U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District, Vol. 6, Issue 3, Fall 2015-Winter 2016
Emsworth rehab completed early see page 5
Headwaters Update is a quarterly publication of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District. It is produced for electronic distribution by the Public Affairs Office. Views and opinions expressed in the Headwaters Update are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Submissions may be sent to CELRP-PA@usace.army. mil for consideration in upcoming editions. Stories submitted should be in a Word document format. All photographs should include a caption and be high resolution (at least 4x6 inches and 300 dpi). US Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District Col. Bernard R. Lindstrom District Commander Public Affairs Chief Carol Davis Editor John Kelly Layout & Design Dan Jones Public Affairs Office 412-395-7500 www.lrp.usace.army.mil
On the Cover Workers prepare to lay concrete at Emsworth Lock and Dam on the Ohio River. (Photo by Jeff Hawk, PAO)
2
John Kelly, PAO U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Commander Col. Bernard Lindstrom and District Deputy Maj. Cornelius Batts field questions during the town hall event Nov. 16.
District leaders renew focus on communication during town hall By John Kelly, PAO The Pittsburgh District started the new fiscal year with a renewed focus on a critical component of the Corps philosophy – communication - by holding a town hall meeting, Nov. 16 at the district headquarters. The gathering was an opportunity for employees to bring comments, concerns or questions directly to senior leadership. District Commander Col. Bernard Lindstrom said he saw the town hall meeting as a chance to be available to address the employees’ concerns and to allow the issues to be acted upon decisively. Additionally, he said the meeting provided an avenue for members of the district, at all levels, to reflect on ways that the mission can be accomplished with even greater efficiency and success. The town hall comes on the heels of what Lindstrom described as a
In this Issue
“banner year inside the Pittsburgh District”. A time which saw project fulfillments, and success up and down the three rivers district to the tune of $16 billion, of which 41 percent went to small business. Some of the issues addressed during the meeting were veterans’ issues, continuous safety protocol improvement, volunteerism, mentorship and community engagement. Maj. Cornelius Batts, deputy commander, said although this was his first town hall with the district, he was glad to see most employees focus on process improvement instead of flashpoints in the discussion. He also said he was inspired to see the Pittsburgh team as not only experts of their individual crafts, but with a desire be champions of outreach within the community. The town hall was attended by more than 100 employees and the entire senior leadership team.
Page 4 - Loyalhanna sets new record for winter eagle sightings Page 6 - Youghiogheny staff partners with Duquesne University Page 10 - Tionesta remembers the past Page 11 - Pittsburgh hosts 2015 Veterans Small Business event
Rangers remove beaver dams at Shenango By Rich Egger, Shenango River Lake Photo by Christine Barker, Shenango River Lake Shenango Lake maintenance workers cleared a beaver dam from a road culvert at Golden Run Wildlife Area to prevent flooding, Feb. 3. Using a backhoe with a tree trunk as a ram rod, the maintenance crew cleared the culvert of debris. Park Rangers, Kyle Kraynak and Jason Cote, built a water flow control device at the culvert’s entrance. The 10-foot long device, made of heavy gauge concrete reinforcing wire rolled into a cylinder, was inserted about two feet into the culvert, with the protruding end slightly elevated. The elevated end allows for water to continue to flow through the structure and the culvert pipe. The constructed device is long enough that the beavers will have difficulty blocking the entire structure, especially further away from the culvert entrance. Eventually the device will need to be cleaned, but for now is working as designed. Scientific research indicates that beavers are attracted to the sight, sound or feel of running water which
Sean McCann, Park Rangers, Kyle Kraynak and Jason Cote, set in a water flow control device to prevent damming, Feb. 3.
compels them to build a dam. Beavers, and beaver dams, are found in streams across the country, creating ponds for birds, fish and other wildlife.
Carnegie Science Center hosts Engineers Week By Carol Davis, PAO and Samantha Peitz, Engineering As part of National Engineers Week, members from the Pittsburgh District participated in the Carnegie Science Center’s two-day event called, Engineer the Future, Feb. 19-20. The event was intended to celebrate the science of engineering and the region’s achievement in all aspects of the field. Students visiting the district’s booth saw a demonstration of the working replica of the Opekiska Lock and Dam model. Additionally, students participated in variety of scientific experiments to include building a clay boat and a penny experiment. After building a clay boat and testing its ability to float, students place coins in the boat to observe how many it took to sink the boat. The experiment was designed to teach students the concept of buoyancy. During the penny experiment, students used a water dropper to determine how many water drops they could fit on a single penny. The experiment was used to teach the concept of surface tension. District volunteers also promoted water safety and explained the district’s role in the region. More than 1000 students attended the event. Huan Tran from the district’s Geospatial Section works with kids during the 2016 Engineers Week activities at the Carnegie Science Center.
