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Vol. 37 No. 4 A monthly publication of the Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers November 2007
Magness enjoys San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade
By Daniel J. Calderón  Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, district commander for USACE Los Angeles District, talks with Domingo Samudio – who is better known in pop culture circles as “Sam the Sham” – before the Fourth Annual San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade held Nov. 11. Samudio read an original poem honoring past and present military members before the start of the parade.
“I thought it was a great parade,” Magness said. “I was honored to be invited here and proud to have the chance to be a part of a celebration honoring the men and women in uniform from yesterday and today.”  Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, district commander for USACE Los Angeles District, talks with Congressman Howard L. Berman and Pearl Ricci, Berman’s executive secretary, before the start of the Fourth Annual San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade held Nov. 11. Magness, along with Berman, was a member of the official party on the grandstand for the parade. Before the parade’s start, Berman presented several veterans with medals they had earned in past conflicts.
Los Angeles City Council member Richard Alarcon, of the seventh district, was also a member of the official party on the dais. He said the parade was an opportunity, for a community and the entire city, to remember the sacrifices made by military veterans of the past and those sacrifices still being made by military members today.
 Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, district commander for USACE Los Angeles District, talks with Maj. James Zepko, commanding officer for Marine Corps Recruiting Station Los Angeles, before the beginning of the Fourth Annual San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade.
Congressman Howard L. Berman, of the 28th Congressional District, was on hand to present several veterans with medals and ribbons they had earned during their career. For one reason or another, these veterans had not received the accolades when it had been their proper time so Berman was able to present them before the parade began.
 Domingo Samudio – more widely known in pop culture circles as “Sam the Sham” – waves to spectators at the Fourth Annual San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade. Samudio, who read an original poem at the grandstand prior to the parade's start, served as a Photographers Mate in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1959. The parade proceeded for more than a mile down Laurel Canyon Blvd. and ended near the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima. There, organizers set up a carnival for parade participants and spectators to enjoy. |
 Rio de Flag project now underway
By Jennie Ayala
 (From left to right) Flagstaff city council member Al White, Deputy Commander for USACE Los Angeles District Lt. Col. Martha Kiene, Arizona Nevada, Acting Area Engineer Neil Erwin, Alpine Diversified, Inc. owner Lonnie Minor, Council member Karen Cooper and Mayor, Joseph ‘Joe’ C. Donaldson break ground on the first phase of the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project, the Clay Avenue Wash Detention Basin project in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Rail cars moved along the BNSF rail line no more than 200 feet away, and the Hidden Hollow Manufactured Home Community remained tucked behind the standing pines. The two features served to remind guests of this important project feature in their community and how the entire project will reduce the significant impact to residential, commercial and industrial structures.
“There’s a great reason to celebrate today," noted Kim Gavigan, a planner for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers . “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. It’s taken 14 years to get us here,” he said, noting his initial involvement in the reconnaissance study that began in 1993.
The Clay Avenue Detention Basin consists of two-riprap protected earthen embankments, constructed at an elevation to temporarily detain the estimated Maximum Probable Flood (100-year). Borrow material, excavated from a larger basin (a former pasture) will be used to construct the embankments, protecting the BNSF Railroad mainline and the neighboring Hidden Hollow Manufactured Home Community.
“This phase of the project is in the public’s immediate best interest,” said Mayor Joe Donaldson. “This project continues to be one of the City of Flagstaff’s top priorities and we remain committed to this quality project for our citizens.”
 Lt. Col Martha Kiene, deputy commander for the USACE Los Angeles District, discusses the Corps’ plan to replace every tree cleared in preparation for the new project with Shannon Scaturro, a Flagstaff, Ariz. television reporter. Contractors plan to clear more than 1,700 pine trees.
Eighteen floods have been recorded along the Rio de Flag since 1988. The last major flood occurred in 1993.
Significant development occurred within the Rio de Flag floodplains until adoption of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps and associated development restrictions in 1983. Years of unregulated development in the floodplain left only a narrow and shallow low-flow channel throughout much of the downtown area.
Today, more than half of Flagstaff’s population would be directly affected by a large flood, which could result in damage to approximately 1,500 structures.
Rio de Flag project features include channel modifications, construction of a detention basin to reduce flood flows along the wash and construction of berms and floodwalls in the Thorpe Park area. Recreational aspects include expanding and enhancing the Flagstaff Urban Trail System and restoring riparian habitat within the project area.
