PUBLIC SAFETY AT FERC REGULATED PROJECTS. NWHA Fall Workshop Ed Perez, Consultant

Transcription

1 PUBLIC SAFETY AT FERC REGULATED PROJECTS NWHA Fall Workshop Ed Perez, Consultant

2 AGENDA A. Dam Owners, Safety and Public Use B. Public Safety Overview C. The Projects D. What We Can Do E. D2SI s Program F. Takeaways and Enhancements

3 DAM OWNERS HAVE IT TOUGH! 3

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5 HOW BIG IS THE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE? The Statistics. 5

6 Public Safety Incidents at FERC Projects

7 Public Safety Incidents at FERC Projects 150 Reservoir 32 Swimming Locations 7 Types

8 -Dam Identifying Public Safety Risks Areas of Concern at Project Works -Reservoir -Spillway -Tailrace -Canals -Intakes -Powerhouse -Project Operations -Substation 8

9 Areas of concern at Project Works (cont.) Wingwalls, headgate structures Boulders and other riprap materials on dams and dikes Catwalks and slippery spillway surfaces 9

10 Areas of concern at Project Works (cont.) Trash racks and debris deflector booms Seasonal conditions Swift currents, high winds Snow, thin ice Opening day of fishing season Drought exposing shoreline Operational Peaking Projects Remote Operations Required Rec Releases 10

11 s Identifying Public Safety Risks Areas of concern AWAY from Project Works Reservoir Swimming Boating Bank Fishing Scenic overlooks Hiking Trails and Roads 11

12 Areas of concern AWAY from Project Works (cont.) Campgrounds Day Use areas Picnic Areas Boat Ramps Non-Project Structures Within project boundary Bridges over reservoir, dam, spillway, or tailrace Abandoned Buildings

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14 Risk Level Risk Level Risk Level with No Mitigation Countermeasure Applied PERFECT WORLD Hazard Eliminated Risk Level with No Mitigation Countermeasure Applied REALITY Hazard Minimized Restraining Devices Warning Signs Escape Devices Education Project Operation Monitoring & Enforcement 14

15 Amount of protection Identifying Risks and Determining Level of Protection 15

16 AGENDA A. Dam Owners, Safety & Public Use B. Public Safety Overview C. Project Data D. What Can We Do E. D2SI s Program F. Takeways and Enhancements

17 Public Safety Measures(There are 6!) 1.Physical Restraining Devices 2.Warning Devices 3.Escape Devices 4.Education and Information 5.Project Operating Procedures 6.Monitoring and Enforcement 17

18 1) Physical Restraining Devices Fences/Railings/Guardrails/Gates preventing land based access to hazardous project features 18

19 1) Physical Restraining Devices (cont.) Boat barriers and Log Booms Used to keep boats from dam and spillways Should be visible (extend) above the waterline Seasonal features (removable?) 19

20 2) Warning Devices Danger and warning signs and buoys 20

21 2) Warning Devices (cont.) Effective! Not So Much! 21

22 2) Warning Devices (cont.) Audible devices (sirens, horns) Verbal announcements recorded or live - prior to generation or gate openings Lights 22

23 3) Escape Devices (cont.) Grab lines, Safety cables, and Portages 23

24 3) Escape Devices (cont.) Grab lines, Safety cables, and Portages 24

25 4) Education and Training Licensees should: Inform public of specific hazards and general safety rules Promote thru TV/radio/newspaper articles Provide recreational brochures /videos Research other sources - U.S. Coast Guard, International Boating Safety Congress, FERC EAP and Security Programs Employee Training & Certification 25

26 5) Project Operating Procedures Ramping Rates impose or modify Gate Opening modify times or procedures Alter times to allow generation 26

27 6) Monitoring & Enforcement Provide Monitoring and enforcement of: improper safety device use unauthorized project access conditions for safe water access vandalism 27

28 AGENDA A. FERC S Public Safety Authority B. Public Safety Overview C. D2SI s Public Safety Program D. What Can Be Done E. D2SI s Program F. Takeways and Enhancements

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30 FERC PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM

31 D2SI S Role In Public Safety Why are we dealing with public safety? Preamble Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this Profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of Honesty and integrity and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. 31