Loyalhanna Lake sets new record for winter Eagle sightings By April Richards, Loyalhanna Lake Loyalhanna Lake has seen a 1000 percent spike in its resident winter eagle population over the last decade. Sightings at the facility have gone from zero to more than 10. The open water and the availability of food provide a desirable wintering location for the birds. Anywhere from 10 to 14 different eagles have been spotted living around the lake. Presently, there has not been a permanent winter nestA bald eagle flies above Loyalhanna Lake, Jan, 16. ing pair at the lake. However, several miles away at Conemaugh Lake there are permanently nest bald eagles, Q: Do you know how to tell the difference a fact which gives lake officials hope. between young eagles versus an adult eagle? The expectation of permanent nesting is based on the increased resident winter eagle population. The populaA: Adults have all white heads, while young tion growth indicates the likelihood that a pair would take eagles can have all black or white and black the next step and start a family at Loyalhanna. mottled heads. Loyalhanna staff is monitoring for any changes in the resident eagle population.
Northern Area conducts crane training at Mosquito By Julie Stone, LRP Ed Durch, Michael J. Kirwan Dam maintenance mechanic, performs operations of an overhead crane system during the annual crane operator training held at Mosquito Creek Lake on Feb. 22. Maintenance and natural resource management personnel from Mosquito Creek Lake, Michael J. Kirwan Dam, Berlin Lake, Woodcock Creek Lake and Shenango River Lake also attended the training.
For fun children’s activities that teach water safety, visit: bobber.info 4
Emsworth Rehab completed early, under budget
By John Kelly, PAO
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District completed key infrastructure improvements to Emsworth Locks and Dams sooner than projected and under budget. The project titled The Emsworth Locks and Dams Major Rehabilitation Project, initiated design and construction in 2005, with physical construction being completed in 2015. The project finished with a budget savings of $7 million, and two years ahead of the scheduled completion date. The district accomplished this feat through budget management and administrative dexterity. The team utilized five supply contracts and eight construction contracts, which allowed simultaneous pieces of the project to run concurrently, according to Michael Rattay, project manager. The stated goal of the project is to reduce the risk of failure of the deteriorated dam gates and associated operating machinery and provide scour protection downstream of the dams. The potential impact of failure on the larger Pittsburgh river commerce system would come at a significant price if it were to happen due to Emsworth’ s failure. According to Rattay, “failure of the dam gates in an open position could cause loss of the Pittsburgh navigation pool.” Loss of the navigational pool would have devastating effects on the surrounding communities and commerce for the region. Impacts include potential delivery interruption of 24 million tons of commodities, several power and steel plant facilities production stoppages, and jeopardizing more than 20,000 jobs. A failure could cost the local economy an estimated $750 million per year in wages lost. Due to the nature of potential consequences, time was a critical factor in terms of risk mitigation and cost totals for the project. “There were several inland navigation projects competing for scarce Inland Navigation Trust Funds,” said Rattay. “We were forced to look at ways to deliver this project using multiple fully funded contracts.”
A view of the Emsworth Dam gate bays.
The Emsworth Locks and Dams Major Rehabilitation Project team had to be creative in addressing the balancing act of funding versus completion timelines. The estimated cost of the project was largely due to the fact that the Emsworth structure is the oldest of any project on the Ohio River, dating back to 1919. Also its size played a significant role as its locks consist of a 110-foot wide by 600-foot-long main chamber and 56-foot wide by 360-foot long auxiliary chamber. Deliberate planning and sound execution of multiple ongoing,
fully-funded, contract strategies drove the savings in both time and money. “Eliminating long lead time items from the construction contracts and our ability to accommodate multiple construction contractors working at the same time to utilize American Recovery & Restoration Act funds allowed completion of the project at least two years sooner” according to Rattay. The schedule was also exacerbated by physical restrictions of construction pertaining to natural restrictions in the vicinity of the construction site. “We were limited to the number of lift gates that could be out of service at the same time without increasing pool elevations upstream,” said Rattay. Despite the difficult circumstances and the hazardous consequences of mission failure, the project team overcame all obstacles to finish their work several years ahead of schedule, and under budget. In the end, Emsworth Locks and Dams Major Rehabilitation Project team managed to rehab a structure which should now last 50 years or more with proper maintenance. As a result of their work, traffic on the three rivers will continue unimpeded through the Emsworth Locks and Dams for many years to come.
