Levee Safety Center

Prepared by:

LSC Core

Development Group

Levee Safety Center

Program Management Plan

Fiscal Year 2023

Levee Safety Center

Program Management Plan

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Date

Principal Author

Comments

06/02/2017

LSC

Initial Draft

06/16/2017

LSC, M. Carey / N. Vroman

Second Draft

08/30/2017

LSC, M. Carey / N. Vroman

Third Draft

09/27/2017

LSC, M. Carey

Final

10/15/2018

LSC, M. Carey

Update, chance Expert Consultation to Technical

Assistance

03/08/2019

LSC, M. Carey

Update to 2019 with changes from Mr. Noah Vroman,

LSC Director

10/25/2019

LSC, M. Carey

Updates to 2020 LSC Program Management Plan from

LSC Director and Project Manager

2/27/2023

LSC, H. Porter

Updates to 2020 LSC Program Management Plan from

LSC Director and Project Manager

Levee Safety Center 
Program Management Plan 
 
 
 
 
 
iii 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
Section 1 General ................................................................................................................................................ 5 
1  Authority and Criteria ............................................................................................................................. 5 
2  Mission ................................................................................................................................................... 5 
3  Customers and Stakeholders ................................................................................................................ 7 
4  Organizational Structure ........................................................................................................................ 8 
4.1  LSC Director .................................................................................................................................. 9 
4.2  Program Management ................................................................................................................. 10 
4.3  Information Management ............................................................................................................. 10 
4.4  National Levee Safety Program ................................................................................................... 10 
4.5  Levee Portfolio Evaluations ......................................................................................................... 12 
4.6  Technical Assistance Support ..................................................................................................... 12 
4.7  Quality Management .................................................................................................................... 12 
4.8  Public Awareness and Stakeholder Engagement Initiatives ....................................................... 12 
4.9  LSC Core Development Team .................................................................................................... 12 
5  Conditions and Assignments ............................................................................................................... 14 
6  Quality and Standards ......................................................................................................................... 14 
7  Conflict Resolution ............................................................................................................................... 15 
8  Periodic Reporting ............................................................................................................................... 15 
8.1  Agency Review and Coordination Meetings ................................................................................ 15 
8.2  Monthly Reporting ........................................................................................................................ 15 
8.3  Quarterly Reports ........................................................................................................................ 16 
9  Information Management ..................................................................................................................... 16 
Section 2 National Levee Safety Program....................................................................................................... 17 
1  Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 17 
2  Organization and Project Delivery Team ............................................................................................. 17 
3  Execution ............................................................................................................................................. 18 
4  Funding and Financial Management ................................................................................................... 18 
5  Information Management ..................................................................................................................... 18 
6  Upward Reporting ................................................................................................................................ 19 
Section 3 Risk Communications Branch ........................................................................................................ 20 
1  Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 20 
2  Organziation and Project Delivery Team ............................................................................................. 20 

Levee Safety Center

Program Management Plan

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

3.3 Execution .............................................................................................................................................. 21

3.4 Funding and Financial Management .................................................................................................... 22

3.5 Reporting .............................................................................................................................................. 22

3.6 Information Management ..................................................................................................................... 22

3.7 Quality Management ............................................................................................................................ 23

Section 4 Technical Assistance, Levee Portfolio Evaluations, and Levee Safety Guidelines ................... 24

4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 24

4.2 Project Acceptance and Coordination .................................................................................................. 24

4.3 Risk Communication Requests ............................................................................................................ 24

4.4 Funding and Financial Management .................................................................................................... 24

4.5 Reporting .............................................................................................................................................. 25

4.6 Information Management ..................................................................................................................... 25

4.7 Quality Management ............................................................................................................................ 25

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................................... 26

References .......................................................................................................................................................... 28

Levee Safety Center

Program Management Plan

SECTION 1

General

The Levee Safety Center (LSC) program management plan (PgMP) has been developed and updated in

accordance with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Project Management Business Process (PMBP)

outlined in Engineer Regulation (ER) 5-1-11, USACE Business Process. The purpose of the PgMP is to

establish the operational guidelines for the LSC as a Center of Expertise for levee safety activities in support of

agency programs. The LSC will continue to support the USACE Dam Safety Program as a regional dam and

levee safety production center for Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) under the command and control of the

Vicksburg District Commander. The roles and responsibilities of a regional Dam Safety Production Center is

defined in ER 1110-2-1156 and the MVD Dam and Levee Safety Production Center (regional only) Operations

and Implementation Plan (30 November 2012).

