NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program Implementation in the

NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program Implementation in the Caribbean Area January 22, 2019 USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

IMPACTED: • 100% utilities • 100% communication • Road Accessibility • Gasoline, Diesel and Gas rationing • Water and food availability

Opening Remarks

Webinar Outline ü Introduction: The Caribbean • Characteristics of the area ü Hurricanes Irma and María • Dates and Impacts • Caribbean conditions and damages ü NRCS team assistance: After the storm DSR’s • Implementation phase: • Development of SOPs • EWP Agreement process and limitations ü Partnership and Collaboration Efforts ü Communication Efforts • FEMA (Municipalities) • Debris task force • Public Affairs • Articles, social media, success stories ü Progress and Current Status ü Challenges and Limitations ü Recommendations ü Questions and Answers ü Closing Remarks

The Caribbean Area Culebra St. Thomas St. John Mona Vieques St. Croix USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Example of EWP Exigency Site

Hurricanes Irma & María: Dates & Impacts USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Hurricane Irma: • Hurricane Irma passed through the northern U. S. Virgin Islands (USVI) on September 6, 2017 as a Cat-5 storm, with winds in excess of 185 mph (155 kt). • Significant storm surge likely occurred on the USVI, especially St. Thomas & St. John. The National Ocean Service tide gauge at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, went offline during the storm and did not transmit a peak water level. • On September 7, the eye then passed ~50 n mi north of San Juan, Puerto Rico. • Highest wind speed reported in Puerto Rico was 55 mph (48 kt) , with 74 mph (64 kt ) gusts at the (NOS) site at La Puntilla in San Juan Bay. • Puerto Rico rainfall totaled 10 – 15” over high elevations in the center of the island between September 5 to 7. Reference: NOAA, NWS National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma: Puerto Rico & the USVI Satellite montage of Irma using GOES IR images and NHC advisories. Source: UW CIMMS

Hurricane María: • On September 20, 2017, just 12 days after Hurricane Irma, the center of Hurricane Maria passed ~25 n mi south of St. Croix, USVI. Peak intensity of 173 mph (150 kt ) and 908 mb pressure at 3: 00 am • María was a Cat‐ 5 storm with 160 mph winds and 917 mb pressure over Vieques at 4: 00 am on September 20 th. • María’s eyewall made landfall on Puerto Rico’s southeast coast near Yabucoa at 10: 15 am on September 20, 2017 as a high Cat-4 storm, max winds near 155 mph (135 kt ). • María crossed Puerto Rico from southeast to northwest, emerging into the Atlantic Ocean 8 hours later with winds around 110 mph (95 kt). Total storm duration was ~20 hours. • Puerto Rico experienced 6 -9 feet storm surge from Humacao to Ceiba. • Rainfall totals ranged from 15” to 38” across Puerto Rico, with massive flooding and landslides. • María was the most devastating tropical cyclone to impact Puerto Rico since 1928, when hurricane San Felipe hit the island. Reference: NOAA, NWS National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane María

Hurricane María: Puerto Rico Culebra St. Thomas & St. John Vieques St. Croix TJUA NEXRAD Radar at 3: 54 AM AST showing the center of Hurricane María just south of Vieques, PR.

Hurricane María (cont. ) Winds and Pressure • María’s peak intensity of 173 mph (150 kt) is based on a blend of observed surface winds of 152 kt and 700 -mb flight-level winds of 157 kt. Maria’s 98 mph (65 -kt) intensity increase over 24 hours on September 18 makes it tied for the sixth-fastest intensifying hurricane in the Atlantic basin record. • María’s minimum central pressure was 908 mb. This is the lowest pressure on record of any hurricane in the Atlantic basin east of 70°W, and breaks the record that had been set just a couple of weeks earlier by Irma of 914 mb. Reference: NOAA, NWS National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane María

Hurricane María Winds and Pressure 1 knot = 1. 15078 mph ≈173 mph Reference: NOAA, NWS National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane María