5
Tionesta spreads holiday cheer
Youghiogheny Lake staff partners with local university for fish survey By Alicia McLaughlin, Youghiogheny Lake
surveys by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission documented eight different fish species in Hall Run, but the new survey documented 13 differRecently, rangers at Youghiogheny ent species. River Lake worked in collaboration Yellow bullhead catfish, Ameiurus with Duquesne University to conduct a fish survey of Hall Run, a tributary that natalis, was the most abundant species collected. They comprised of more feeds the lake at Jockey Hollow. The study was conducted by Yough- than 25 percent caught. Fish are bioindicators and fish suriogheny Rangers Vince Klinkner, Alicia McLaughlin, and Anthony Honick, veys are an excellent way to monitor water quality and provide baseline data in partnership with Dr. Brady Porter, vital to tracking changes that may ocDuquesne University’s Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences cur in the lake’s watershed. The collaborative effort led to Department associate professor. Three university students who were assisting several accomplishments including used backpack electrofishing to survey providing the district with important data that documents the lake’s water 100 meters of the stream with all fish quality, the effects also contributed identified to species, enumerated, and to the PFBC’s comprehensive fish released. More than 350 fish were database. Rangers and students gained collected with the meters. Previous experience in fish survey techniques utilized in natural resource management. And lastly, Hall Run was documented as a successful spawning area for the lakes yellow bullhead catfish population. The lake staff would like to extend the monitoring program to more tributaries around the lake to provide a more complete water quality database while helping students and A yellow bullhead catfish, the most abundant fish identirangers gain practical refied during the study. source management skills.
6
By Rodney Daum, Tionesta Lake Every December the town of Tionesta has a Light up Night to honor our country’s veterans and to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Tionesta Lake. Rodney Daum, Tionesta Lake supervisory natural resources management specialist, donated a decorated tree in support of the celebration of the holiday season. The red, white and blue decorated tree, the national flag, and a few water safety items were on display at Tionesta’s Market Square Village until New Year’s Day.
For more information about all of our missions and projects visit:
lrp.usace.army.mil
District celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
By Olean Lockhart, Engineering
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Pittsburgh District hosted the founder of a local cafe, Oct. 24. Tara Sherry-Torres spoke to an audience of district personnel about the importance of cultural diversity within all aspects of society, by being inclusive and intentional. Her message illustrated how culture has the power to be transformative, impact the economy and change social mobility systems benefiting everyone. Hispanic Heritage Month is the celebration of the culture, contributions and history of Americans whose ancestors derived from the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico and Spain.
President Lyndon Johnson first observed Hispanic Heritage week in 1968. President Reagan extended the week to a month long observance in 1988. However, the month actually covers a 30-day period spanning from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The significance of the 15th is based on the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Chile and Mexico celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively, while Oct. 12 is Columbus Day, or Dia de la Raza. Sherry-Torres was listed as a 2014 Pittsburgh Magazine 40 Under 40 recipient and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s 2015 People to Meet. For more than 10 years she has been working in communi-
ty-based organizations with an emphasis on community organizing, development and advocacy. The name, Café Con Leche (coffee with milk in Spanish), refers to the Puerto Rican tradition of serving coffee to household guests. A gesture of friendship, hospitality and community. Ms. Torres founded Café Con Leche out of her vision to create neighborhood focused spaces in Pittsburgh where Latinos could connect with each other while sharing their culture with non-Latinos. Café Con Leche centralizes cultural development through events, digital media and consulting. Café Con Leche is a 2015 winner of Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group’s Community Development award.
New workboats undergo rigorous testing at PEWARS By Michelle Anderson, Contracting The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District conducted operational testing of work boats for Pike Island and New Cumberland at the Pittsburgh Engineer-
ing Workshop and Repair Station, Dec. 15. The boats will be used for inland navigation system support on the Ohio River. Members from the Project Delivery Team were in attendance to witness the work boats in action.
