to multi-benefit and beyond: planning and implementing for ... · to multi-benefit and beyond:...

To Multi-Benefit and Beyond: Planning and Implementing for Sustainable Outcomes

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015

Purpose of today’s presentation

Discussion on Multi-Benefit Projects:• Considerations for multi-benefit

planning and implementation for a flood-focused audience

• Challenges of implementing multi-benefit projects

• What successful multi-benefit projects looks like

• Integration as a foundation for successful planning and implementation

2

Today’s panelists

• Terri Grant, LA County Flood Control District

• Liang Lee, Santa Clara Valley Water District

• Craig Conner, USACE

• Robyn Suddeth, CH2M

3

Overview: What is Multi-Benefit?

“Multi-Benefit” or “Multi-Purpose” • Different definitions to various

groups• Need to understand what multi-

benefit means to a flood-focused audience in the context of Integrated Water Management

4

Implementing Multi-Benefit Projects

Must establish approaches that will: • Resonate with the values of

local communities • Aid those who are attempting

to implement it• Prioritize multi benefit,

integrated policies, programs and projects

• Promote alignment on where and how to invest

5

Multi-Benefits Now Tied to Societal Values

Societal values now include:• Public health and safety• Economic stability• Ecosystem vitality • Enriching experiences

6

Craig ConnerFlood Risk ManagementProgram Manager San Francisco District

10 September 2015

US Army Corps of EngineersBUILDING STRONG®

San Francisco District

2015 Floodplain Management Association Conference What does Multi-Benefit mean for aflood-focused audience?

BUILDING STRONG® 8

US Army Corps of EngineersSan Francisco District

Why should I Care about Multi-Benefit?

BUILDING STRONG® 9


Multi-Benefit Multi-Benefit: Achieving one or more

benefits in addition to flood control (flood risk reduction)

BUILDING STRONG® 10


More Multi-Benefit Examples



What does Multi-Benefit mean to a Flood Control Agency?

Developing new partnerships to achieve win-win outcomes for multiple objectives Potential for leveraging funds across

multiple groups An increased base of community support

for flood/multi-benefit projects Communication of flood risk to multiple

community groups



Multi-Benefit & Resource Agencies

Multi-benefit does not mean a ‘free ride’ on permitting issues Resource agencies are confined to law

and agency mission, but multiple benefits that help agency achieve their mission is helpful Corps specific: dichotomy between Civil

Works and Regulatory



Multi-Benefit Funding Opportunities Opportunities exist on a local, State, and

Federal level from multiple agencies Corps Specific:

►Multiple benefits is considered in the budgeting process, but projects are still categorized under a primary business line

►Watershed Informed Budgeting pilot projects have looked into giving more weight to multi-benefit projects



Example: South SF Bay Shoreline Project



THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

Craig [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Challenges of a Multi-Benefit& Integrated Master Plan

Flood Management Association Annual Conference

Sept. 10, 2015Rancho Mirage, CA

Santa Clara County

17

Integrated Goals

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HEALTHFUL AND PLENTIFUL

WATEREnhance the

quantity and quality of water to support

beneficial uses

VALUE RAINManage rain water

to improve flood protection, water supply, and local

ecosystems

ECOLOGICALLY EFFECTIVE

WATERSHEDSEstablish and

sustain healthy and resilient stream

ecosystems

COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONWork in partnership

with an engaged community to

champion wise decisions on water

resources

RESILIANT BAYLANDS

Protect, enhance and sustain healthy

and resilient baylands

ecosystems and infrastructure

Master Planning Process

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Integrated Goals Strategies

Integrated Projects & Programs

Implementation Plan

• Funding• Schedule• Priorities

Master Plan Vision

District Mission

Stakeholder Collaboration Throughout Process

Master Plan

SMART Objectives

Board Direction

Board Approval

Framework of Multi-Benefit Master Plan

Consider community needs for water supply, flood protection, and environmental stewardshipAdapt to evolving regulatory requirements –watershed-scale approach, LEDPA, compensatory mitigation & endowmentAdapt to evolving climateDevelop implementation and funding plans

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Hurdle #1 – Reprogrammed Flood Protection Process

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Hurdle #2 – Silos

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Hurdle #3 – Insufficient Data on Ecosystem Services

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Hurdle #4 – Funding Constraints

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Funding Constraints:•Meet community priorities•Long-term adaptive solution vsshort-term damage reduction solution

Q & A

Thank you

25

Floodplain Management Association Annual Conference

To Multi Benefit and Beyond: Planning and Implementing for Sustainable Outcomes

Terri GrantSeptember 10, 2015

www.dpw.lacounty.gov Twitter: @LAPublicWorks 27

Flood Control District

Formed in 1915 with Dual Mission:

