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CWPPRA
COASTAL WETLANDS PLANNING, PROTECTION AND RESTORATION ACT
TASK FORCE MEETING


AGENDA
May 14, 2015, 9:30 a.m.

Location:

Estuarine Fisheries and Habitat Center
Conference Room 119
646 Cajundome Blvd.
Lafayette, Louisiana

Documentation of Task Force meetings may be found at:
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/CWPPRA.aspx

Tab Number Agenda Item

  1. Meeting Initiation 9:30 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.
    1. Introduction of Task Force or Alternates
    2. Opening remarks of Task Force Members
    3. Request for Agenda Changes/Additional Agenda Items/Adoption of Agenda

  2. Decision: Adoption of Minutes from the January 22, 2015 Task Force Meeting (Brad Inman, USACE) 9:40 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Mr. Brad Inman will present the minutes from the last Task Force meeting. Task Force members may provide suggestions for additional information to be included in the official minutes.

  3. Report: Status of CWPPRA Program Funds and Projects (Susan Mabry, USACE) 9:45 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. Ms. Susan Mabry will provide an overview of the status of CWPPRA accounts and available funding in the Planning and Construction Programs.

  4. Report: Request Approved by Task Force Electronic Vote for an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Budget Increase and Incremental Funding for Barataria Waterway West Bank Protection Project (BA-23) (Brad Inman, USACE) 9:55 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. NRCS and CPRA requested approval for an O&M budget increase and incremental funding for the PPL 4 - Barataria Waterway West Bank Protection Project (BA-23) in the amount of $291,423. After construction was completed in November 2000, first costs (Engineering & Design, Lands, and Construction) were reconciled and $291,423 was returned to the CWPPRA program. Recently, the culverts have become perforated and the associated earthen embankment is experiencing significant erosion. The proposed repair is to insert a culvert liner; however, if it is not performed in a timely manner, the repair could become much more difficult and costly. There is approximately $207,000 remaining in the O&M budget, which is insufficient to do the repair. Therefore, NRCS and CPRA requested that the BA-23 O&M budget be increased by $291,423 and request incremental funding in the same amount. The total project cost would remain $3,304,787 as previously approved by the Task Force. The Technical Committee voted at the April 16, 2015 meeting to recommend approval to the Task Force and requested an electronic vote to help expedite the repair. The Task Force approved the request via electronic vote on May 6, 2015.

  5. Report: Construction Update (Brad Inman, USACE) 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. The CWPPRA agencies will provide a report on projects that are currently under construction and projects that have recently completed construction.

  6. Report: Selection of Eleven Candidate Projects and One Demonstration Projects to Evaluate for PPL 25 (Kevin Roy, FWS) 10:15 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. At the April 16, 2015 meeting, the Technical Committee selected eleven projects as PPL 25 candidates for Phase 0 analysis as listed below. The Technical Committee also selected the Shoreline Protection, Preservation & Restoration (SPPR) Panel demonstration project to move forward in the PPL process.

    Region
    Basin
    PPL 25 Nominees
    Agency
    1
    Pontchartrain
    North Shell Beach Marsh Creation
    USACE/EPA
    1
    Pontchartrain
    Fritchie Marsh Creation & Terracing
    NMFS
    2
    Barataria
    Caminada Headlands Back Barrier Marsh Creation #2
    EPA
    2
    Barataria
    Barataria Bay Rim Marsh Creation
    NRCS
    2
    Barataria
    East Bayou Lafourche Marsh Creation & Terracing
    FWS
    2
    Barataria
    East Leeville Marsh Creation & Nourishment
    NMFS
    3
    Terrebonne
    Bayou Terrebonne Ridge Restoration & Marsh Creation
    FWS
    3
    Teche-Vermilion
    West Vermilion Bay Shoreline Protection & Marsh Creation
    NRCS/EPA
    4
    Mermentau
    Southeast Pecan Island Marsh Creation & Freshwater Enhancement
    NRCS
    4
    Mermentau
    Sweeney Tract Marsh Creation & Nourishment
    NMFS
    4
    Calcasieu-Sabine
    Oyster Lake Marsh Creation & Nourishment
    NMFS