The PgMP documents LSC staff, assumptions, work tasks, products, and the level of detail necessary to

achieve LSC requirements. The PgMP provides the LSC’s program and technical managers a platform to

manage costs, control schedules, establish a basis for future change, promote internal communications, and

minimize potential risks.

1.1 AUTHORITY AND CRITERIA

The roles and responsibilities of the LSC as a Center of Expertise for levee safety activities in support of

agency programs are described in ER (LSC Roles and Responsibilities, draft July 2018). As a Center of

Expertise, the LSC complies with the requirements in ER 1110-1-8158, Corps-Wide Centers of Expertise

Program and USACE Business Process outlined in ER 5-1-11. The LSC will adhere to Levee Safety Program

policy and procedures defined in Engineer Circular (EC) 1165-2-218 (Levee Safety Program Policy and

Procedures, draft July 2017) as well as other levee safety related guidance and requirements.

1.2 MISSION

The LSC is responsible for providing various support functions to the USACE Levee Safety Program and

executes its mission under the guidance of Headquarters USACE (HQUSACE) in support of agency programs.

LSC is a virtual and distributed organization which collaborates across USACE Districts and Centers to

leverage expertise as necessary. The mission of the LSC is summarized as follows:

• Support to the National Levee Safety Act of 2007, as amended. The LSC is responsible for leading the

development and implementation of activities under the authorities of the National Levee Safety Act of

2007, as amended. These activities include: (1) the inventory and review of the nation’s levees; (2)

USACE-led efforts to develop voluntary technical levee guidelines and standards for levee safety in

coordination with federal, state, tribal, and local agencies as appropriate, and (3) support for upward

reporting to Congress. The LSC supports these activities under the guidance of HQUSACE and

collaborates with USACE Major Subordinate Commands (MSC), Districts, other Centers of Expertise,

and USACE Communities of Practice (CoP) as appropriate.

• Levee Design and Construction Consultation. The LSC provides Technical Assistance on levee design

and construction activities to support risk-informed decision making as defined in EC 1165-2-218. These

activities include studies, preliminary engineering design (PED), and construction of new levees and

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Program Management Plan

modifications to existing levees. Consultation occurs at the request of HQUSACE, MSC, or District

Levee Safety Officers (LSOs).

• Levee Risk Assessments. The LSC supports the Risk Management Center (RMC) in the establishment

of qualified risk cadres to perform semi-quantitative risk assessments and quantitative risk

assessments for purposes of planning studies, levee design, and construction activities, or National

Flood Insurance Program levee accreditation. LSC support occurs at the request of the RMC.

• Levee Risk Communication Consultation. The LSC provides levee-related risk communication

assistance including communication planning, levee system summaries, and sponsor and stakeholder

engagement. The LSC collaborates with HQ Public Affairs Office (HQPAO) (ER 360-1-1) and the

Collaboration and Public Participation Center of Expertise (CPCX) (ER 10-1-23) to leverage expertise

in support of levee-related risk communication. Consultation occurs at the request of HQUSACE, MSC,

or District LSOs.

• USACE Levee Portfolio Evaluations. At the request of HQUSACE, the LSC supports efforts to evaluate

the USACE levee portfolio to inform portfolio risk management decisions and to communicate overall

levee portfolio benefits, risks, and trends.

• Agency Technical Reviews. The LSC supports the Review Management Organization (RMO) defined

EC 1165-2-214 (or most recent guidance) in for levee safety projects with the establishment of qualified

Agency Technical Review (ATR) teams.

• Public Awareness of Levees and Stakeholder Engagement Initiatives. At the request of HQUSACE,

the LSC supports initiatives to increase public awareness of the benefits and risks associated with

levees through the development of outward facing Levee Safety Program products and activities. The

LSC will also support initiatives to sustain effective Levee Safety Program engagement with key

stakeholder groups through a developed and maintained Levee Safety Program Stakeholder

Engagement Plan. The LSC will collaborate with HQPAO and CPCX to leverage expertise in support

of these initiatives.

• Policy and Guidance Updates. The LSC supports HQUSACE policy development and participates in

strategic planning efforts as requested by HQUSACE. The LSC identifies gaps in existing policy and

suggests improvements to existing policy to HQUSACE.

• Training and Technical Competency. The LSC is responsible for supporting efforts to enhance and

sustain USACE technical competency in areas of levee safety in coordination with the Dam and Levee

Safety Programs. These efforts may include developing best practices and training curricula. The LSC

coordinates with USACE CoPs, Districts, MSCs, Centers of Expertise, and other

agencies/organizations to develop strategic partnerships promote the advancement of the Levee

Safety mission. The LSC is responsible for the development and implementation of activities under the

authorities of the National Levee Safety Act of 2007, as amended. As a result of implementing these

activities, the LSC leads efforts to share best practices in levee safety with key stakeholders including

federal agencies, states, tribes, levee owners and operators, and private sector organizations. The

LSC establishes processes and training curricula described in herein to enhance and sustain technical

competency necessary to implement LSC-led activities under the National Levee Safety Act of 2007.