During her opening remarks, Lt. Col. Martha Kiene, deputy commander for the Los Angeles District, noted how these projects come to fruition only through the collaborative effort and the dedicated support from Congressional representatives. She recognized Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi for his efforts throughout the design and construction of this project. Kiene also thanked non-Federal sponsors, contractors and Corps staff.
“We’re delighted to have partnered with the city on designing the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project, and the Corps will continue to work closely with the city until all phases of the project are complete,” said Kiene.
The Clay Avenue Wash Detention Basin, a $5.1 million feature was awarded to Alpine Diversified, Inc. of Lemoore, Calif. in July under the Federal Small Business set-aside program. Completion is expected in August 2008. |
Los Angeles District represented at AISES conference
By Los Angeles District Public Affairs Office  Rich Gallegos, the Corps’ lead AISES recruiter, speaks with Shandin Y, a chemical engineering student at Dine College
AISES, a national non-profit organization, provides educational opportunities for American Indian students. The organization aims to increase the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science and other related technology disciplines.
 Albuquerque’s Rich Zaragoza discusses Corps opportunities with Chris Smith, a mechanical engineering student at North Eastern State University Oklahoma
Recruiters spoke with several interested students and professionals about career opportunities with the Army Corps of Engineers. Kim Gavigan, a planner for the L.A. District who works out of the Phoenix office, and Jennie Ayala, public affairs specialist from the Phoenix office, represented the Los Angeles District.
 Leticia Reyes (left) and Chantel Atcitty of Estrella Mountain Community College in Arizona speak with Corps recruiter about student intern positions. Both are currently participating in the Lockheed Apprenticeship Program. Corps representatives collected 52 resumes throughout the event from students interested in engineering opportunities. According to the AISES Web site, Andrew Conseen Duff, AISES Board Chair, said hundreds of potential employees and many employers were at this year’s conference. Attendees included college and high school students, leaders of the National Indian Education Association and National Congress of American Indians and fortune 100 companies. AISES hosts close to 2,000 participants and more than 200 exhibit booths each year.
Next year AISES will hold its conference in Anaheim, CA. and USACE plans to be there in full force. |
Southwest San Bernardino County to receive third rail track
By Mark Cohen The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Los Angeles District issued a permit to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) Company to begin construction on a third track in southwest San Bernardino County after completion of full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of compliance with the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The permit was issued in May and will result in the construction of a 15.9 mile-long third main track through the Cajon Pass from Keenbrook to Summit, Calif. The project will accommodate existing and future freight demands. The environmental review was completed in near record time – 14 months from the publication of a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS to the signing of the Record of Decision and issuance of a permit. An average EIS may take as long as six years to complete.
The environmental and permitting processes consisted of several steps, including the preparation of an EIS and Environmental Impact Report (EIR), formal consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and a negotiated agreement regarding compliance with applicable cultural resource laws.
“Completion of an EIS in that amount of time was an incredible challenge,” said Susan Meyer, lead Project Manager. Regulatory program manager Gerry Salas was also instrumental in bringing the project to a successful conclusion. Regulatory Division chief David Castanon noted the project was made successful by a “virtual project delivery team,” led by Regulatory Division. The team included members in Honolulu, Hawaii; Anchorage, Alaska; San Diego, Calif. and of course, in San Bernardino. Castanon said the team functioned “flawlessly.”
“Lessons learned on this project can be exported to the Corps Regulatory program nationwide,” said Castanon.
In October, Meyer and Castanon briefed General Van Antwerp on the project’s success. The meeting allowed the Castanon, Meyer and others to meet with the General and promote the work of the PDT.
The challenge, according to division members, is finding the right balance between environmental concerns and development. However, the division is always looking for ways to improve interagency coordination and enhance the efficiency of the permit evaluation process.
Division Chief Ruth Villalobos acted as a management liaison between the Los Angeles District and BNSF. Steve Dibble helped ensure compliance with cultural resource laws. Joy Jaiswal performed an air quality review of the project. The project is considered a national priority and BNSF wanted to complete the permitting process as quickly as possible so construction could begin. However, they also wanted a robust environmental review. The company, therefore, proposed the project be evaluated under a full EIS. The Corps Regulatory Division evaluates projects for compliance under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and must issue or deny a permit after the required environmental review, including a public interest review, is complete. Regulatory evaluates permit applications from both private land owners and public agencies wishing to undertake activities within aquatic ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands and the ocean. The successful BNSF permit process has gained its share of attention. The BNSF PDT has been nominated for several awards, including PDT of the Year. Col. Thomas H. Magness, district commander for the L.A. District, recently toured the project area with BNSF officials and PDT members. |
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