32 FERC S PUBLIC SAFETY AUTHORITY Section 10(c) of the Federal Power Act requires licensees to conform to the rules and regulations that the Commission may prescribe for the protection of life, health, and property. Ed Perez Engineering 32 NWH Workshop

33 Public Safety Guidelines The mention of Public Safety Plans in the Guidelines is only in two places Examples of possible safety devices and facilities have been depicted on Figure 1 (Appendix 1) to assist staff in its overall review of public safety. An owner should have a wellconceived public safety plan for each of its developments (for further information refer to Appendix 4)

34 Public Safety Guidelines Figure 1 (appendix 1) 34

35 Public Safety Plans Are Required! Article 3XX. Public Safety Plan. Within 60 days from the issuance of the license, the licensee must submit...to the RE a Public Safety Plan. Or as requested by the RE 18 CFR Section 12.42, to the satisfaction of, and within a time specified by the Regional Engineer an applicant or licensee must install safety devices to warn public of fluctuations in flow from the project and protect public in the use of project lands and waters. 35

36 How Many Public Safety Plans Are There? 1863 PSPs and approximately 950 of the FERC Projects have PSPs. Some projects have multiple developments and PSPs. Regional Office No. of PSPs ARO 177 CRO 188 NYRO 794 PRO 212 SFRO

37 Public Safety Plans Filed With D2SI Plans Submitted Over No. of Plans % of Total 20 years ago 872 of 1, years ago 1,413 of 1, years ago 1, The Regional Office Annual Letter included language requesting a reassessment of Plan s that were more than 10 years old. 37

38 Public Safety Task Group - Formed to review FERC s Public Safety Program - Comprised of D2SI & DHAC Staff - On site Inspections performed for 31 Plans submitted. - Focus on areas in Plan. - Site inspections performed at hydro projects in GA, CA, MT, OR & NY. 38

39 Example Of What Was Found Hand drawn plans difficult to read. Hard to see aerial copies. Hard to read maps. Quality of Plans vary greatly Extraneous information on Plans. Onsite conditions and Plan inconsistent. Licensees not inspecting or maintaining their public safety devices (signs, fences, boating safety, rec. areas) 39

40 AGENDA A. Dam Owners, Safety & Public Use B. Public Safety Overview C. The Projects D. What We Can Do E. D2SI s Program F. Takeaways and Enhancements

41 Takeaways and Enhancements What Licensee/Exemptees must consider: 1. Public safety measures needed to warn public of operation impacts. 2. Public safety measures at FERC-required recreation areas within the project boundary. 3. Are Public Safety measures adequate for the amount and type of public use at the project. 41

42 Takeaways and Enhancements What D2SI considers: If remotely operated. - Increased chances of accidents if no one on site - Are more safety devices needed to warn the public? - What type of operation warning alarm does project have? Is there adequate/understandable signage? Is there a feedback loop? - Are cameras used for visual checks? If so: What happens if they become inoperable? Are cameras shown on PSP? On the map? Security? 42

43 Takeaways and Enhancements D2SI also considers the level of recreation at the project: Is there a high level of recreation at the project? Are the public safety devices adequate? Do they warn or restrict public from all foreseeable hazards? 43

44 Takeaways and Enhancements D2SI also looks in DAMS and project files for recent incident reports. 44

45 Takeaways and Enhancements D2SI also considers that the measures in the field are in the current PSP. 45

46 Takeaways and Enhancements Enhancements to the Public Safety Program are Coming: 1. Updating the Public Safety Guidelines 2. Updating D2SI Operating Manual 3. New Public Safety page on FERC.gov 4. Quick Reference Tables in development. 5. Training 6. Licensee Workshops 46

47 Takeaways and Enhancements Public Safety Hazard Table 47

48 Takeaways and Enhancements Public Safety Self-Assessment Form 48

49 Takeaways and Enhancements For recently submitted PSPs: 1. First group of PSPs inspected and reviewed received response letter. 2. For new licenses, they will be reviewed and responded to. 3. For any projects with current or ongoing public safety issues, they are being reviewed now. 4. The remainder of PSPs are still on hold? 49

50 Thank You Sorry Dad, but my true passion is for making furniture, not dams Questions? 50