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Program Management Plan

1.3 CUSTOMERS AND STAKEHOLDERS

The LSC customers and stakeholders are identified as:

• USACE Headquarters (HQUSACE). HQUSACE Deputy Levee Safety Officer is the HQ proponent for

the LSC and provides oversight of the LSC. The HQUSACE Deputy LSO, Levee Safety Special

Assistant, and/or Levee Safety Program Manager may assign additional tasks to the LSC in support of

the Levee Safety Program mission including policy or guidance development, portfolio evaluations,

training, and public awareness and stakeholder engagement initiatives, and reporting to Congress on

the National Levee Safety Initiative.

• USACE Communities of Practice (USACE CoPs) and Programs. Under the guidance of the HQUSACE

Deputy Levee Safety Officer, the LSC coordinates and seeks input with appropriate USACE CoP leads

and HQUSACE programs managers on LSC activities that are national and/or agency wide and

require coordination with agency programs. USACE CoPs may include Engineering, Dam Safety,

Levee Safety, Planning, Flood Risk Management, Silver Jackets, Emergency Management, and others

as necessary. The LSC will conduct this coordination through agency review and coordination

meetings (see section 2).

• Risk Management Center. The RMC provides oversight of the budget and execution of the LSC-led

activities funded by HQUSACE. The LSC provides monthly and quarterly reporting to the RMC on

budget execution and earned value management for the LSC-managed programs.

• USACE Major Subordinate Commands and Districts. The LSC provides both support to the MSCs and

Districts in levee safety activities and seeks to leverage expertise across USACE to support the Levee

Safety mission. At the request of the MSC and/or District LSO, the LSC provides technical assistance

to USACE MSCs and/or Districts in levee design, construction, and risk communication. The LSC will

also coordinate with MSCs and Districts to leverage agency expertise in support of the LSC mission for

technical assistance and agency technical reviews.

• Levee Sponsors (USACE Levee Portfolio). For levee sponsors associated with the USACE levee

portfolio, the local USACE MSC and District coordinate risk assessment, risk management, and risk

communication activities with the local levee sponsors. The LSC supports these activities at the

request of the local USACE MSC and District.

• Levee Owners and Operators (Non USACE Levee Portfolio). As part of the inventory and review of the

Nation’s levees, liaisons supporting outreach and technical teams conducting inspections and risk

assessments of non USACE levee systems will be working alongside states and levee

owners/operators to identify the location of levees throughout the Nation, to assess the levee condition

by conducting field inspections, and to assess the levee-related flood risk through a screening-level

risk assessment using available levee data, historical levee performance data, engineering

evaluations, and consequence estimates. The LSC will support these initiatives by developing

consistent processes and procedures for outreach efforts as well as levee inventory, inspection, and

risk assessment activities. The LSC will also support the development outward facing communication

materials and training initiatives for states and levee owner/operators.

• States and Local Governments. As part of the inventory and review of the Nation’s levees, liaisons

supporting outreach and technical teams conducting inspections and risk assessments of non USACE

levee systems will be working alongside states and levee owners/operators to identify the location of

levees throughout the Nation and to conduct a one-time inspection and risk assessment on the levees

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Program Management Plan

identified. USACE teams will provide information to state agencies related to the condition, benefits,

and flood risks associated within the state and offer information on best practices and tools for levee

safety including levee inspection and risk assessment procedures for interested state agencies. The

LSC will support these initiatives by developing consistent processes and procedures for outreach

efforts with states. The LSC will also support the development outward facing communication

materials, best practices materials, and training initiatives.

• Tribes. As part of the inventory and review of the Nation’s levees, liaisons supporting outreach and

technical teams conducting inspections and risk assessments of non USACE levee systems will be

working alongside tribes to identify the location of levees throughout the Nation and to conduct a one-

time inspection and risk assessment on the levees identified. USACE teams will provide information to

tribes related to the condition, benefits, and flood risks associated within the tribal lands and offer

information on best practices and tools for levee safety including levee inspection and risk assessment

procedures for interested tribal entities. The LSC will support these initiatives by developing consistent

processes and procedures for outreach efforts with tribes. The LSC will also support the development

outward facing communication materials, best practices materials, and training initiatives.

