TFMA 2013 Annual Conference
Sugar Land, Texas
May 21 - 24, 2013
Conference Agenda
TFMA - 25 YEARS AND MOVING FORWARD
TUESDAY – MAY 21, 2013
7:30 am - 5:00 pm
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
11:00am - 5:00 pm
TFMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Open to TFMA Members
WORKSHOPS
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
WORKSHOP 1: FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT 101
Notes:Morning and Afternoon Sessions
1 hour lunch break - on your own
Instructor:Michael Segner, CFM,Texas Water Development Board
Topic: This workshop will cover the following:
- Texas and Federal laws and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Flood Mitigation Grant Programs
- Local Communities & the NFIP
- Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
- Variances and NFIP Requirements
- Community Assistance Visits & Contacts
- Elevation Certificates
- FEMA Map Amendments
- Substantial Improvements/Damage
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
WORKSHOP 2:BEYOND THE NUMBERS: LESSONS FROM MOTHER NATURE THAT YOU WERE NEVER TAUGHT IN ENGINEERING SCHOOL
Instructor:Steven E. Eubanks, PE, CFM; City of Fort Worth
Topic: This workshop will cover basic principles of engineering due diligence, engineering judgment, and forensic engineering with a specific regard to stormwater infrastructure. Intended to help both young and experienced engineers develop a practical “design mindset,” this workshop will address the practical design considerations essential to the constructability and maintainability of municipal stormwater infrastructure. Other topics to be addressed include prediction of failure modes, understanding of “No Adverse Impact,” basic stream geomorphology, erosion protection considerations, and the role of stormwater design in Low Impact Development.
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
WORKSHOP 3: SKYWARN, STORM SPOTTER TRAINING, TADD & STORMREADY
Instructors:Various speakers
Topic: Learn how to recognize the first signs of severe weather from hail, wind storms, floods and tornadoes. Discussion of actions to take in the event severe weather threatens or strikes your community. Also learn about forming partnerships to promote flood safety and public awareness in Flash Flood Alley. Learn how NOAA All Hazards Radios and the NWS StormReady program can help you and your communities survive a disaster.
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
TFMA TEXAS NATIONALCFM EXAM
NOTE:Must be pre-approved (Submit Exam Application with $100 Fee) and current member.
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
OPENING WELCOMING SOCIAL
Meet and greet for conference participants and visit Exhibitors
WEDNESDAY - MAY 22, 2013
7:30 am - 5:00 pm
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
WORKSHOPS
9:00 am to 11:00 am
WORKSHOP 4: HEC-RAS MODEL REVIEW
Instructor:Ron Morrison, PE, CFM, Morrison Hydrology LLC
Topic: This workshop will discuss procedures to review HEC-RAS computer models including the use of a HEC-RAS checklist. The checklist will allow those less experienced in HEC-RAS modeling to review submittals they receive.
8:00 am to Noon
WORKSHOP 5:FEMA RISK MAP PRODUCTS - A LOCAL COMMUNITY’S EXPERIENCE
Instructors:Jessica Baker, PE, CFM, PMP; Halff Associates (TFMA Vice President)
Sam Amoako-Atta, GISP, CFM; Halff Associates
Jarred Overbey, PE, CFM; Halff Associates
Eric Hajek, GISP, CFM; Halff Associates
Steve Parker, PE, CFM; City of Dallas
Minhtam Vu, CFM; City of Dallas
Topic: FEMA’s Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program began in 2009, and over the past several years numerous Risk MAP Products have been started throughout Texas. So, do you know the new acronyms committed to memory? FRD, FRM, FRR, CSLF, DAGs, and AoMI. After this workshop you will! Risk MAP Products further enhance the typical FEMA deliverables by providing datasets that enable local communities to effectively quantify and communicate flood risk to their constituents.
This workshop will introduce participants to the FEMA Risk MAP Products and Datasets. Learn the basics of how you can leverage these products in your daily tasks as a floodplain manager. During the workshopparticipants will be introduced to the following:
- Risk MAP Products Overview
- FRD – (CSLF, DAGs, AoMI, FRA)
- FRM
- FRR
- Applications of Risk MAP Products and Datasets for a Community
Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop with the ESRI program ArcReader installed, although it is not required. A limited number of laptops will be available for use for those unable to bring one. We intend to provide all attendees with the ArcReader software as well as sample data to be used during the workshop.
