PowerPoint Presentation

Dam Safety Actfor Alabama1Baldwin Hills Dam Disaster - 1963

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IRS Code 501-(c )-(6), non for profit organization, advocating for the engineering profession in Alabama.

ACEC is a federation, headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in each state of the nation.

ACEC's roots date back to 1909 when a small group of engineers in private practice established the American Institute of Consulting Engineers (AICE), the forerunner of ACEC. Today ACEC is a large federation of 51 state and regional councils representing the great breadth of America's engineering industry. ACEC member firms employ hundreds of thousands of engineers, architects, land surveyors, scientists, and other specialists, responsible for more than $200 billion of private and public works annually. Member firms range in size from a single registered professional engineer to corporations employing thousands of engineering and industry related professionals.

2014 marks the 50th anniversary of ACECs operation in Alabama.

Members Firms: 53Associates/Sustaining Firms: 17Annual Operating Income: $400,000.003What we know:Alabama Dam Safety ActAlabama is the only state in the nation without a dam safety program.

The location and condition of most dams in Alabama is unknown.

Most Alabama dams do not have an Emergency Action Plan.

There is a lack of information for citizens and emergency management officials to plan for an emergency in the event of a dam failure or mis-operation.

4Alabamas National Inventory of Dams (NID) Red: High HazardFailure or mis-operation would cause loss of human life and significant property destruction.

Yellow: Significant HazardFailure or mis-operation will cause significant property destruction

Black: Low HazardFailure would cause minimal property destruction.

THIS MAP DATA IS OVER 30 YEARS OLD!

Through a FEMA grant, ADECAs Office of Water Resources updated some dam safety inventory information in 16 counties using aerial imagery and found that NID dams in those counties increased from 214 to 866. Presently, ADECAs Office of Water Resources reports that 2/3 of the state has been inventoried.5Bill history:Alabama Dam Safety ActDialogue with Stakeholders

Bill reportedly died in committee

Office of Water Resources, ADECA

2008 BillHB454

Provides for inventory and classification of dams, but no regulation of dams.

Rep. Wood, Canfield, McCutcheon, Laird, Bridges, Fite

Bill died in Commerce Committee

Office of Water Resources, ADECA2014 BillHB610

Rep. McClurklin and leaders in a community within her district contacted ASDSO. A national model bill was introduced, in joint effort with ASCE.

Rep. McClurklin, Hill and Wallace

Bill died in Commerce and Small Business Committee

Office of Water Resources, ADECA

2003 Bill6Provisions:Alabama Dam Safety ActAn Alabama dam safety program comprehensively regulates dam safety in Alabama.

If enacted, the bill would establish statewide procedures for the construction, alteration, repair, operation, abandonment and removal of dams.

The bill would require inspection of existing dams.

Oversee remediation of deficient dams.

Permit the construction of new dams.

High Hazard Potential and Significant Hazard Potential dams must have an approved Emergency Action Plan.

Dam owners would work with local officials and dam owners on emergency preparedness to mitigate losses resulting from dam failures.7Dam Safety Act for AlabamaThe advocates

8 StakeholdersPublic Entities - Federal, State, County, Municipal, etc.Private owners & Land DevelopersMining IndustriesUtilitiesElectric, Water, Sewer, etc.Agricultural IndustriesFarming/Forestry/Pulp PaperParks & Recreation

USACEUSDA/Natural Resources Conservation ServiceManufacturersRiver Users AlliancesHomeland SecurityHome Owner GroupsFEMA/Alabama EMADept. of Industrial RelationsSoil and Water Conservation CommissionElected OfficialsDownstream Communities/Property Owners

9common core A dam safety program is a life/safety matter. Engineers have an ethical responsibility to protect the public. This bill makes sense for Alabama.

This matter has a tremendous environmental impact. Engineers have an obligation to influence meaningful legislation to protect the People of Alabama.10moving forwardStart with the pre-negotiated bill version.Initiate dialogue; seek feedback from Stakeholders.Educate legislative leadership and governor on the need for this legislation.Initiate a Stakeholders meeting this fall.Introduce bill early in the 2015 regular session.Stay the course.

11Contact UsRene Anne CasillasACEC/Alabama Executive Director531 Herron Street | Montgomery, Alabama 36104P. 334.264.1500 | F. 334.264.0099 | www.aceca.org

Kevin Blake, PEACEC/Alabama President, 2014-2015Principal Engineer, VPCTL, Inc.1211 Newell Parkway | Montgomery, Alabama 36110P. 334.260.9174 | F. 334.260-9177 | M. 334.430.5951

Alain Gallet, PE, FACECACEC/Alabama Past President & Legislative ChairmanSenior Principal, National Director - Energy SectorTerracon Consultants | M. 205.541.7956 | P. 205.942.1289

Joe Meads, PEASCE/AL Legislative Chairman, Past ACEC/Alabama Birmingham Area Vice PresidentPrincipal/OwnerSain Associates, Inc. | P. 205.940.6420

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