• Other Federal Agencies. As part of the activities associated with National Levee Safety Act of 2007 as

amended, the LSC is supporting initiatives that require coordination and collaboration with other

federal agencies. These initiatives include the inventory and review of the Nation’s levees and the

development of voluntary levee technical guidelines and standards. Under the guidance and request of

HQUSACE, the LSC will develop a federal coordination strategy and implement initiatives as needed.

1.4 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The LSC is under the command and control of the Vicksburg District Commander and LSC tasks and activities

are under the oversight of the HQUSACE Deputy LSO. Figure 1.1 graphically displays the command-and-

control structure of the LSC.

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Program Management Plan

Figure 1.1 Command and Control Structure of the LSC

The LSC is a virtual organization comprised of an LSC director, program managers, technical managers, and

subject matter experts (SME’s) and other support staff. Table 1.1 lists the Responsibility Assignment Matrix

(RAM) for the LSC including the responsible member for accomplishing major LSC activities, and the technical

lead for managing each product, deliverable, or service. The roles and responsibilities are briefly described

below in Table 1.1, and a detailed description of all roles and responsibilities will be outlined and identified

throughout this plan.

1.4.1 LSC Director

The LSC director is responsible for providing overall leadership and administration of the LSC program. The

LSC director is responsible for the following:

• Assignment of responsible members (e.g. technical managers, program managers, and SMEs) for

accomplishing the LSC activities

• Approve scope, milestones, schedule and costs for LSC activities

• Coordinate and lead agency review and coordination meetings for LSC activities

• Lead coordination of LSC activities with HQUSACE including HQ Dam and Levee Safety Branch Chief,

CoPs, Levee Senior Oversight Group, and Levee Safety Steering Committee

(Intermediate Rater)

Oversight

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Program Management Plan

• Lead coordination of LSC activities with other federal agencies and external organizations at the

request of HQUSACE

• Approve LSC standard operating procedures and products

1.4.2 Program Management

Program management is responsible for managing the overall LSC program at all phases of product

development and activities. Thus, program management is responsible for the following:

Financial and Overall Program Management

• Track milestones and funding execution (including earned value management) for all activities and

products to ensure proper execution

• Maintain effective procedures for the request of funds by project delivery teams (PDT)

• Maintain effective procedures and processes for work plan development of LSC activities

• Lead monthly LSC In-Progress Review (IPR) meetings to discuss status (i.e. workload, completed

work, milestones, and challenges) of LSC activities

• Lead the development and completion of LSC quarterly reports

• Manage contracts associated with LSC activities

• Ensure the proper reporting to RMC and HQUSACE on LSC activities

1.4.3 Information Management

Information management is responsible for managing the overall LSC program document repositories for

product development and activities. Information management is also responsible for the management of

information of the LSC program including:

• Maintain an effective document management process for the LSC program

• Manage technical writers and editors for document formatting and finalization

• Lead the development of the LSC program management plan and standard operating procedures

• Maintain document templates, presentation formats, and programmatic fact sheets for the LSC

program

• Content manager and administration of the LSC knowledge management portal including SharePoint

and Huddle

1.4.4 National Levee Safety Program

The LSC leads the development and implementation of the National Levee Safety Program under the oversight

of HQUSACE.

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LSC supports the National Levee Safety Program initiatives including coordination with federal agencies to

develop voluntary national guidelines. LSC technical managers lead these activities and will develop a PDT

comprised of SMEs to accomplish assigned tasks.

The National Levee Safety Program has several components that are intended to work together to improve the

management of all levees across the Nation. Technical leads have been assigned to each of the following

components:

• National Levee Safety Guidelines – the goal of the National Levee Safety Guidelines is to serve as a

national resource of voluntary, best practices to help achieve nationwide consistency in improving the

reliability of levees and resiliency of communities behind levees throughout the United States.

The guidelines are intended to be used by a variety of audiences such as levee owners/ operators,

local officials and communities, the private sector, federal, state, regional, and tribal organizations.

Primary topics in the National Levee Safety Guidelines are anticipated to range from basic concepts

and terminology to consistent approaches for the life cycle of a levee. Strategies to reduce flooding

impacts to people, property, and the environment such as risk management and risk communication

are intended to also be included.

• National Levee Database (NLD) and Data Collection – the goal of the National Levee Database and

Data Collection is to be the national resource of the most complete data record for all levees in the

Nation to improve flood risk management by:

1. identifying the most critical levee safety issues;

2. understanding the true cost of maintaining levees;

3. quantifying the Nation’s flood risk exposure; and

4. focusing priorities for future funding.