7:30 am to Noon
FIELD TRIP: BRAYS BAYOU SIMS BAYOU WATERSHED PROJECTS
This field trip will include a bus guided tour to projects conducted by Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) on Brays Bayou and Sims Bayou watersheds. HCFCD staff will be the tour guides.
Note:seating is limited and be at the bus stop on time.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
CONFERENCE OPENING PLENARY SESSION
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
CONFERENCE WELCOME
Roy Sedwick, CFM;TFMA Executive Director
Diane Calhoun, CFM; Calhoun Consulting, LLC (TFMA President)
John Espinoza, PE, CFM; Brown & Gay Engineers (TFMA Conference Committee Chair)
Guest Speaker:Harish Jajoo, PE, CFM; City of Sugar Land Council Member
1:30 pm – 1:50 pm
HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS
Presenter:Mike Talbott, PE; Harris County Flood Control District
Topic: This presentation will cover an overview of the Harris County Flood Control District with an emphasis on its partnerships with the State and Federal government. Federal Flood damage reduction programs with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be highlighted. The State's role in FEMA programs through the Governor's Division of Emergency Management and the Texas Water Development Board will also be discussed.
1:50 pm – 2:10 pm
2013 FLOOD RISK SYMPOSIUM UPDATE
Presenter:Diane Calhoun, CFM; Calhoun Consulting, LLC (TFMA President)
Topic: On March 19, 2013, ASFPM and TFMA hosted the 2013 Flood Risk Symposium in Austin. The event was attended by key invited Texas stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. This presentation will summarize who attended, what was discussed and how TFMA will move forward to keep all stakeholders engaged.
2:10 pm – 2:30 pm
SILVER JACKETS OF TEXAS
Presenter:Seth Jones, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Galveston District
Topic: What is the Silver Jackets and how can TFMA be a partner?
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
ASFPM GUEST SPEAKER
Presenter:Chad Berginnis, CFM; ASFPM Executive Director
Topic: This presentation will include an update on ASFPM Legislative activities, BW-12, and the upcoming National Conference in Hartford, Connecticut in June 2013.
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
BREAK
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT IN TEXAS
Presenters:John Ivey, PE, CFM;Halff Associates
Jessica Baker, PE, CFM, PMP; Halff Associates (TFMA Vice President)
Topic: Floodplain Management in Texas is a walk through time that identifies events, legislation, programs and players that established the framework for floodplain management in Texas. The impacts of the Texas Floodplain Management Association and its members have played an important role in identifying and reducing flood risks especially in the last 25 years from 1988 to 2013.
This paper discusses the partnerships created and successes that followed. The history of TFMA is visible through the series of events that moved Texas from the national leader in flood claims and flash flood deaths to a "Turn Around Don't Drown" grass roots program that touches every region of Texas and continues to spread across the Nation. Leadership roles involving TFMA and its members have expanded sound floodplain management principles to all levels of Federal, state and national associations and programs.
This paper walks us through where TFMA started in 1988, what have been the accomplishments (1988 to 2013) and where is Texas floodplain management going in the future. The paper focuses on the accomplishments of TFMA, Roy Sedwick as Executive Director and the TFMA leadership and members.
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR FLOOD MITIGATION IN TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES: HOW MUCH COULD WE SAVE
Presenter:Samuel Brody, PhD
George P. Mitchell '40 Chair in Sustainable Coasts
Director, Institute for Sustainable Coastal Communities
Director, Center for Texas Beaches and Shores
Department of Marine Sciences at Galveston
Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning at College Station
Texas A&M University - Galveston
Topic: This presentation will present the latest findings from the Rising Waters research project focusing the causes, consequences, and policy implication of flooding in Texas and other coastal states. Particular attention will be paid to the influence of development patterns on flood losses and the cost-saving potential of mitigation strategies to reduce the growing adverse effects of from flooding events.
