ITEM TITLE:
Lowe River Levee Certification Update Report and Timeline
SUBMITTED BY: AnnMarie Lain, CFM
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Report only.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Lowe River Levee Certification Update Report and Timeline
October 31, 2016 → The City of Valdez submitted to FEMA for levee certification/accreditation for the Lowe River Levee System. The process by which FEMA certifies levees is thru a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). Required submittals include: a) design criteria; b) an operational plan; c) an interior drainage plan; d) a maintenance plan; and e) certified as-built levee plans. Additionally the City is required to provide public notice stating the intent to revise the regulatory floodway. These notices must include the extent of the proposed revision, the changes to the regulatory floodway, and contact information for any interested party.
March 6, 2017 → Individual notices were sent to all property owners affected by the application for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for levee certification.
March 13, 2017→ The City of Valdez responded to FEMA’s request for additional supporting data which included an affidavit of mail on the individual public notices.
April 27, 2017→ FEMA responded to the City that additional data and some repairs were required to complete their review. The additional data request, in part, is documentation of the additional freeboard that was added during emergency declarations in 2015 and 2016. FEMA also identified some minor deficiencies on the west end of Groin 1, which in a few areas is short of the freeboard requirement of about 4-6 inches. The City has 90 days to respond to FEMA’s data request. The City of Valdez is bringing in a contractor to address the freeboard deficiencies on the west end of Groin 1 and plans to have the final surface as-built survey completed and submitted to FEMA within 90 days of the April 27, 2017 review comment date. The total cost of the repairs for Groin 1 is projected to be within the City Manager’s signing authority, less than $40,000. The final grading plan design has been completed and in conformance with the procurement code, Capital Facilities will get three quotes prior to awarding the contract. The improvements are required to be completed and submitted by July 27th, 2017.
May 31, 2017 → Final Groin 2 grading plan, titled “Environmental Protection and Sediment Control,” submitted to City of Valdez.
June 2, 2017→ Request for Quotes
June 26, 2017→ Groin 2 grading work starts.
July 7, 2017→ Groin 2 grading and as-built work completed.
July 27, 2017→ Due date to submit final documentation to FEMA.
The most significant finding of FEMA’s review is on Groin 2, the most westerly groin for which FEMA refers to as the hanging levee component. Over the last two years, the City has added on a significant portion to this levee during Emergency Declarations. Due to a number of unresolved issues on Groin 2, our hydrologists have recommended the City postpone certification of Groin 2 and focus on certification of the upper levee system.
Staff has included the findings from FEMA on Groin 2 in documentation to DOWL for the Lowe River Levee Evaluation Review, which is due to staff on June 9, 2017. Staff will include the recommendations from both FEMA and DOWL to pursue certification of Groin 2 as part of the flood mitigation plan for 2018. Staff has included the April 27, 2017 response from FEMA for your review. Staff will continue to update City Council as information becomes available.