     
    PPL 25 Demonstration Project Candidate
    Agency
    DEMO
    Shoreline Protection, Preservation & Restoration (SPPR) Panel
    NMFS

  7. Report/Decision: Upcoming 20-Year Life Projects (Brad Inman, USACE) 10:35 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The project sponsors will present recommended paths forward for projects nearing the end of their 20 year lives. The Task Force will consider the Technical Committee's recommendation to approve the paths forward for the following projects:

    1. Projects requesting approval for project closeout with no additional cost increase:
      CS-22
      Clear Marais Bank Protection
      USACE
      Mar 2017
      TE-22
      Point au Fer Canal Plugs
      NMFS
      May 2017
      MR-06
      Channel Armor Gap Crevasse
      USACE
      Nov 2017
      AT-02
      Atchafalaya Sediment Delivery
      NMFS
      Mar 2018
      TE-23
      West Belle Pass Barrier Headland Restoration
      USACE
      Aug 2018
      AT-03
      Big Island Mining
      NMFS
      Oct 2018
      PO-19
      MRGO Disposal Area Marsh Protection
      USACE
      Jan 2019

    2. Projects requesting approval to pursue project extension through formal evaluation:
      CS-04a
      Cameron-Creole Maintenance
      NRCS
      Sep 2017
      CS-17
      Cameron Creole Plugs
      FWS
      Jan 2017

    3. Projects requesting approval for a six year no-cost extension:
      PO-18
      Bayou Sauvage Hydrologic Restoration #2
      FWS
      May 2017

    4. Projects requesting approval for project closeout pending final O&M cost increases in the amount of $1,274,967:
      TV-09
      Boston Canal/Vermilion Bay Bank Protection**
      NRCS
      Nov 2015
      $630,891
      CS-20
      East Mud Lake Marsh Management
      NRCS
      Jun 2016
      $643,986

    5. Projects requesting approval for 20-year extension, budget increases in the amount of $7,056,150, and incremental funding in the amount of $14,794.
      Project
      No.
      Project Name
      Federal
      Sponsor
      Project
      End Date
      Budget
      Increase
      Request
      Incremental
      Funding
      Request
      ME-04
      Freshwater Bayou Wetland Protection
      NRCS
      Mar 2015
      $3,789,112
      $14,794
      ME-13
      Freshwater Bayou Bank Stabilization
      NRCS
      Jun 2018
      $3,267,038
      $0

  8. Decision: FY16 Planning Budget Approval, including the PPL 26 Process, and Presentation of FY16 Outreach Budget (Process, Size, Funding, etc.) (Brad Inman, USACE) 11:15 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. The P&E Subcommittee will present their recommended FY16 Planning Program Budget development, including the PPL 26 Process.
    1. The Task Force will consider the Technical Committee's recommendation to approve that the PPL 26 Process include selecting four nominees in the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins; three projects in the Breton Sound and Pontchartrain Basins; two nominees in the Mermentau, Calcasieu/Sabine, and Tech/Vermilion Basins; and one nominee will be selected in the Atchafalaya Basin.
    2. The Task Force will consider the Technical Committee's recommendation to approve the FY16 Outreach Committee Budget, in the amount of $446,113.
    3. The Task Force will consider the Technical Committee's recommendation to approve the FY16 Planning Budget (includes Outreach Committee Budget), in the amount of $5,002,132.

  9. Report: Status of the 2015 Report to Congress (Darryl Clark, FWS) 11:20 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. Mr. Darryl Clark will provide a status update on the 2015 Report to Congress.

  10. Report: Public Outreach Committee Report (Kelia Bingham, USGS) 11:25 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. Ms. Kelia Bingham will present the Public Outreach Committee report.

  11. Report: Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS) Report (Dona Weifenbach, CPRA) 11:35 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Ms. Dona Weifenbach will provide a report on CRMS.

  12. Report: Sediment Containment for Marsh Creation Demonstration Project (LA-09) Final Report (Ron Boustany, NRCS) 11:45 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. NRCS will present the Final Report for the Sediment Containment for Marsh Creation Demonstration Project (LA-09). A brief PowerPoint presentation will be provided along with information on how to access the Final Report.