Reduce Flood Risk by Providing Flood Control Protection

Conserve Water for local supply


Flood Control District

• 14 major dams

• 27 spreading ground facilities

• 39 miles of soft-bottom channels

• 13 rubber dams on flood control channels

• 500 miles of open channels

• 162 debris basins

• 3000 miles of storm drains


Challenges: Highly Developed

Aging Infrastructure

FEMA designations and capacity deficiencies

Climate Change

Population Growth

Competing Priorities


Need for Collaboration – Stakeholders and Partners

Local and Federal

Agencies

Community Groups

Water Supply

Agencies

Cities

Regulatory Agencies

Environmental Organizations

Local Businesses


Case Study: Sun Valley Watershed

Mini Van


Sun Valley Watershed


Multi-benefit Project: Sun Valley Watershed Project Flood Protection

Water Quality

Water Conservation

Recreation

Habitat

http://www.lacity.org/

http://www.lacity.org/

http://www.treepeople.org/

http://www.treepeople.org/

https://www.ladwp.com/

https://www.ladwp.com/

http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/

http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/

http://www.watershedhealth.org/

http://www.watershedhealth.org/

http://www.svanc.com/

http://www.svanc.com/

http://dpw.lacounty.gov/lacfcd/

http://dpw.lacounty.gov/lacfcd/


Multi-benefit Project: Sun Valley Park

30 AFY


Multi-benefit Project: Elmer Avenue Neighborhood Retrofit


Multi-benefit Project: Rory M. Shaw Wetlands

590 AFY


Deficient existing drainage system

Flooding within Wilshire Country Club and surrounding neighborhood

Wilshire Country Club

Ros

smor

e Av

e –

Jan

25, 2

008

Floo

ding

at W

CC

, 201

1


Integrated, Collaborative Partnerships

Public Education and Involvement

Planning for Sustainable Outcomes

Evolution of Multi-Benefit Projects and Integrated Water Management

Considering outcomes and scale

Robyn Suddeth, CH2M

Societal Values Have Changed Over Time

Societal values now include:• Public health and safety• Economic stability• Ecosystem vitality • Enriching experiences

41

Our Understanding of How to Effectively Manage CA’s Water Resources Has Evolved on Parallel Tracks

42

Interconnections and Dependencies Noticed at the Watershed and River Basin Scales

Single-Purpose Management is not Yielding Sustainable Outcomes (and can lead to unintended consequences)

Necessity for Regional/Watershed Coordination and Planning

Need to manage for an ongoing, resilient, and dynamic balance between allsocietal values

Regional Water Management Plans

Emphasis on Multi-Benefit Projects

SCA

LEG

OA

LS

The Problem: Focus on Project Attributes Emphasizes Actions Instead of Outcomes

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Example of Narrow Focus “Multi-Benefit”

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Unrealized Potential for

Effective Ecosystem Reconciliation

“Multi-Purpose” Levee Improvements - Incentivized to add disconnected patches of vegetation, walkways, or other “multiple benefits”

• Do not interact with other features in the basin to produce the broader outcomes that Californians care about.

• Potentially wastes resources that could be applied more effectively

But if “Multiple Benefits” are considered at a Larger Scale…

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Sometimes specialization makes sense at a local scale for the sake of the bigger picture.

• Lives and Property just as protected as in previous example

• Improved ecosystem functioning

The Important Questions

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• How will water management be more effectively managed to identify, monitor, and deliver desired long-term outcomes?

• How can California ensure that outcomes are delivered in a cost effective way?

• How can California ensure that its investments are resilient over the long-term, so that they can withstand and recover from stressful events?

Managing More Effectively: Shifting the Focus to Outcomes

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Effectiveness is determined by the degree to which actions taken help bring about outcomes that are consistent with intent.

Why a River Basin Scale is Important

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Outcomes are produced or influenced through:

Portfolios of actions that work together to holistically achieve a balance across all high level intended outcomes for a given basin

A Multi-Benefit Project is Most Effective When…

• It contributes to multiple societal goals in a meaningful way at the watershed or river basin scale

• It considers and balances tradeoffs

• It is more cost effective or resilient than a portfolio of single-purpose projects that yield the same outcomes.

49

Multi-Benefits Success Story –Carmel River Watershed

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• Considers and addresses the entire watershed

• Diverse mix of multi-purpose and single purpose actions make up the broader “project” portfolio

• Contributes to multiple societal goals and watershed-specific objectives

Photos from: http://carmelriverwatershed.org

Consideration of the Entire Watershed

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Single-Purpose Examples• Large Woody Debris

Recruitment

• Removal of Fish Passage Barriers

• Flood Emergency Mgmt Plan

A Diverse Mix of Actions Contributes to Multiple Societal Goals

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Multi-Purpose Examples• San Clemente Dam

Removal

• Water Quality Monitoring

• Water Conservation Programs

SB 5 – A Step in the Right Direction

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The [Central Valley Flood Protection Plan] shall …, wherever feasible, meet multiple objectives, including each* of the following:

(1) Reduce the risk to human life, health, and safety from flooding…(7) Promote natural dynamic hydrologic and geomorphic processes.(8) Reduce damage from flooding....(10) Minimize the flood management system operation and maintenance requirements.(11) Promote the recovery and stability of native species populations and overall biotic community diversity…

*Only showing some examples for demonstration purposes

Questions

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