The National Levee Database, found at https://levees.sec.usace.army.mil, is intended to serve as a

dynamic, searchable inventory of information about all known levee systems in the Nation and be a

key resource for supporting decisions and actions affecting levees.

USACE will work to improve the information in the National Levee Database by fulfilling a

Congressional requirement to “carry out a one-time inventory and review of all levees in the National

Levee Database.” This will help achieve the National Levee Database goals above as well as establish

a baseline understanding of the condition and risk of levees in the Nation.

• Integrated Levee Management – the goal of Integrated Levee Management is to align and coordinate

levee safety programs across the country to ensure that all levees in the Nation have adequate,

consistent oversight regardless of levee ownership. This integration is necessary because agencies at

all levels of government contribute to floodplain and levee management, but roles and responsibilities

vary and sometimes are not well defined or coordinated. Integrated management of levees will achieve

this goal by:

1. clarifying roles and responsibilities to improve coordination and implementation in order to be

more complimentary, streamlined, and effective in managing all levees in the Nation; and

2. promoting and encouraging formal levee safety programs at the state level to serve as key

integrators with other entities that have levee responsibilities.

• Implementation Support – the goal of Implementation Support is to identify and provide various types

of assistance, such as financial, technical, or streamlined processes, to motivate and support

participation in the National Levee Safety Program. As the program continues to evolve, there is an

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1.4.5

intent to put in place processes to continuously review the effectiveness of the program and assess the

needs of users. This information will then be used to either improve existing program components or

develop new materials or tools to help make further progress in achievin the program objectives.

Levee Portfolio Evaluations

At the request of HQUSACE, LSC performs levee portfolio evaluations to support Levee Safety Program

programmatic planning and communication of the benefits and risk associated with the USACE Levee

Portfolio. These portfolio evaluations are conducted by a PDT comprised of a technical manager, SMEs in

levee safety, risk communication, public affairs, risk analysis, and cost engineering. The technical manager and

PDT are responsible for ensuring:

• Evaluations are aligned with current USACE policy and procedures

• Evaluations are conducted with clear objectives

• Evaluation products are developed to clearly communicate results to intended audiences

1.4.6 Technical Assistance Support

At the request of MSC and District LSOs, the LSC provides technical assistance for design and construction

and risk communication activities. An LSC technical manager is assigned to lead support of each request and

is responsible for:

• Assigning a PDT consisting of SMEs from USACE Districts and Centers

• Developing a scope of work (workplan) based on customer needs and requirements

• Requesting funds for the customer to accomplish the work

1.4.7 Quality Management

Quality management maintains quality assurance and control processes for the LSC Program. Quality

management is responsible for supporting the RMO in review plan oversight and assigning agency technical

review team membership. Quality management will maintain an effective quality management plan (QMP) for

the LSC Program.

1.4.8 Public Awareness and Stakeholder Engagement Initiatives

Public awareness and stakeholder engagement initiatives are performed at the request of HQUSACE through

a PDT comprised of a technical manager and SMEs in risk communication, levee safety, dam safety,

stakeholder engagement, and public affairs. The PDT may be responsible for the following:

• Developing communication products for internal and external stakeholders in support of the Levee

Safety Program including fact sheets, Public Affairs Guidance, websites, brochures, pamphlets,

presentations, etc.

• Developing stakeholder engagement plans in support of the Levee Safety Program

• Tracking stakeholder engagements in support of the Levee Safety Program

1.4.9 LSC Core Development Team

The LSC core development team personnel is annotated in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1 Responsibility Assignment Matrix

LSC Activity

Responsible

Office

LSC Leadership and Administration

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Program Management Plan

Director

Noah Vroman

LSC (MVK)

Budget Technician

Jordan Amborn

LSC (MVK)

Program Management

Senior Program Manager

Holly Porter

CEMVK-PP-D

Program Manager

Brian LaBarre

CEMVK-PP-D

Program Analyst

Anita Griffin

CEMVK-PP-D

Communication Management

Communication Analyst Lead

Jennifer Laux

LSC (MVK)

Information Management

Information Management Lead

Michelle Carey

MMC (NWK)

National Levee Safety Program

National Guidelines Technical Lead

Jamie McVicker

LSC Technical Manager (MVS)

Review Team Coordinator

Ben Caldwell

LSC Technical Manager (MVK)

Inventory and Review Technical Lead

Rick Hauck

LSC Technical Manager (MVK)

NLD Technical Manager

Brian Vanbockern

MMC (NWK)

Integrated Levee Management Technical Lead

Mike Bachand

LSC Technical Manager (MVK)

Technical Assistance

Design and Construction Lead

Brad Arcement

LSC Branch Chief - Levees (MVK)