Hurricanes Irma & María General

Hurricanes Irma & María: Caribbean Damage and Conditions USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Damages: Hurricane Irma • St. Thomas and St. John (USVI), suffered widespread catastrophic damage, and the islands were stripped of most of their foliage. • The entire electric grid collapsed, along with communications networks. • St. Croix damage was not as severe, but power outages lasting 2 weeks. • Culebra, Puerto Rico, experienced near-total power and water loss. • Irma’s eyewall passed north of Puerto Rico, lashing the island with tropical-stormforce winds and heavy rains. • Weak structures on PR collapsed and numerous trees were uprooted. There was also a near-total loss of electricity and water supply for several days. • NOAA estimates damages in Puerto Rico and the USVI due to Irma at ~ $53 billion. Reference: NOAA, NWS National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma

Damages: Hurricane María in the USVI • St. Croix, USVI, was directly impacted by the northern edge of María’s outer eyewall. • The island’s only hospital was severely damaged, as were many schools, and the electric grid and communications network collapsed. • About 70% of the islands’ homes and structures were damaged, including widespread roof damage and complete destruction of many wooden houses. • In St. Thomas and St. John, most of the roofs, signs and trees had already been destroyed or damaged 12 days earlier by Hurricane Irma, but large rainfall accumulations generated flooding and mud slides across all these islands. • NOAA estimates damages in Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands due to María at ~ $90 billion. Reference: NOAA, NWS National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane María

Damages: Hurricane María in Puerto Rico • Puerto Rico was devastated by María’s winds and floods. • Over 200, 000 households of 1. 2 million were totally or partially destroyed. In some communities, 80 to 90 % of the homes were severely damaged. • Marinas and harbors were severely damaged by high waves and currents associated with storm surge. Storm surge also caused significant damage over the northwestern coastal area of Puerto Rico. • Hundreds of families had to be rescued from their roof tops in Toa Baja when the La Plata River flooded. • María knocked down 80 % of Puerto Rico’s utility poles and all transmission lines, plunging the island’s 3. 4 million residents into the dark. Reference: NOAA, NWS National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane María

Hurricane Irma Damages - USVI Damaged gates at St. Thomas Cyril E. King airport Source: ABC News A destroyed house in Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI. Source: REUTERS-Jonathan Drake. Destroyed homes in St. Thomas, USVI. Source: NOAANHC St. Thomas Hospital Director inspects facility damage. Source: REUTERS- Jonathan Drake.

Hurricane María Damages – Puerto Rico Source: Lee Brown, NRCS Source: National Weather Service https: //www. weather. gov/sju/maria 2017

Damages: Hurricane María (Cont. ) Agriculture • María caused unimaginable damage to agriculture across the region. • It wiped out 80% of Puerto Rico’s crop value, causing losses of $780 million in agricultural yields according to preliminary PRDA estimates. • Plantain, banana, and coffee crops were the hardest hit. Livestock farmers suffered significant losses too, losing animals, buildings, feed and more. Denuded coffee plantations in Utuado, 27 Sept 2017. Source: Norberto Valentín, NRCS

Damages: Hurricane María (Cont. ) Agriculture: Poultry Industry Damages • Puerto Rico’s poultry industry lost 90% of its production and about 2. 2 million of its 2. 6 million birds to September’s hurricanes, along with numerous chicken coops and processing equipment. Source: USA TODAY U. S. Department of Agriculture http: //ee. usatoday. com/e. Mag/? href=USAM/2018/03/22

Damages: Hurricane María (Cont. ) Agriculture: Puerto Rico’s Dairies • Hurricane María injured or killed about 4, 200 cows and caused over $2 million in losses. Source: Jonathon Groveman, NRCS

Damages: Hurricane María (Cont. ) Agriculture: U. S. Virgin Islands • Hurricane María caused widespread devastation of USVI farms, crops and facilities. Left & center: St. Croix farms post-María, Right: VI Agriculture Dept. offices, Sept. 28, 2017. Source: Julie Wright, NRCS.

Damages: Hurricane María (Cont. ) Storm Surge Source: National Weather Service https: //www. weather. gov/sju/maria 2017 Rincón, PR, shoreline erosion post-María. Source: 2018 National Climate Assessment, Caribbean Climate Hub.