One of the new workboats being lowered into the water for testing after being received by the Pittsburgh District, Dec. 15.
Think before you sink... visit bobber.info
7
A view of the dam from the Mahaney Overlook
Story and photos by Rich Egger, Shenango Lake The Shenango Lake staff hosted an open house as part of the lake’s 50th anniversary celebration, Sept. 26. More than 470 visitors learned about the Pittsburgh District’s missions and had the opportunity to walk across the structure. Many of the visitors had never been on the dam before and relished the opportunity to enjoy the view from the service bridge. The open house, which included access to the service bridge of the dam, historical documentation of the dam’s original construction, water safety handouts and a virtual tour of the interior of the dam. Other events included a 5K race in partnership with the Mercer County Trails Association and Runner’s High, July
29. Approximately 300 runners crossed the dam during the event and participants received an anniversary race t-shirt to commemorate the run. Preparations began in June for the anniversary and encompassed many facets of community involvement. Over 50 boy scouts helped the staff prepare for the open house by cutting brush and trees adjacent to the dam. The clearing enhanced aesthetics and also helped meet engineering requirements for embankment inspections. The lead scout who helped organize the cleanup earned his Eagle Scout status as a result of his group’s assistance. The Shenango team worked hard to finish the embankment clearing after the scout’s project was completed. The work completed saved more than $13,000 in funding that can now be used to focus on enhancing other needs of the site. (Above)Visitors had the opportunity to review old copies of the Sharon Herald newspaper. (Left) There were many activities for children to enjoy during the event.
8
Going hunting and fishing at Stonewall By Scott Hannah, Stonewall Jackson Stonewall Jackson Lake partnered with Huntington District’s Burnsville Lake for the 17th year to represent the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the West Virginia National Hunting and Fishing Days celebration at Stonewall Resort State Park, Sept. 26 and 27. More than 925 children, ages six to 18, accepted this year’s Youth Challenge and completed several tasks to be eligible for a prize giveaway at the end of the day. Listed on the challenge checklist were line casting, fish identification, fish cleaning, trapping, archery, and gun safety. Another requirement of the Youth Challenge was to attend a water safety program with the Corps of Engineers. Resource Manager Jeff Toler, Rangers Scott Hannah and Trisha Higgins from Stonewall Jackson;
Student visitors pose in front of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, booth during West Virginia National Hunting and Fishing Days celebration.
Burnsville Ranger Ben Coulter, and Corps volunteers, Sinney Nethken and Peggy Dawson, provided water safety programs and staffed the information booth. Bobber, the Water Safety Dog, made an appearance on both days of the event. Approximately 5,000 partici-
pants attended various programs and checked out the latest gadgets for today’s hunter and angler. This year marks the 25th year that the Stonewall team has participated in this event, and the staff plans to continue providing the water safety message for years to come.
Shenago rangers teach environmental stewardship
By Kyle Kraynak, Shenango Lake Shenango Lake Park Ranger, Kyle Kraynak, discussed forestry initiatives and environmental stewardship with Boy Scout Troop 65 from West Middlesex, Pa., Nov. 23. The program consisted of an overview on forestry
stewardship, sustainable forestry, the American Chestnut Re-Introduction efforts, and the USACE Environmental Stewardship and Natural Resource Management programs which occur at Shenango Lake. While in the forest setting, the scouts asked Kraynak about future Eagle Scout project opportunities at Shenango Lake.
