Bass Lake, Portland District Photo Contest winner, Jessica Jones, Bonneville Lock and Dam. Vol. 40, No. 2 March - April 2016

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1 Vol. 40, No. 2 March - April 2016 US Army Corps of Engineers Portland District Bass Lake, Portland District Photo Contest winner, Jessica Jones, Bonneville Lock and Dam

2 pg.8 CONTENTS March - April 2016 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 3 Commander s Column: The future is bright pg.5 4 Portland District People: Amber Tilton 5 It s electric! 6 Small projects + small businesses = big benefits 8 On and off the beaten path: explore Corps trails pg.8 10 Corps to lower Cougar Reservoir for temperature control tower repairs Engineering Day pg.10 Cover photo: Bass Lake, Portland District Photo Contest winner, Jessica Jones, Bonneville Lock and Dam Corps pondent is an authorized unofficial newsletter for Department of Defense employees and retirees. Editorial content is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office, Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR Contents herein are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the Department of the Army. Layout and printing by USACE Enterprise Information Products Services. Circulation 750. Contributions and suggestions are welcome by mail, phone at (503) or to CENWP-PA@usace.army.mil Check out Corps pondent online at Commander: Col. Jose L. Aguilar Chief, Public Affairs: Matt Rabe Editor: Erica Jensen 2 March - April 2016 Corps pondent

3 Commander s Column Portland District Teammates, The future is bright for Portland District. Most of you have heard me speak on the three Ps which address our People, Processes and Programs/Projects. People are the bedrock of all we do and we have a tremendous team. As I travel around the District I am humbled by the character of our employees, their competence in their assigned duties, their dedication to mission accomplishment and their superb contributions to a culture that brings the best out in all of us. We are continuing to improve our Processes ensuring we strike a balance between standardized practices which allow us to deliver on our mission but are not so rigid as to inhibit innovation. In terms of Programs/Projects, we are in a continuous cycle where we must simultaneously deliver our current year program, defend our next year s budget and develop the Program/Projects two years out. I call this process the three Ds where we Deliver, Defend and Develop. We are currently Delivering the 2016 Fiscal Year program, executing it tremendously well. All of you are contributing to this effort. We have reached the halfway point (covering October through March) and I continue to receive updates on our progress. We do have some challenges, such as the Columbia Stock Ranch, but I know we are focused on this and that we will all come together to deliver for the American people. We ve already completed a well-executed lock outage, our dredges are out of annual maintenance and are now at work, helping to keep our nation s commerce moving. Our operating projects are making significant progress as they execute their assigned missions and Block 300 staff continue to deliver on their work and actions, even through the renovation of our offices. Thank for your patience and professionalism. Our team is Defending the FY17 program. The President s Budget, also commonly referred to as PBUD, is a rollup of requirements needed to run the Nation. The PBUD was submitted at the beginning of the calendar year to Congress by the President. With that, we have and are continuing to engage with our administration and congressional leaders to better inform them of the requirements of our region. As I write this, Brig. Gen. Scott Spellmon and other leaders from the Northwestern Division are in Washington, D.C. responding to questions and providing information to our national leaders to assist them in making investment decisions for our Nation in FY17. Col. Jose L. Aguilar Concurrently, leaders across the District are also Developing our FY18 requirements and it s no easy task since we don t have all the facts and there are always more requirements than resources. Through collaboration throughout the District and with our partners, we expect to complete this by this summer. The administration will roll this up and will present it to Congress as the Presidential Budget early next year, continuing the cycle. A popular Army quote says, Great units do routine things routinely. Portland District, you are doing routine things routinely. I appreciate all you do, it is an honor to serve you and to serve our Nation alongside you. Competence follows Character. Col. Jose Aguilar 61st Colonel of the District 3

4 Portland District People Amber Tilton Park Ranger, The Dalles Lock and Dam Describe your job: Here s an example of a common interaction I have with the public: Visitor: Oh, so you work for the National Park Service? Park Ranger: No, actually I work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Visitor: Thank you for your service. Park Ranger: Actually I m not in the army. You see.. Park rangers are typically the first (and sometimes only) contact the public has with the Corps. We give the agency a face and along with that, a context; relating not just who we are but why we are, is my daily job. What do you find most rewarding about your job? For me, the most rewarding part of my job is making a connection with people. It s great to see the light bulb go off in someone s brain (no pun intended) when they realize that the Corps is more than just a concrete structure in the middle of the river. What challenges do you encounter when doing your job? Because our agency has so many missions, it can be a challenge to connect the dots for people. We want them to see the bigger picture of the Corps and how we play a role in their everyday lives. How does your job fit into our District mission? What s an example of this? For those of us in the recreation business line, that means showing our visitors that Corps parks are where you go to play and are practically right in your back yard. The proximity of our parks to major metropolitan areas, makes the Corps a hidden giant among federal and state agencies, with more than 360 million visitors a year. What inspires you as you do your job? What inspires me most about putting a uniform on every day (and, yes, it s almost exactly the same as the National Park Service), is that I earn my paycheck sharing the thing I love. What is your favorite quote? Why? Henry David Thoreau said it best; Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. A park ranger s job is to make sure there are places to go and fish to catch. We care for and protect the resources we are entrusted with. For Corps park rangers, that means we manage everything off the concrete. 4 March - April 2016 Corps pondent

