Description
1) The Olympics of Levee Setbacks: Qualifying Times,
Hurdles, and Relays
Randall Behm, PE, CFM, BEHM Hazard Mitigation,
LLC, floodfighter@q.com
Co-presenters: None
Abstract: Flood risk
management in the United States, primarily along rivers and streams, has
historically been conducted through the construction of levees to control
flooding. In recent decades climate change has continued to evolve into dynamic
weather patterns resulting in disastrous flooding from coast to coast. Just as traditional an action for
constructing levees is for trying to control flooding, is the process of
repeatedly repairing damaged levees to their pre-flood condition, only to
repeat the process. During this presentation, Mr. Randall Behm will discuss why
levee setbacks should be incorporated into the national satchel of techniques
for reducing flood damage, increasing resiliency, and supporting environmental
functions. This presentation will provide
the audience with information regarding why levee setbacks are vital to current
US policies for managing flood risk. The
flood damage reduction benefits, environmental benefits, and reduction in
reconstruction costs associated with setting at risk levees back from the river
are critical to improving flood risk management policies which are archaic in
their current status. This presentation
encourages consideration of potential legislative language which requires the
identification of and documentation of at-risk levee systems through
significant flood damage and reconstruction costs, as well as opportunities for
federal agencies to collaborate on the planning processes for implementation of
future levee setbacks.
2) Greenways in the Floodway: Design Solutions for Flooding Trails in Urban
Areas
Andrew Martin,
PE (NC, SC, PA), CFM, ESP Associates, amartin@espassociates.com
Co-presenters: Gina Straga, gstraga@espassociates.com; Robert
Billings, robert.billings@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Abstract: This
presentation will focus on the benefits and challenges associated with building
greenways adjacent to creeks. It will explore a case study of the existing Little
Sugar Creek Greenway in urban Charlotte, North Carolina. A portion of the
existing greenway is built through an existing culvert that experiences
frequent flooding due to quick rising water levels in the area. Sediment
build-up in the culvert barrels and the delayed reopening of the trail after
rain have caused an increase in maintenance activities and a negative user
experience. This presentation will explore a solution to help reduce the
frequency of flooding on the greenway while balancing flood risk and meeting
the requirements of the NFIP. The presentation will also explore collaborative
opportunities between recreation uses and floodplain managers to reach mutually
beneficial solutions.
3) The Multiple Benefits of Floodplain Easements: An Assessment of Demand for Floodplain Easements in the Upper Mississippi River Basin
Olivia Dorothy, American Rivers, odorothy@americanrivers.org
Co-presenters: None
Abstract: American Rivers’ recent report “The Multiple Benefits of Floodplain Easements” assesses the demand for floodplain easements in the Upper Mississippi River Basin and how USDA conservation easement programs often miss flood-prone acres. The Secretary of Agriculture has declared flood-related agricultural disasters annually across the five Upper Mississippi River Basin states, yet funding for the USDA floodplain easement program has only been open to enrollment twice in the region. Our study found that significant new investments are needed in the Upper Mississippi River Basin to reduce agricultural damages from flooding. In the five Upper Mississippi River Basin states – Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin – flooding is the most frequent and widespread cause of crop damage. Over the past decade, flood-related agricultural damages in the five Upper Mississippi River Basin states have exceeded $8 billion, while flood prevention funding over that same time was only $267 million. The Report links escalating flood damages and costs to climate change driven changes in precipitation and documents a clear need and desire for greater investments in flood prevention programs, like the USDA floodplain easement program. To reduce agricultural flood damages, Congress needs to open the floodplain easement program for annual enrollment and make other resources available for farmers to prevent flood damages.
Contributors
-
Randall Behm
Mr. Behm has 37 years combined experience as a hydraulic engineer focusing on flood risk reduction and increased resiliency through the US Army Corps of Engineers and Behm Hazard Mitigation, LLC. For the past twenty years Mr. Behm has sought to reduce flood damages and increase resiliency to flooding through implementation of nonstructural techniques, including modification to existing levee systems which continue to fail and be reconstructed, which is counterintuitive to recent significant flooding events, which may be attributable to climate change. Mr. Behm was involved in a project to set a damaged federal levee back from the river after the 2011 Missouri River flood event and has most recently assisted in the development of a white paper for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership on the flood risk reduction and environmental benefits of setting some levees back from the river and with The Nature Conservancy on documenting their involvement and partnership in setting another Missouri River levee back from the river after the 2019 flood event.
-
Andrew Martin
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in natural hazard identification, risk analysis, hazard mitigation, and disaster recovery. He is currently working in FEMA Headquarters' Engineering Services Branch. Prior to this, he was the Chief of New York State's Public Assistance division and prior to that he served as the Risk Analysis Branch Chief for FEMA Region II. Andrew is committed to providing the highest level of service to communities and stakeholders and will strive to maintain existing and develop new robust working relationships with local, State, Tribal, and federal partners, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.
-
Olivia Dorothy
Olivia joined American Rivers in 2014 and manages river restoration and protection programs in the Midwest, with a focus on restoring the Mississippi River. Prior to joining American Rivers, Olivia was the Upper Mississippi River Director for the Izaak Walton League of America. Before entering the non-profit sector, Olivia worked in Illinois government as a rivers and water policy advisor for Governor Pat Quinn and Lt. Governor Sheila Simon. Olivia is a Certified Floodplain Manager and has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and a Master of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Illinois.