  13. Decision: Request for O&M Budget and Incremental Funding Increase for the Black Bayou Culverts Project (CS-29) (Britt Paul, NRCS) 11:55 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. The Black Bayou Culverts (CS-29) structure was experiencing tidal salt water ingress at the project site through voids that developed underneath the culvert structure. To address the problem, NRCS and CPRA requested funding for the formulation of a design to permanently repair the structure. Lonnie Harper & Associates was chosen to perform the design of the proposed repair. At the January 16, 2014 Task Force meeting, the Task Force approved a project increase to fund the repair work. The contract award for these repairs was $6,920,303, which is within the budgeted allocation for this work, but it leaves very little funds available for modification and contingencies. Due to the nature of the repair work and to allow timely potential modifications through the completion of the contract, NRCS and CPRA request a project budget and funding increase of $500,000 for CS-29. The revised total project cost would be $16,899,059. The Task Force will consider the Technical Committee's recommendation to approve a budget and funding increase in the amount of $500,000 for CS-29 to allow for a MIPR to be in place should the funds be needed, with the caveat that the funds not be spent without Technical Committee approval.

  14. Decision: Scope Change Request for Cameron Creole Freshwater Introduction Project (CS-49) (Troy Mallach, NRCS) 12:05 p.m. to 12:10 p.m. NRCS has completed 30% design of the Cameron Creole Freshwater Introduction Project (CS-49) and CPRA has concurred with proceeding to 95% Design. Based on revisions to costs and benefits, NRCS requests approval of a scope change and to proceed with the project. The Task Force will consider the Technical Committee's recommendation to approve the scope change for CS-49 and allow the project to move to 95% design with the understanding that two designs will be evaluated for both costs and benefits: one design will include rock on the GIWW and the other without. In addition, prior to being allowed to compete for Phase II funds, the project sponsors shall provide all required information to the Technical Committee to select the alternative to be considered for funding.

  15. Decision: Request for Approval for Final Deauthorization of the PPL 19 - Chenier Ronquille Barrier Island Restoration Project (BA-76) (Cece Linder, NMFS) 12:10 p.m. to 12:15 p.m. NMFS and CPRA are requesting approval for final deauthorization for the Chenier Ronquille Barrier Island Restoration Project (BA-76) due to securing of construction funds for this project from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Phase III Early Restoration Plan in October 2014. This project had a favorable 95% design review through the CWPPRA process but did not secure phase 2 funding approval in 2012 and 2013. The Task Force will consider the Technical Committee's recommendation to approve final deauthorization of the Chenier Ronquille Barrier Island Restoration project.

  16. Decision: Request for Approval for Final Deauthorization of the PPL 17 - West Pointe a la Hache Marsh Creation Project (BA-47) (Bren Haase, CPRA) 12:15 p.m. to 12:20 p.m. CPRA and NRCS are requesting approval for final deauthorization for the West Pointe a la Hache Marsh Creation (BA-47) Project. This project is currently being constructed utilizing remaining CWPPRA funds from the Lake Hermitage Marsh Creation project (BA-42). The Task Force will consider the Technical Committee's recommendation to approve final deauthorization of the West Pointe a la Hache Marsh Creation project.

  17. Additional Agenda Items (Col. Richard Hansen, USACE) 12:20 p.m. to 12:25 p.m.

  18. Request for Public Comments (Col. Richard Hansen, USACE) 12:25 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  19. Announcement: Date of Upcoming CWPPRA Program Meeting (Brad Inman, USACE) 12:30 p.m. to 12:35 p.m. The Technical Committee meeting will be held September 10, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Louisiana Room), 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

  20. Announcement: Date of Upcoming CWPPRA 25th Anniversary Dedication Event (Brad Inman, USACE) 12:35 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. A Dedication Ceremony will be held on October 14, 2015 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the CWPPRA Program. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Grand Isle, Louisiana. More details will be provided via the CWPPRA Newsflash.

  21. Announcement: Scheduled Dates of Future Program Meetings (Brad Inman, USACE) 12:40 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
    2015
    September 10, 2015
    9:30 a.m.
    Technical Committee Meeting
    Baton Rouge
    October 15, 2015
    9:30 a.m.
    Task Force Meeting
    Grand Isle
    December 10, 2015
    9:30 a.m.
    Technical Committee Meeting
    Baton Rouge

  22. Decision: Adjourn

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