5 It s Electric! By Amber Tilton, The Dalles Lock and Dam Where does electricity come from and what do dams and water have to do with it? Many find the answer at Bonneville Lock and Dam s Great Electrifying Event where park rangers and volunteers have been demystifying electricity in all of its stages for the past 16 years. On average, more than 300 people a year, mostly elementary-age kids and their accompanying adults, attend the GEE where they learn through hands-on demonstrations how electricity is generated through the power of water. This year, participants orbited through stations and other activities to learn about the anatomy of an atom, electrical charges, magnetic fields, conductors, insulators and circuits. They also toured Bonneville Dam s second power house, where walking on top of a generator and seeing it spin, seemed to be the highlight of the day. And, as an added bonus, those who completed all of the activities and had their investigation notebook passport stamped, earned a prize! The Great Electrifying Event coincides with National Engineering Week, which encourages young students to get involved with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. If you missed this year s event, don t worry, you ll have another opportunity to be electrified at the next GEE in February Watch for details on our website in January! In the meantime, plan a visit now to Bonneville Lock and Dam s Washington Shore Visitor Complex or the Bradford Island Visitor Center and take a dam tour. For details on hours of operations and other information, visit our website at Locations/ColumbiaRiver/Bonneville.aspx 5

6 Small projects + small businesses = big benefits By Michelle Helms, Public Affairs Office Two small projects recently made big impacts in the Northwest: the Trestle Bay Ecosystem Restoration and the Spirit Lake Tunnel Repair projects. Their impacts weren t limited to accomplishing the projects goals restoring environmental benefits and flood risk management. The projects were completed by two small businesses based in southwest Washington that were selected for the big benefits their expertise offered to both the Portland District and the regional economy. Small businesses help strengthen local communities economies, said Carol McIntyre, deputy for Small Business for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District. When the Corps awards a contract to a small, local business that business buys supplies, rents equipment, subcontracts to other businesses. They pay their employees who then pay rent, buy groceries, clothes. The two companies that worked on the Trestle Bay and Spirit Lake projects, LKE Corporation and Catworks, LLC, have worked on other Corps projects; they re familiar with the government acquisition process, which, like many bureaucratic processes, has its nuances. This experience helps grow the businesses into larger enterprises. We review every contract requirement to see if there are strong candidates in the small business program who can perform the work or provide an item, said Anna Peine, chief of Portland District s Supply/Services Contracting section. When we can nurture small businesses they become large businesses and in return they become valuable partners for meeting future government needs. Photos by Jeffrey Henon, Public Affairs Office WARRENTON, Oregon A crane relocates a large jetty stone, Jan. 22, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce and other state and local partners worked together to create fish passages in the Trestle Bay jetty. 6 March - April 2016 Corps pondent

7 A business is considered small if it is: one that is organized for profit located as a place of business in the U.S. operating primarily within the U.S. or making a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor independently owned and operated not dominant in its field on a national basis A work crew enters the Mount St. Helens Spirit Lake Output Tunnel Jan. 11, The U.S. Forest Service, who owns the tunnel, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other local and state partners, completed interim tunnel repairs in Small business owners who want to compete for government contracts have an ally in the Corps, whose specialists can help them learn to navigate the labyrinth of rules and requirements that are the Federal Acquisition Regulations. The Corps needs businesses that provide everything from supplies and materials to construction services, said McIntyre. Small businesses have limited marketing resources; the small business office, with the contracting office and project team members, conducts market research, looking for those companies that have the services our projects are looking for. When we find them, we assist them through briefings and technical interviews on how to present those services most effectively. Market research isn t limited to just finding the services projects need; for many Corps construction projects, the research team needs to find small businesses where the work is to be performed. Portland District s projects aren t typically found in large metropolitan areas; they re on mountain tops, on the coast and on rivers several miles upstream from cities. The market research targets as much as possible, local businesses such as small construction companies, equipment rental, small environmental firms that can consult, support permitting, monitoring, etc. New technologies, new methods and changing engineering needs require more than just finding these small businesses. It s important for project teams and resource providers to meet and exchange information. Such meetings must be done in an environment that balances both parties needs while respecting fair contracting opportunities. Industry days offer a sanctioned environment where Corps employees can share their project challenges and needs with the business owners who may have solutions, said McIntyre. The events also allow the Corps to share unique details for upcoming projects that may require contractors to meet specific requirements, such as material quantities or qualities. For instance, the major rehabilitation of the jetties at the Mouth of the Columbia River is a huge project that will rely on sub contractors, including small business owners, to provide some of the materials such as the more than 500,000 tons of jetty stone. There s a lot at stake for the Corps and for these businesses, said Jerry Otto, project manager. Our advertisement period is planned for 45 days, which may not be long enough to allow all potential quarries to gather the information they ll need to compete. The extra time also gives potential sources time to apply for and receive the permits they ll need before the Corps can evaluate the quality of the stone they produce to ensure it meets the design standard. Giving the industry advance notice of requirements gives them the opportunity to increase their competitiveness. The Corps is serious about developing small businesses and maximizing the opportunities to take part in the federal procurement process. Outreach, networking and industry days all provide for a broad base of suppliers to support the mission and strengthen the nation s economic development. 7