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
THE BIGGERT-WATERS FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM ACT OF 2012 (BW-12)
Presenter:Jack Graham, CFM; DHS/FEMA
Topic: The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12), which was signed into law on July 6, 2012, reauthorizes and reforms the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years through
September 30, 2017. This presentation will provide information about these reforms.
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
ANNUALTFMA BANQUET
Location:George Ranch Historical Park
10215 FM 762 Rd, Richmond, TX
We will carpool (no busses) for a short leisure drive to the Historic George Ranch where we will be entertained by a wonderful Country Band, and we will feast on a three meat mouth-watering Bar-B-Q meal with all the trimmings and topped off with hot cobbler and ice cream. Participants can tour the historic buildings, take a hay ride, pitch washers or horseshoes, dance to the music, brand your souvenir Cedar plank with the TFMA brand, rope a steer (not a live one), take advantage of a special picture taking opportunity, or just relax and enjoy the hospitality of the TFMA family.
Note:Since we are car pooling, no alcohol will be served at the Ranch, but a TFMA keg will be waiting back at the hotel for those who want to continue networking with friends “old and new” once we return to the hotel.) To learn more about the George Ranch Historical Park, visit the website -
THURSDAY - MAY 23, 2013
7:30 am – 5:00 pm
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
8:00 am – 11:30am
MORNING TECHNICAL CONCURRENT SESSIONS – TRACKS A, B, C, D, E and F (6 Tracks)
TRACK A – SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY (SARA) UPDATES
8:00 am – 8:50 am
A1lomr delegation made easier utilizing digital data and modeling repository system (D2MR)
Presenters:Joe G. Fernandez, CFM; San Antonio River Authority
John Refolo, CFM; San Antonio River Authority
Topic: The timely management, maintenance, and distribution of consistent and up-to-date modeling information are extremely important in taking the necessary measures in the management of a watershed and its environment. Watersheds are constantly going through significant changes driven by various factors such as urbanization, weather and terrain changes. Urgent needs for coordination are necessary in order to implement the proper measures with right priorities.
This paper describes the use of Enterprise Geographic Information System (EGIS) as the platform for the San Antonio River Authority’s Digital Data and Modeling Repository (D2MR) system. This system provides the interface and tools to manage, maintain, and serve water resources modeling information. This system serves as an integral part of the local and regional decision making and support for watershed management. For the River Authority, this system supports and streamlines the FEMA C/LOMR process. D2MR enables the engineering community to download and upload models and supporting information, allows users to view overlapping studies, and provides the authoritative central archive of regional modeling information.
8:50 am – 9:45 am
A2epdriv1 modeling for water quality master planning of salado creek, upper san antonio river and leon creek watersheds
Presenters:Sheeba Thomas, PE, CFM; San Antonio River Authority
Yu-Chun Su, PhD, PE, CFM, CPESC, CPSWQ; ATKINS
Topic: This presentation will provide a summary of the development and calibration/validation of dynamic water quality (WQ) models using HSPF and EPDRiv1 for the watersheds and main stem channels of the Salado Creek, Upper San Antonio River, and Leon Creek watersheds. The model results were analyzed to identify the water quality damage centers or impaired water bodies at subbasin and cross section levels, as well as to support watershed master planning and evaluation of the effects of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Low Impact Developments (LID).
The presentation will include a detailed discussion of the HSPF model development and calibration/validation processes, including data collection and processing, model development and parameter setup, and model calibration/validation using available WQ data from the Surface Water Quality Monitoring (SWQM) database. The presentation will also provide a summary of the analysis of HSPF model results using screening levels derived from the Texas Clean Rivers Program. The screening was then used to identify WQ damage centers and to help support watershed master planning of the three watersheds.
The presentation will also include a detailed discussion of the EPDRiv1 model development and calibration/validation processes, including data collection and processing, model development and parameter setup, importation of DFIRM HEC-RAS model cross sections for EPDRiv1 setup, linkage of HSPF model output as input into EPDRiv1, and model calibration/validation using available WQ data from the SWQM database. The presentation will also provide examples of the analysis of EPDRiv1 model results using screening levels derived from the Texas Clean Rivers Program. The screening was then used to identify WQ damage centers and to help support watershed master planning of the three main-stem channels.
