation, lead strategic plan for a National Levee Safety Program New Nexus from WRDA 2007

National Levee Safety Program WRDA 2007 Title IX

National Levee Safety Committee Section Day Schedule to Develop a Strategic Implementation Plan on 9 Specific Goals 16 Person Committee Supported by USACE Review Group Organized into Working Groups Committee Secretary of The Army FEMA8 State Safety Reps 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 Congressional Review Team Nominees HQ Leadership ASA(CW) Committees Other Feds Organizations WorkingGroups Technical Assistance Public Awareness Program Development State Implementation

Membership Approach Chairperson – delegation to HQ USACE Levee Safety Officer Decision and Potential Timing of Delegation not yet determined by Secretary FEMA Administrator or designee – Anticipate delegation to Mitigation Directorate

Membership Approach… (2) Private Sector Nominees Non-governmental, non-tribal levee experts Solicited by Chairperson via broad posting and targeted invitations Representatives from State Levee Safety (8), Local/Regional Government (2) and Indian Tribes (2): Solicitation by Regional Corps Offices All Nominees forwarded to Chairperson, along with recommendations from Regions

Member Qualification Considerations Diversity in Experience highly desirable! Two Year Commitment – Intense for first 6 months Levee Safety Experience: Years, Breadth, and Depth of Experience Technical Background: Professional registration, Education, & organizational affiliations Leadership & Communication: Leaders of Teams & National Programs Published Papers & Presentations Policy & Program Background

A Working Committee… #2 Best Practices for Levee Functional Areas #7 Technical Assistance Materials #8 Methods to Provide Technical Assistance #9 Technical Assistance Materials for Physical Integrity #5 Public Education and Awareness Projects #6 Public Awareness of Residual Risks #1 Feasible Programs & Procedures for Hazard Management #4 Ensuring Levee O&M Standards via Inventory and Inspections #3 Establishment & Implementation of National Program -Delegated to States -- Incentives and Disincentives Links all other objectives together Levee Safety Committee Technical Assistance Public Awareness Program Development Delegation to States

Levee Safety Committee Timeline No False Starts Specific Legislation Language Limiting Appropriations Options: Wait on Appropriations Committee Meets Virtually Committee Meets but without Reimbursement Supplemental Appropriation

Inventory & Inspection: Section 9004 Implemented by USACE as a Continuation of FY06 Supplemental Inventory, Inspection, & Consequence Assessment: “one time” Database Management: continuing requirement Addresses Security Less Urgent, but Much Larger Half of the Act Report Due: 12 Months Levee Safety Act Inventory/ Inspection Database NLD Team Inspection Team Inventory Team National Consequence Team 365 days + Sustainment Districts Others Other Feds

Challenges & Issues WRDA Authorization: $20M for 6 years 98% for Section 9004 Appropriations: FY08 – none in budget line item FY09 - ? Other Federal Agency Impact Cost Sharing Authorities for Section 9004 FACA Does Not Apply to Section 9003 In Receipt of Nominations from ASFPM, NAFSMA, and ASDSO (so far)

Discussion… Eric Halpin, P.E. Special Assistant for Dam & Levee Safety Headquarters US Army Corps of Engineers