Design and Construction Lead

Troy Cosgrove

LSC Branch Chief – Dams (MVS)

Risk Communications Branch

Technical Manager (Acting)

Katie Noland

LSC Technical Manager (MVK)

Support Member

Chris Baker

IWR (SWT)

Support Member

Lauren Loyless

LSC Risk Communication (MVK)

Support Member

Alyson Gaharan

LSC Risk Communication (MVK)

Support Member

Erin Hern

LSC Risk Communication (MVK)

Social Media Coordinator

Karen Buehler

HQUSACE

Levee Portfolio Evaluations

Technical Manager

Brad Arcement

CEMVK-EC

Cost Engineering Lead

John Dillon

CENWK-EC

Quality Management

Emily Calla

LSC (MVK)

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1.5 CONDITIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

The LSC is a reimbursable organization and funding for all activities will be provided through HQUSACE or

project funds. The LSC program manager reviews and replies via the Center’s work acceptance process to

respond to customer requests. Once the milestones and tasks are accepted, the LSC director meets with the

technical leads to develop work assignments. The LSC resources are organized into production teams, as

discussed in this plan; projects and tasks are assigned based on workload and resource availability.

For activities in support of HQUSACE, the HQUSACE Deputy LSO will assign activities to the LSC. These

activities include support to the National Levee Safety Act of 2007 (as amended), levee portfolio evaluations,

public awareness of levees and stakeholder engagement initiatives, policy and guidance updates and

development, and training and technical competency initiatives. A workplan (Appendix 1.2) will be developed

by the assigned LSC technical manager for activities assigned. The workplan will include a description of the

activity to be performed, schedule with milestones, PDT necessary to accomplish the activity and cost

estimate. The LSC director will approve all workplans developed.

For activities in support to USACE Districts and Centers, the LSC will coordinate with requesting organization

on the scope of work, milestones, and required products. A LSC technical manager will be assigned to lead the

support effort and develop a work plan including proposed PDT and schedule for approval by the requesting

organization and the LSC director. The requesting organization will provide funds necessary for completion of

the approved workplan.

1.6 QUALITY AND STANDARDS

The LSC is committed to developing all products via the processes documented in the standard operating

procedure (SOP) documentation. This practice is consistent with the USACE Quality Management System

(QMS) vision to execute the USACE mission through standard business processes that increase efficiency,

effectiveness, and product quality. The structure and content of this SOP documentation was modeled initially

after the USACE QMS template. The SOP documentation has been modified as necessary to effectively

document QMS standard requirements within the overall discussion of LSC processes and procedures. In

2018, the LSC integrated the SOP documentation with USACE QMS standards and published further

documentation in support of USACE QMS goals.

The production processes defined in the SOP include many internal review steps, summarized below, and fully

defined in future technical manuals and the SOP appendices.

Central to LSC quality management is the QMS plan-do-check-act (PDCA) philosophy:

• Plan. The SOP documentation and project work plans function together to lay out project scopes,

schedules, budgets, deliverables, and task organization as defined in the USACE PMBP.

• Do. The SOP documentation provides thorough guidance and instruction on how team members

should perform work.

• Check. Formal review steps are built into the process and checklists are provided.

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• Act. Issues identified via reviews or customer feedback are addressed as products are finalized.

Annual rollup exercises are performed as after action reviews to capture recurring issues and to

determine necessary process improvements.

LSC product quality is ensured via processes that enable multiple levels of review, including self-review of

project team member work products. Quality assurance is supported by policies for reviewing assignments and

tools (e.g. checklists). Internal review steps include review by technical staff who did not participate in

development of the product.

1.7 CONFLICT RESOLUTION

In the event a conflict exists between the LSC and other Corps entities, the LSC director and LSC technical

manager will work to resolve the conflict with the other Corps entity. If the conflict cannot be resolve, the

HQUSACE Chief of Engineering and Construction shall have final decision-making authority.

1.8 PERIODIC REPORTING

The LSC program managers, technical leads and director will conduct periodic and routine reporting of LSC

activities. Periodic and routine reporting will consist of holding agency review and coordination meetings and

developing monthly and quarterly reports.

1.8.1 Center Review and Coordination Meetings

Center review and coordination meetings are conducted to promote consistency and coordination with USACE

programs and USACE CoPs on LSC activities that are national and/or agency wide in nature. Center review

and coordination meetings are chaired by the HQUSACE Deputy LSO and include USACE CoPs and other

federal agency representatives as necessary relative to the LSC scope of activities being reviewed during the

meeting. The HQUSACE Deputy LSO determines the frequency of meetings and membership of those

participating. The LSC participates in these meetings, develops the meeting agenda in coordination with the

meeting chair, disseminates meeting materials, and documents meeting results. The LSC posts meeting

materials and results to the LSC web-based portal or other designated web-based portal for broader

distribution.