8 On and off the beaten path: Explore Corps trails This spring, head outside and explore a few well known and some not so well known trails By Amber Tilton, The Dalles Lock and Dam Q: What do all of the following have in common? Lewis and Clark, Oregon and California National Historic trails, Rogue and Row River National Recreation trails, Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, and the Northwest Discovery Water Trail? A: Many of Portland District s 175 miles of trails, fall nearby or within these trail systems. Along the Columbia River The Northwest Discovery Water Trail Take a watery adventure and explore three different rivers along this 367-mile stretch of wet fun. Launch the boat of your choice at Canoe Camp on the Clearwater River in Idaho, drift down the Snake River and then splash into the Columbia River ending at Bonneville Dam in Oregon s Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Whether it s a day or an overnight camping trip, you won t be bored! Some of the region s most scenic, natural and cultural wonders are best seen from the water. Along the water trail, explore riverside communities, wildlife refuges, parks, riverside trails, museums, visitor centers and more. To plan your trip, visit, In the Willamette Valley Row River Trail Cradled between the Pacific Crest and California trails is the beautiful Row River Trail. Beginning in the City of Cottage Grove, the paved trail follows an abandoned rail line for 15 miles past Dorena Lake to the old logging town of Culp Creek, near the Umpqua National Forest. You will traverse a variety of landscapes as you pass three of the six bridges along the historic Covered Bridge Scenic Byway. Prepare to enjoy lake-front shoreline, urban parks, scenic farmland and lush forests. Trailheads are located near Dorena Dam, Row Point, Harms Park and Bake Stewart Photo by Jessica Jones, Bonneville Lock and Dam 8 March - April 2016 Corps pondent

9 Park with lots of opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. To learn more, visit: nwp.usace.army.mil/locations/ WillametteValley/Dorena.aspx In the Rogue River Area Trails along Applegate, Lost Creek and Elk Creek Neighbors to the popular California and Pacific Crest trails; all three recreation areas are guaranteed fun! At Applegate Lake, grab your horse, motorcycle or mountain bike and mosey along 18 miles of meandering shoreline, which extends all the way to the California border. Venture to Lost Creek Lake near the scenic Rogue River Trail system. With 30 miles of trail looping this fresh water bowl, Lost Creek offers developed parks, campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps, fishing and more. Celebrate National Trails Day June 4, 2016; the country s largest celebration of trails. Looking for that off-the-beaten-path adventure? Just past Lost Creek Lake along Highway 62 is the Blue Grotto. Aptly named for its unique, blue-green volcanic tuff rocks, this scenic hike is a great adventure year round. The trail wanders through Madrone forest, across foot bridges and along the lake, ending in the grotto. Accessible from the Lewis Road trailhead, this easy workout has great rewards at the end a stunning winter waterfall! Prefer a more primitive experience? Elk Creek offers seven miles of hiking trails surrounded by more than three thousand acres of open land. Wildlife sightings are almost guaranteed but few facilities or services are available. For details visit: Locations/RogueRiver.aspx This spring choose your path and explore these or other Corps trails near you. To find a Corps recreation site near you, visit Photo by Christie Johnson, Willamette Valley Project Photo by Amber Tilton, The Dalles Lock and Dam Photo by David Hays, Rogue River Project 9

