Emergency Action Plans for Dams in Texas

Transcription

1 Emergency Action Plans for Dams in Texas An EMC s Role With The EAP Presented By: Megan Dutton, P.E. TCEQ Dam Safety Program

2 Agenda Dam Safety Program Overview, Introductions What is an Emergency Action Plan and Who Needs One Why We re Here Today - EMCs

3 Survey How many EMCs? How many have seen an EAP? How many have participated in a tabletop exercise? How many have issues or questions with the EAP process?

4 Dam Safety Program Part of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Critical Infrastructure Division Missions: To protect the lives, safety, and health of the public from dam failures or improper operation and to preserve the beneficial uses of dams and reservoirs. To reduce these risks with an understanding of the limitations placed by technical, economic, political, and social concerns.

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6 Dam Safety Program Section Manager- Warren Samuelson, P.E. Team Leaders Johnny Cosgrove, P.E. Jeff Thomas, P.E., P.G. Debra Rankin, P.E. 21 Full Time Staff (Engineers, EITs, Technicians) Megan Dutton, P.E. - EAP Coordinator

7 Dam Safety Program Over 7,000 Total Dams in Texas Nearly 1,600 Dams Regularly Inspected by Dam Safety Program High and Significant Hazard Non-Exempt Inspect Dams Every 5 Years

8 Dam Exemptions Per Legislation, Exempt Dams Must Meet All 5 Criteria: - Privately Owned - Less than 500 acre-feet Maximum Capacity - Located in a County With Population Less Than 350,000 (per 2010 census) - Located Outside City Limits - Low or Significant Hazard About 200 dams that are Significant hazard, but are exempt

9 What is an Emergency Action Plan? A formal document that identifies potential emergency conditions at a dam and specifies preplanned actions to be followed to minimize property damage and loss of life.

10 Who is Required to Have an EAP? All Dam Owners with a High or Significant Hazard Dam Not Required for Exempt Dams

11 Title Page Introduction Purpose General Description of Dam Contents of an EAP Emergency Conditions Resources Emergency Detection, Evaluation, and Classification Preparedness Supplies and Resources Implementation Updating Training

12 Responsibilities Dam Owner TCEQ EMC Write EAP Operation and Maintenance of Dam Detect a Problem/Emergency Situation at the Dam Decision Making/Notification of Emergency Response Agencies Review and Accept EAP Provide Aide as Needed/Able Follow-Up Sign EAP/Acknowledge Roles and Responsibilities Issue Warnings to Affected Area(s) Evacuations, as Necessary Coordination With Additional Emergency Response Agencies, as Necessary

13 Emergency Classifications Watch Condition- Monitor the Dam

14 Emergency Classifications Possible Dam Failure- Save the Dam

15 Emergency Classification Imminent Dam Failure- Save Lives

16 Emergency Classification Dam Failure- Save Lives

17 Notification Flowcharts There are Generally 2 Notification Flowcharts One for Watch Conditions One for Possible/Imminent Dam Breach When Reviewing EAP, Ensure The Flowcharts Are Accurate EMC Should be Relatively High on the List EMC Generally Coordinates With Additional Emergency Agencies

18 Inundation Maps Used to Know Who and When to Evacuate Can be Detailed or Generalized

19 Detailed Inundation Map

20 Generalized Inundation Map

21 Approval Dam Owner and Local EMC are Required to Sign the Approval and Implementation Page TCEQ Does Not Expect Approval From EMC Looking For Acknowledgement of Receiving the EAP and Awareness of Participation During an Emergency TCEQ is Advising City EMC to Sign if Dam is Located in City Limits and County EMC to Sign if Dam is Located Outside City Limits

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23 Testing Tabletops Required for Dam Owners Every 5 Years Informal Meeting of Contacts on Notification Flowchart No Downstream Residents EMC Participation Invaluable

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25 Discussion?

26 Contact Information Megan Dutton, P.E. (512) Kyle Hodges, P.E. (817) Park 35 Circle, Building A, Austin, Texas P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas Mail Code- 177