Both the HSPF and EPDRiv1 were developed for continuous simulation through dry- and wet-weather periods so as to allow an assessment of both dry-weather and stormwater WQ conditions. The identification of WQ damage centers was based on WQ screening levels adopted by the Texas Clean Rivers Program (CRP) for the San Antonio River Basin. The constituents simulated include temperature, carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), total suspended solids (TSS), nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), chlorophyll a, bacteria (E. coli), and representative metals (lead and zinc).
9:45 am – 10:20 am
BREAK
10:20 am – 11:30 am
A3fema risk map & the san antonio river authority
Presenters:Daniel Aguilar, PE, CFM; San Antonio River Authority
Ramesh Chintala, PE, CFM, D.WRE; Lockwood Andrews and Newnam, Inc.
Topic: FEMA’s Risk MAP vision is to deliver quality data that increases public awareness of flood risk leading to actions that reduce the risk to life and property through collaborative efforts. Flood risk reduction happens at the local level. Predictably, the success of RiskMAP depends to a large extent on its receptivity by local communities.
FEMA Region VI and SARA have benefitted from an indigenous and cooperative approach to implementing RiskMAP Discovery in the Upper San Antonio Watershed. SARA leadership promotes local participation which can spur communities into taking action. The key to a successful CTP relationship begins during the business planning phase, when mutual goals are identified and long-term commitments made.
SARA’s jurisdiction covers the counties of Bexar, Wilson, Karnes and Goliad, Texas. SARA was motivated to collaborate with FEMA in RiskMAP in order to: (a) maximize ongoing local master planning investments to achieve the common goal of reducing flood risks in the San Antonio region; and (b) preserve investments made in modernizing flood maps for their four-county jurisdiction during the MapMod Program.
SARA’s Discovery experience will be highlighted to showcase a successful collaborative strategy with FEMA Region VI. Key elements of SARA’s business plan and on-going Discovery efforts will be described.
This presentation should be of interest to CTPs and local communities who want to understand how Discovery is being implemented in the San Antonio region. Successful RiskMAP implementation can be achieved through close collaboration with FEMA Region VI.
TRACK B – FEMA & OTHERS
8:00 am – 9:00 am
B1non-regulatory products supporting community action
Presenters:Larry Voice, CFM; FEMA Region VI
Stephen Altman, PE, CFM; RAMPP
Topic: FEMA’s Risk MAP program has changed their focus from creating flood insurance mapping projects to a focus that promotes interaction of FEMA and local communities. This interaction helps identify natural hazard risks and encourages the communities to take action to mitigate these risks. The approach of the Risk MAP project and process path can be used by communities to review their vulnerabilities to natural hazards and begin to identify appropriate action to reduce this risk in the future.
To support this process, FEMA has developed standards for non-regulatory products that are created as part of a Risk MAP project. Floodplain managers will be able to use these products to make informed decisions regarding mitigation action and planning.
This presentation will describe these non-regulatory products, and how they can be utilized to support mitigation action in each community.
9:00 am – 9:45 am
B2communicating flood risk and engaging community action usingfloodsmart’s tools and resources
Presenter:Rich Gilroy; FloodSmart
Topic: Texas is particularly vulnerable to harsh weather and severe flooding during hurricane season, even hundreds of miles inland. In addition to hurricane season, sections of the state, such as Central Texas or “Flash Flood Alley,” remain vulnerable to flooding because storms frequently stall and drop torrential rains in these areas. However, a well-prepared and highly-informed public can weather the storm. FloodSmart combines a national outreach campaign for the National Flood Insurance Program with shareable tools for use by stakeholders to educate the public on how to prepare for flooding—including the purchase of flood insurance— no matter what the cause.
FloodSmart has learned valuable lessons on the best ways to engage the public through the development of online tools and resources. FloodSmart will share lessons learned and demonstrate these online resources so you can see how to share them with the appropriate audiences in conjunction with other outreach efforts. In addition, FloodSmart will address topics such as the best time to talk about hurricane preparation, how to speak to various generations through different channels, and how to sustain their involvement.