10 Corps lowers Cougar Reservoir for temperature control tower repairs By Scott Clemans, Public Affairs Office The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lowered Cougar Reservoir to about 80 feet below its usual winter elevation by the end of March to allow for urgent debris removal and repairs in Cougar Dam s temperature control tower. Cougar Dam and Reservoir are on the South Fork McKenzie River about 40 miles east of Eugene, Oregon. The Corps normally begins filling the reservoir on Feb. 1 each year, with the goal of reaching its maximum summer elevation by early May. Recent inspections found three trash rack panels 2 feet by 5 feet sections of heavy-duty grating that prevent debris from entering the dam s water intake were dislodged and lying on the floor of the temperature control tower. Inspections also found a large amount of debris in the penstock that feeds water to the dam s two hydropower turbine units, and in the units themselves. Removal of the debris and repairs to the temperature control tower s were deemed a critical repair need. The debris affects the dam s ability to accomplish several of its authorized missions. The Corps shut down both generating units, and could not accomplish the dam s hydropower generation mission. Generation flows are also essential to attracting endangered spring Chinook to the adult fish collection facility immediately downstream of the powerhouse, which is a key part of the dam s fish and wildlife mission. Photo by Scott Clemans, Public Affairs Office Graham Hilson, general maintenance manager for the Corps Willamette Valley Project, sizes up debris that has accumulated outside of Cougar Dam s temperature control tower. 10 March - April 2016 Corps pondent

11 To minimize impacts to the project s missions particularly our fish and wildlife mission we really want to have this work complete by April 1, before the spring Chinook migration gets underway in the McKenzie Basin, said Greg Taylor, supervisory fish biologist for the Corps Willamette Valley Project. The debris could affect operation of the dam s regulating outlets the alternate route for passing water through the dam which are important to the dam s flood control mission. This is an operational emergency, in that our ability to accomplish some of our missions has been impacted, said Willamette Valley Project operations manager Erik Petersen. However, this is not a dam safety emergency; there is no risk to the structure or to lives or property downstream. The repair work delayed refill of Cougar Reservoir and may result in lower than usual summer elevations. If we are able to start refilling the reservoir in early April and have a fairly average water year, we will be able to refill the reservoir to about 1,640 feet 50 feet below the maximum summer elevation, said Tina Teed, Willamette Valley Projects reservoir regulator. That would seriously curtail availability of the reservoir s two boat ramps, but the Corps should be able to meet its downstream flow and water temperature targets for the summer and fall, Teed added. In comparison, the reservoir did not fill above 1,605 feet during the 2015 drought. Cougar is one of 13 dam and reservoir projects operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Willamette River drainage system. Each project contributes to a water resource plan designed to provide flood damage reduction, power generation, irrigation, water quality improvement, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation and navigation on the Willamette River and many of its tributaries. For more information, visit Locations/WillametteValley.aspx. 11

12 2016 Engineering Day Jeffrey Henon, Public Affairs Office More than 70 area high schools students got a glimpse recently into the world of engineering at Portland District s 2016 Engineering Day event. It s important to bring our students into the real world and see what they re working towards, said Cyril Stokman, event co-chair. The day was a blend of workshops and construction site tours, each one intended to spark interest. Corps engineers and mentors led conversations, encouraging students to ask questions. If you ask a question to a person you not only learn about the person s job, but also how they feel about their field, If they get really into it, said Jessica Blair, a senior at Woodland High School in Washington. Like the guy who explained 3D modeling, you knew he was into it because he kept going on about it and he loved it. It was so cool. This year s event included visits to active construction sites in the Portland area. Project superintendents from Andersen Construction led students through four construction projects: the Cosmopolitan and 8L, in Northwest Portland, The Yard in Northeast Portland and Loca in Southeast Portland. Design engineers explained to students how the building was designed and project engineers explained how on-site work is managed. In addition to the hands-on workshops and site visits, students were given the opportunity to talk to representatives of various engineering firms during a mini job fair sponsored by the Society of American Military Engineers. The job fair gives students the chance to talk to a variety of professional engineers, said SAME representative Heidi Nelson. It gives them a perspective that they wouldn t otherwise have just being in a classroom. At the end of the day students feedback indicated the information and activities gave them what they need as they begin to plan for their lives after high school. It s exciting, just thinking that I can make the future better, I can possibly change something, said Blair. I love engineering, said Kyle Ledda-Lewaren. There s a whole wide world of engineering that you can experience and just so many places you can go. Photos by Amber Tilton, The Dalles Lock and Dam Students watch as engineers explain the forces at work on a crane lowering a building section to be installed on The Yards construction project. The tour of the active construction site was one of four tours that were part of Portland District s 2016 Engineering Day activities. Jack McCollister, a mechanical Engineer in Training in HDC s Turbomachinery Section, demonstrated hydropower concepts to high school students during Portland District s 2016 Engineering Day event. During his presentation, he addressed the height of the water in the reservoir and the flow from that reservoir in terms of available or ideal hydropower. The turbine shaft included a tachometer in order to approximate the power captured by the turbine and express the efficiency of the device. 12 March - April 2016 Corps pondent