Description
1) National Levee Safety Program: Framework for a State
Model Levee Safety Program
Michael Bachand, PE, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, michael.l.bachand@usace.army.mil
Co-presenters: None
Abstract: Levee systems play a critical role in managing flood
risk for the Nation. Approximately 25,000 miles of levees reduce risk to over
17 million people that live and work behind them. They also reduce risk to $2.3
trillion in property value and much of our Nation’s critical infrastructure.
Managing those levees, however, poses challenges especially as levees continue
to age, natural hazards become more frequent and intense, public awareness of
flood risk remains low, and approaches to levee management vary. To help
address those challenges, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are co-leading the National Levee
Safety Program – a program intended to support a more consistent approach to
levee management in the U.S. with the goal of reducing impacts from flooding
and improving community resiliency in areas behind levees. Since the program
launch in December 2021, those who are responsible for, have an interest in,
and are affected by levees and flood risk management activities have played a
key role in providing input into development of the program. This interactive session will begin with a
brief update to the National Levee Safety Program since its initial launch,
including a summary of stakeholder feedback heard during Phase 1 scoping
efforts, and transition to an audience feedback session on the proposed tiering
structure for a model levee safety program. Key questions in this session will
focus on initial steps and supporting resources needed by states to establish a
levee safety program.
2) National Levee Safety Guidelines: A Resource for Achieving Nationwide
Consistency
Michael Bachand, PE, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, michael.l.bachand@usace.army.mil
Co-presenters: None
Abstract: National Levee Safety Guidelines, comprised of
voluntary best practices, will serve as an up-to-date resource designed to help
achieve nationwide consistency in improving the reliability of levees and
resiliency of communities behind levees throughout the United States. The
guidelines are being developed with extensive stakeholder input and are
intended to be used by a broad audience such as regulators, levee
owners/operators, design and construction professionals, emergency management
agencies, states/tribal/local governments, and floodplain managers. Topics in
the guidelines range from basic concepts and terminology to consistent
approaches for levee-related activities throughout the lifecycle of a levee.
Strategies to reduce flooding impacts to people, property, and the environment,
to include infrastructure projects, education and awareness, and natural or
nature-based solutions are also addressed in the guidelines. This interactive session will begin with
progress made on the National Levee Safety Guidelines since the initial launch
of the National Levee Safety Program and transition to an audience feedback
session. Key questions in this session will focus on several concepts presented
in the draft guidelines including risk-informed decision making, public
education and awareness, climate adaptation, and best practices related to
nature-based solutions and engaging historically marginalized populations.
National Levee Database & Data Collection: Supporting Levee Management Decisions
Brian Vanbockern, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, brian.d.vanbockern@usace.army.mil
Co-presenters: Suzanne Vermeer, suzanne.vermeer@fema.dhs.gov
Abstract: Data underpins decisions made in every industry today – including levee management decisions. To help those who fund, construct, manage, and benefit from levees make decisions that promote reliable levees and resilient communities, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Emergency Management Agency are working together to improve levee data and promote widespread use of the National Levee Database. The National Levee Database provides a consistent set of data and information about levees in the U.S. including their location, general condition, and an estimate of the number of structures and population in the leveed area. As part of the National Levee Safety Program, efforts are underway to get a better understanding of levees in the U.S., the true cost of maintaining levees, and quantifying the Nation’s flood exposure. This interactive session will begin with progress made on the National Levee Database and data collection efforts since initial launch of the National Levee Safety Program and transition to an audience feedback session. Key questions in this session will focus on data collection efforts, initial findings on the cost of levee activities, and potential updates to the National Levee Database.
Contributors
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Michael Bachand
Mr. Mike Bachand is currently serving as a Technical Manager within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Levee Safety Center supporting development of the National Levee Safety Program. Prior to this assignment, Mike spent almost 10 years in the New England District serving in various roles including Chief of the Geotechnical/Water Resources Branch responsible for overseeing dam and levee safety program managers and as the Levee Safety Program Manager (LSPM) where he was responsible for overseeing administration of USACE’s Levee Safety Program polices for over 60 levee systems in New England. Mike also completed an assignment as the Deputy Chief of Engineering and Construction Division at the Norfolk District as part of the Executive Leadership Development Program. During this assignment, he spent a considerable amount of time in construction working on the Arlington National Cemetery expansion. Prior to joining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mike spent 13 years working in private industry for CDM Smith where he served as a geotechnical engineer at the staff, project and principal level working on multiple national and international projects focusing on levees, floodwalls, impoundments (coal ash and aluminum tailings), dredging, sediment disposal areas, landfills, water/wastewater treatment plants, and pump stations for public, private, and federal sector clients.
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Brian Vanbockern
Mr. Brian VanBockern has over 27 years of experience in geospatial analysis, surveying, information technology, planning, and intelligence. He spent the last 10 years as the National Levee Database technical manager overseeing the system’s transition to new technology platforms and expansion to its new role as a National Levee Safety Program data platform. Brian also serves as team lead responsible for overseeing dam, levee and flood modeling applications deployed in the cloud for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He spent the last 5 years integrating levee safety data processes with FEMA business processes and jointly collaborating on data and technology improvements. He also serves with the emergency management community providing flood modeling, dam, and levee data support for major disaster events and as an international trainer to NATO area countries. Prior to working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Brian served as an intelligence analyst, emergency management analyst, and planner for several federal agencies.