California City project ends with some bangs
By Daniel J. Calderón

A plume of dust rises into the air near California City, Calif. after a controlled explosion July 2. The Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District detonated two 100-pound bombs and several smaller pieces of ordnance in a series of controlled explosions at the former Mojave Gunnery Range C.

The team performed the demolition at the former MGRC with the local firefighters on standby. Allen and his team also notified local authorities to ensure they were aware of the detonations. Also, Allen wanted to make sure local authorities were aware in case the team needed any assistance in keeping individuals away from the site of the explosions. Since the Corps team was on private land, the team members didn’t have the authority to “police” the area and would have needed local law enforcement officials to remove non-team members from the site.

“It’s definitely a safety concern,” said Allen.

The team established a 2,000-foot safety zone around the blast areas. The zone was based on the expected fragmentation range of a bomb smaller than the one being destroyed, with an additional safety buffer added. The team stationed “road guards” and lookouts to prevent people from coming in to the safety area. They were also watching for desert tortoises which might wander into the area. The team was prepared to halt the detonations if there were any safety concerns.
 
The team completed the detonations with no problems. At the appointed times, plumes of desert dust rose dozens of feet into the air as the 1940s-era ordnance was destroyed.

“Good job everyone,” Allen said. “Really good job.”

Corps awards mainstem project contract
By Daniel J. Calderón

At a press conference held July 27 in Flagstaff, Ariz., the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District awarded the first contract for the Rio de Flag mainstem project. The project involves a process new to Arizona – drilling beneath a surface street.

Allen Engineering Contractor, Inc., the Corps’ contractor on this project, has secured the services of Golden State Boring to use a tunneling technique knows as “rib and lagging.”
 
“The reason we chose this contractor is because they have experience like no one else,” said Bob Reynolds, a project engineer for the L.A. District. “We look forward to beginning in September.”

The project calls for a replacement of the eight-foot diameter pipe to a 16-foot diameter pipe. To accomplish this, Golden State Boring will push a steel tunnel shield, approximately 17 feet in diameter, through the road embankment under Butler Ave. The work will continue at a prescribed pace with the shield moving forward then earth begin removed from inside the shield. In this way, the contractor will pose minimal disruptions to one of the primary traffic corridors in Flagstaff. The tunnel, when completed, will be approximately 150 feet long and 16 feet in diameter.
 
“This is a fantastic day,” said Flagstaff mayor Sara Presler. “We really needed the Army Corps of engineers and our federal representatives. I think this project shows we have a good healthy relationship with our federal partners.”

The larger tunnel will help improve the city’s flood damage reduction capability in the event of a major flood event.
 
“The nature of flooding in the Southwest is different than in the rest of the nation,” said Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, L.A. District commander. “It’s dry until it floods and the transition is so quick, we need to prepare before the rains come.”

The work is scheduled to last 300 calendar days and will cost an estimated $3.4 million.

Corps completes Leupp school project
By Daniel J. Calderón

A building representing a traditional Navajo Hogan sits in the courtyard at the new school facility in Leupp, Ariz. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District completed the new school for students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. The school will serve students from three area towns.

“We are very glad to have this school for our students,” said Lolita Paddock, acting executive director for Leupp Schools, Inc. “We appreciate the work the Army Corps has done for our students and for our community.”

In addition to new school facilities, the Corps’ contractor – Odyssey International Construction Services – built a Hogan for the school. According to Paddock, a Hogan is a traditional Navajo family building. The door is styled to resemble a customary Navajo blanket and faces east in order to greet each day.
 
“At the beginning of the day, you would take your corn pollen and place a bit on your tongue for good thoughts,” began Paddock. “You would place some on your forehead for good thoughts and sprinkle some in front of your feet for a good journey that day.”

The building at the school symbolizes a traditional Hogan and will be used for traditional Navajo ceremonies and as a place to help instruct students in Navajo culture. Local Medicine Men and other cultural experts will be on hand throughout the school year to provide stories and help mark significant cultural observations throughout the year.
 
In addition to the school buildings, there is a new dormitory for housing Leupp students on campus. The dorms can hold more than 90 students and will provide an alternative to long bus rides or commutes for students who live at great distances from the school. He school will determine which students are eligible for residence in the dorm.
 
“This is a great project for the kids and for the people in the area,” said Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, Los Angeles District commander. “We’re proud to be a part of helping ensure students have high quality facilities to receive a great education.”

Navajo County supervisors meet with Army Corps of Engineers
By Laurie Frost, Navajo County Public Information office

Navajo County and City of Winslow elected officials and staff met with Col. Thomas Magness, Commander Los Angeles District and the Army Corps of Engineers at La Posada in Winslow on July 29, 2008. This meeting will be another stage in Navajo County’s and the Army Corps of Engineers partnering on the Winslow Levee project.

“We know how important this problem is for the people in and around the Winslow area,” Magness said. “As a partner in the feasibility study, the Corps is proud to help in this effort to reduce the risk of flood damage.”

Navajo County Supervisor Jesse Thompson said Navajo County had petitioned Congress for the last several years to provide funding so that the Army Corps could work with Navajo County on fixing the Winslow Levee. This resulted in Congressman Renzi helping to provide $80,000 of appropriation and Senator Kyl earmarking $250,000 on the Water and Energy Appropriation Bill.

“Because of this funding, we can finally go to work with the Army Corps to find the best solution for the Winslow Levee,” Supervisor Thompson said. “I feel confident this partnership will bring about a solution to this challenge.”

The Corps is utilizing the $80,000 as seed money to develop a Project Management Plan that outlines the work required to complete a feasibility study.

“We’d like to thank the Army Corps of Engineers for this opportunity to partner with them on this issue,” said Navajo County Supervisor J.R. DeSpain.

“As soon as the President signs the Bill, and pending his approval, we will have federal funding to partner with the Army Corps on the feasibility study,” said Homero Vela, Deputy Director of Flood Control for Navajo County. “The feasibility study will take 3- 4 years to complete and will cost $5.7 million dollars.”

Navajo County is prepared to enter into agreement and participate in cost sharing with the Corps to provide improvement to the Winslow Levee. The project scope will not only consider flood mitigation but will also include ecosystem restoration.