1.8.2 Monthly Reporting

The LSC develops a monthly report discussing accomplishments, next steps, issues, and concerns. The LSC

develops monthly and project status reports for upper management to review and provide feedback during the

IPR monthly meetings. Standard reports will outline project status and will provide the cost and schedule

performance index (CPI/SPI) for earned value management (EVM). Monthly reports will be provided to the

RMC and HQUSACE as well as posted on the LSC SharePoint site.

1.8.2.1 Project Schedule

An updated project schedule is provided with each monthly report. The schedule reports progress against the

following schedule milestones for each assigned project:

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1.8.3 Quarterly Reports

The LSC uses customer service, performance and quality metrics to track performance of all LSC activities and

products. The LSC submits a quarterly program and quality management report to the HQUSACE proponent

within two weeks of the conclusion of each quarter of the fiscal year.

1.9 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Data and files will be stored in the following locations throughout the duration of any LSC effort:

• Huddle—In-progress deliverables to be shared with external partners (i.e., states, Tribes,

owners/operators) prior to finalization and archive in the NLD. Documents stored and shared via

Huddle may include partner meeting agendas and notes, state packages, and informational program

materials.

Note

Inventory data received from partners for transfer to the NLD team for incorporation

into the database will temporarily be housed in Huddle. This information will be

reviewed by the NLD team for inclusion in the NLD.

• NLD—All levee geospatial data including alignment, levee attributes, owner/operator name, inspection,

and risk assessment findings, levee system summary, and related documents.

• SharePoint—Inventory and Review (I&R) and Public Awareness Communications Team (PACT)

communication to include activity status, milestone accomplishments, team meeting agendas, team

meeting notes, templates, and samples.

• ProjectWise—Internal technical assistance reports, designs, models, review comments, etc. will be

maintained on the LSC ProjectWise data site at the Vicksburg District.

• SAFE—The Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE) site will be used to deliver large-scale files to

external customers. Link to the site is: https://safe.apps.mil/

All internal (USACE only) documents, schedules, and milestones will be maintained in the LSC SharePoint

web site. The LSC SharePoint site can be found at:

https://team.usace.army.mil/sites/MVK/PDT/IR/default.aspx

Huddle web-based collaboration site link: https://usace.huddle.com/workspace/760060

All data and document repositories require user permissions.

• For Huddle and SharePoint access, please contact the Information Manager via email.

• For NLD user account set up, contact the NLD HelpDesk for access.

• For ProjectWise, contact the Vicksburg District ProjectWise administrator for access to the LSC data

folder.

Levee Safety Center

Program Management Plan

SECTION 2

National Levee Safety Program

2.1 INTRODUCTION

This section provides a summary of the team composition, program management, reporting, quality assurance

and internal training associated with the National Levee Safety program.

2.2 ORGANIZATION AND PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM

The National Levee Safety Program team is listed in Table 1.1. The responsibilities of this team is as follows:

Core Development Team

• Maintain effective internally and externally facing communication and engagement materials

• Maintain effective and consistent levee inventory, inspection, and risk assessment processes and

procedures

• Support the development of best practices for levee inventory, inspection and risk assessments to

support knowledge sharing with states, tribes, and levee owner/operators

• Develop and implement training to support knowledge sharing with states, tribes, and levee

owner/operators

• Lead outreach efforts including the coordination with liaisons

• Lead prioritization of review activities and coordination with technical teams

• Lead the integration of levee data/information into the NLD provided voluntarily by federal agencies,

states, tribes, and levee owner/operators

• Maintain an effective NLD and additional tools to support the Levee Safety Program and LSC efforts

• The NLD team will assist with data management of levee data for the inventory, inspection, and risk

assessment

• Assists with the development of outreach materials, support risk communication, and deliver risk

communication training

• Provide support to team members

Levee Safety Center

Program Management Plan

2.3 EXECUTION

The LSC National Levee Safety Program team will develop an overall budget for each fiscal year based on

anticipated execution of work activities. Priorities for each fiscal year will be established and coordinated with

HQUSACE during an annual programmatic budget meeting. National Levee Safety Program priorities may be

altered as a result of this meeting and/or subsequent discussions with HQUSACE, subject to other competing

programs being managed by the USACE Levee Safety Program.