9
Tionesta remembers the past By Joella Zaffino, Tionesta Lake
Tionesta Lake project staff hosted the 75th Anniversary Open house celebration, Jan. 9, at the Tionesta Lake Information Center. During the open house visitors had the opportunity to participate in activities ranging from virtual control tower tours to staff-led presentations. Additionally, William Alex, a former Tionesta Lake resource manager, opened and inventoried a 1991 time capsule. Among the items inventoried were Tionesta Lake recreation brochures, maps, staff photos, notes from the guests at the 50th Anniversary Open House, local newspapers and Col. Bernard Lindstrom, U.S Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District commander, area memorabilia from 1991. Col. Bernard poses with Tionesta Lake staff during the 75th anniversary event, Jan. 6. Lindstrom, U.S Army Corps of Engineers presented a citation in recognition of the historic milePittsburgh District commander, presented Rodney Daum, Tionesta Lake resource manager, with two stone. Congressman Glenn Thompson’s representative, Patty Alberth, was also in attendance. Alberth presented a commander’s coins, one to be added to the 2016 timecapsule inventory, and a second in recognition of the Tio- copy of Thompson’s Jan. 6, congressional address which highlighted Tionesta’s 75th anniversary. nesta Lake staff for the success of the anniversary event. Tionesta Lake project staff will host a second open Pennsylvania Senator Scott Hutchinson and State house event in June. Representative Kathy Rapp were in attendance. Each
External Peer Review conducted at East Branch Dam By Kim Warner, East Branch Dam An orientation was held for the new Type II Independent External Peer Review contract for the East Branch Dam Safety Modification Construction, Oct. 29. The IEPR panel members visited East Branch Dam for a tour of the construction activities and a presentation of project specifics. Discussions centered on the IEPR process and expectations from the Risk Management Center perspective. The outputs for the meeting included: summaries of the government furnished information and process flow of documents and information throughout; contract
10
schedules and timing for subsequent site visits; and charge guidance for the panel. The orientation produced many lessons learned, including promoting positive working relationships and defining expectations. The IEPR was designed to provide additional insight to the construction and dam safety modification process. Attendees included: Brian Greene, Trent Dreese, Donald Bruce IEPR panel members visit East Branch Dam, Oct. 29. and Jesus Gomez with Gannett Fleming and GEI sonnel; Mike Rattay, Steve ees; Carol Tasillo, Dam Consultants Joint Venture; Safety Modification MandaFrost, Kristen Enzweiler, Chris Hogan, John Clarkson, Chris Dening and Resident tory Center of Expertise; and Matt Sheskier with Risk Greg Hensley, Dam Safety Engineer Kim Warner with Management Center; perPittsburgh District employProduction Center.
Pittsburgh hosts National Veterans Small Business event By John Kelly, PAO Photos by Carol E. Davis, PAO
Pittsburgh hosted the 2015 National Veterans Small Business Engagement (NVSBE) Nov. 17-19, with the goal of connecting veteran-owned small business with the knowledge needed to compete for federal contract dollars, and a chance to connect with Pittsburgh’s award winning district small business representative. The event was attended by thousands of small business owners seeking to break into the system of federal contract dollars. According to their website, “NVSBE directly connects VOSBs with PDMs from the Department of Veterans Affairs, other federal agencies, state government, as well as large firms with small business needs and provides training opportunities to improve the capabilities of small businesses to successfully compete for procurement contracts.” The event revolved around person-to-person connection and transmission of knowledge illustrating how to compete in the federal contracting marketplace as a small business. It was an opportunity for working groups to engage govern-
ment agencies including a senior leaders working group hosted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick. The kind of engagement provided by events like NVSBE are necessary for purveyors of VOSBs and the DOD to ensure that the 23 percent of total contract dollars going to small business mission set forth by the Small Business Administration is met or exceeded. The northeast, and specifically Buffalo district, are achieving and surpassing this goal to award winning levels. Buffalo’s most recent award: fiscal year 2015 “Top District” in the U.S. Corps of Engineers for Small Business contracts by the Society of American Military Engineers, was a distinction earned by small business usage against the districts total budget dollars. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Deputy for Small Business Sherri Plonski, who represents both Pittsburgh and Buffalo districts, said 93.3 percent of all awardable dollars were given to small businesses, while the districts stated goal was 43 percent.
Audience members to include the USACE Commander listen to a presentation given during NVSBE.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General Thomas P. Bostick addresses a group during breakout sessions of NVSBE.
The award was a chance for Plonski, who works as a liaison between USACE and small businesses who want to secure contract work with the USACE, to enjoy some of the fruits of her labor. Her role is to ensure that businesses who want to pursue federal contracts know their organizational and technical capabilities and understand the contract award process. Plonski says she sees her role as “bringing the horses to the water, show them the rules of the trough and wait for them to decide to drink.” By doing this she develops the pool of small business talent through education and procedural guidance surrounding the federal process; but it is up to the business to take the leap, start to compete and ultimately earn federal dollars. Plonski said she is pleased because there are not many thirsty horses left in her area of responsibility, a trend which she hopes to continue for many years to come.
11
Out with the old, in with the new:
Hulton Bridge Demolition
12