Stream Restoration: a Story of Partial Successes, Partial Failures, and How We React

Transcription

1 Introduction Stream Restoration: a Story of Partial Successes, Partial Failures, and How We React Ellen McClure & Joe Berg, Biohabitats, Inc. River Restoration Northwest Symposium, Skamania, WA February 2015

2 Setting an intention of success Super Bowl Champs XLVIII, but not so much in XLIX

3 Success choosing to react Failure

4 Project conceptualization & goal setting

5 Industry drivers Natural Capital Productive soils Clean air Fresh water Biodiversity Climate regulation Social Capital Interactions Education Relationships Economic Capital Prosperity Equality Security Regulatory Drivers Mitigation requirements No-net loss regulations Phase I/II NPDES MS4 permits 404 permitting streams / wetlands TMDLs (nutrients, sed, bacteria, trash) Threatened and endangered species Sustainability mandates Palmer Lab, Univ of MD

6 Inviting failure PROJECT TEAM Goals and supporting design elements not understood by all involved Underqualified designer and/or contractor Poor team communication Dramatic team substitutions that disrupt the design-construction (& monitoring) process Steamroll approach by one team member Limitations of roles Design-bid-build versus design-build

7 Inviting failure: the project team Client new to stream restoration. Stream channel realignment away from eroding hillslope.

8 Inviting failure: the project team Designer excluded from participation in construction stage. Designer s intent is not translated

9 Inviting failure: the project team Built conditions: many discrepancies from design Design-bid-build should include designer in construction process.

10 Inviting failure: the project team Design-bid-build, built w/ independent third party oversight. Same issues, construction team lacks full context.

11 Inviting failure: the project team Design/build framework can promote better results through closer collaboration. All parties have access to context & assume risk in decision-making. Designer can work with contractor to adapt to issues as they come up.

12 Inviting failure PROJECT SCOPE & BUDGET Undervaluing quality work & the expense associated with good work. The competitive process forces out any contingency. Lofty dreams. Setting the early & unreachable bar.

13 Inviting failure: project scope and budget An inspirational vision can sell a project. Associated calculations set an expectation. Reasons tend to emerge that require revisions to expectations

14 Inviting failure PROJECT DYNAMICS (and reactions) No wiggle room (schedule, deliverables). Expecting everything to go as planned, perfectly. Conflict avoidance. All parties are hiding risks.

15 Inviting failure: project dynamics Project included: Bioretention facilities to treat runoff from impervious surfaces. Stream restoration techniques for floodplain reconnection.

16 Inviting failure: project dynamics Got contingency? Go ahead and expect a10-year storm to impact project area during or within several months of construction.

17 Inviting failure: project dynamics Many things settle with patience. Target repairs to address remainder.

18 Inviting failure: project dynamics Something will go wrong. You just don t know what yet

19 Our role in the narrative: highlighting failures

20 Our role in the narrative: highlighting successes Source: Solange Filosa, University of Maryland

21 Inviting success Grow relationships with PROJECT TEAM members to build trust and true collaboration. Set realistic parameters for PROJECT SCOPE & BUDGET that support project goals. Stop process and reassess when there is a departure. Expect departure & bumps with PROJECT DYNAMICS and brainstorm ways through them. The best way out is always through. Robert Frost

22 Inviting success let s make better mistakes? Adaptive risk management Sharing in smaller risks with good partners Linking approach to a goal, even a hypothesis Apply what is being learned long-term Requires patience & commitment Have some fun; throw some sand

23 Inviting success Dare to dream with the right team

24 Insert your wisdom here