Execution of activities will be measured through EVM methodology which essentially compares milestone

accomplishments with the expenditure of funds. Execution will be briefed by Program Management team to

HQUSACE on a quarterly basis. The accomplishment of milestones will be logged by team leads on a monthly

basis for retrieval by the LSC program management team.

Depending on the availability of USACE resources, contracts may be procured to accomplish required

activities. Existing nation-wide or regional Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contracts may be utilized,

based on the discretion of the LSC core development team.

2.4 FUNDING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

The LSC program management team will distribute funds to team members for labor and travel. Labor dollars

shall be provided via cross charge labor (CCL) and travel or other miscellaneous expenses shall be provided

via repositions.

National Levee Safety Program team leads will submit a workplan for review by HQUSACE, LSC program

manager and director for anticipated annual technical assistance services. The annual workplan shall include

all individual organizational codes for each team member requiring labor and travel funds, reflected for each

month of the fiscal year (FY). This workplan will represent the estimated labor and travel for all technical team

members under that activity.

Following approval of the workplans, quarterly labor/travel, and all Architectural/Engineering (AE) contract

services funding shall be formally requested by team members using the RMC funding request system.

Throughout the year, adjustments may be necessary to the workplan.

2.5 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Huddle will be the primary internal method for sharing information among all team members including AE

contractors. Documents that are to be shared with partners and other external stakeholders will be placed on

the Huddle web site. National Leve Safety Program data shall be managed using the following platforms

throughout the duration of the initiative:

• Huddle: In-progress deliverables to be shared with external parties (i.e., states, Tribes,

owners/operators) prior to finalization and archive in the NLD. Documents stored and shared via

Huddle may include partner meeting agendas/notes, state packages and informational program

materials. Huddle may contain For Official Use Only (FOUO) documents and information and should

be marked appropriately.

Levee Safety Center

Program Management Plan

• Sharepoint/Teams: Internal National Levee Safety Program communication to include team meeting

agendas, team meeting notes and templates/samples. Activity status and milestone accomplishments

will be stored in SharePoint/Teams.

• NLD: All levee system geospatial data including alignment, levee attributes, owner/operator name,

inspection, and risk assessment findings, levee system summary and related documents are stored in

the NLD.

2.6 UPWARD REPORTING

Upward reporting will draw from the information management systems described above. Progress towards

initiative milestones will be aggregated and reported from SharePoint, and in the future the LSC Schedule

Database. The core development team will assess progress towards these milestones to track EVM and

manage liaison and technical team workloads. The NLD will be the primary reporting tool for progress related

to inventory, inspection, and risk assessment data.

Levee Safety Center

Program Management Plan

SECTION 3

Risk Communications Branch

3.1 INTRODUCTION

Risk communications branch initiatives are performed at the request of HQUSACE through a PDT comprised

of a technical manager and SMEs in risk communication, levee safety, dam safety, stakeholder engagement,

and public affairs. The risk communications branch may be responsible for the following:

• Developing communication products for internal and external stakeholders in support of the Levee

Safety Program including fact sheets, Public Affairs Guidance, websites, brochures, pamphlets,

presentations, etc.

• Developing stakeholder engagement plans in support of the Levee Safety Program

• Tracking stakeholder engagements in support of the Levee Safety Program

The Levee Safety Production Center has engaged the Dam and Levee Safety Risk Communications Team for

assistance with implementation of the LSC risk communication initiatives and activities.

3.2 ORGANZIATION AND PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM

The Risk Communication team is the main resource for the LSC’s risk communication branch initiatives. The

chart below is provided to detail the current membership and their respective roles. The positions that will work

on the tasks outlined in the yearly work plans include those listed as Technical Manager, Support Members,

and Social Media Coordinator. This work requires the skills and expertise necessary to support effective

communication/awareness and sponsor/stakeholder engagement activities. Specific skills, expertise and

experience includes, but is not limited to: communication, risk communication, public affairs, conflict resolution,

public participation, training, writing, media interface, and communications technologies. These members will

develop and review communications and outreach materials and documents, develop and deliver training, and

provide communications-related technical assistance to districts, divisions, and HQUSACE.

The subject matter and program experts, ad hoc members, and technical managers will provide support to

activities on an as needed basis. The subject matter and program experts will be USACE members that

provide subject matter expertise, perspective and knowledge of programs or initiatives most closely related to

USACE Levee Safety Program activities and functions. Ad-hoc members may include other federal agencies

such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They will be invited to participate to share

information between the agencies related to communication and engagement activities.

Current Risk Communication team members are identified within Table 2.1.

Levee Safety Center

Program Management Plan

Table 2.1 Risk Communication Team Members

Position

Members

Technical Manager

Katie Noland, MVK

Support Members