Damages: Hurricane María (Cont. ) Rainfall and Flooding Source: National Weather Service https: //www. weather. gov/ sju/maria 2017

Damages: Hurricane María (Cont. ) Landslides Source: USGS Hurricane María https: //www. usgs. gov/special-topic/hurricane-maria

Damages: Hurricane María (Cont. ) Landslides Source: National Weather Service https: //www. weather. gov/sju/maria 2017 Cidra, PR. Source: Lee Brown, NRCS

NRCS Team Assistance: Post-Storm DSRs USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

EWP National Team Work Source: Edwin Martínez-Martínez, NRCS

EWP Strategy

Disaster Survey Report (DSR) Standard DSR form along with: • Attachment A: Location Map • Attachment B: Site Plan or Sketches • Project Cost Estimates • CPA‐ 52 form • Gant Chart Template • Soil Analysis • Site Pictures

EWP Disaster Survey Reports (DSR)

EWP Global Ranking Factors

EWP Ranking Factors for DSR’s (cont. )

EWP Implementation Phase USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) The EWP Program is designed to help people and conserve natural resources by relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, drought, windstorms, and other natural occurrences. Source: Edwin Martínez-Martínez, NRCS

Emergency Watershed Protection (cont. ) Urgent and Compelling (Exigency) – An imminent threat to life and property exists and requires immediate federal action. To be completed within 10 days of accessing the site in order to protect life and property. Source: Luis A. García, NRCS

Emergency Watershed Protection (cont. ) • Emergency (Non‐Exigency) – A situation where threat to life and property is high enough to constitute an emergency, but is not considered urgent and compelling. • Does not require immediate action, but should be completed as soon as possible (within 220 days from starting work).

Eligible Practices for EWP Projects Exigency ‐ Debris Removal • Vegetative • Non Vegetative Non Exigency ‐ Streambank Stabilization • • • Debris Removal Gabions Structures Seeding and Mulching Channel re-shaping Tree/Brush planting Bioengineering Source: Rolando Collazo, NRCS

EWP Program Timeline – Caribbean Area

Detailee Assistance Soil Conservationists Soil Scientists Engineers Biologists Contracting Officers Grants and Agreements Specialists • Farm Bill Program Assistants • • • Source: Edwin Martínez-Martínez, NRCS

Standard Operating Procedures • Sponsors steps to successfully secure an EWP agreement • Steps to effectively develop EWP agreements with Sponsors • Payment documentation checklist for Sponsors and NRCS team members • How to become an EWP Sponsor

Agenda: Main Discussion Points: • EWP Program Overview • Disaster Survey Reports • Package /Requirements /Timing • EWP Agreement Type • Cost Estimates • Permits • Cultural Resources • Material Disposal • Payment Process

EWP Agreements Development

Checklist: To be used with EWP payments. Provides clear guidance and reference for sponsors!

Partnerships & Collaboration Efforts USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Partnerships and Collaboration Municipalities • • • Mayors Vice-Mayor Emergency Management Agency Department of Transportation Planning Department FEMA • Branch Chiefs • Field Staff U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service USVI Department of Public Works USVI Department of Planning & Natural Resources PR Department of Natural & Environment Resources (DNER) Secretary • Regional Directors • Engineers • DNER Representatives • Soil & Water Conservation Districts • Suroeste SWCD • Caribe SWCD US Army Corps of Engineers • Director • Permitting Office

EWP Major Sponsors • Soil & Water Conservation Districts Ø Suroeste SWCD Ø Caribe SWCD • Municipalities • PR Department of Environment & Natural Resources • USVI Department of Public Works • • Source: Edwin Martínez-Martínez, NRCS Conservation District Municipality FEMA Representative

Sponsors One-on-One Meetings Source: Edwin Martínez-Martínez, NRCS

Communication Efforts • Weekly meetings with USVI Commissioner of Public Works • Weekly meetings with FEMA Debris Removal Taskforce • Coordination meetings among FEMA, DNR & NRCS (bi-weekly) • FEMA-organized meetings with municipalities • Informational meetings with groups interested in EWP • Bi-monthly website, newsletter updates Source: Edwin Martínez-Martínez, NRCS

Communication Efforts: Newspapers

Communication Efforts: Website, Social Media

Progress and Current Status USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

EWP – Project Impact EWP Type # of Projects Approximate Cost Population Impacted Properties Impacted Approximate Benefit Exigency 439 $30, 101, 552 11, 759 12, 229 $158, 261, 410 Non-Exigency Emergency 237* $22, 899, 152 * * Non-Exigency Funds not allocated to Caribbean Area at this time. * 237 Emergency Projects currently, Final project number will vary, Still evaluating sites. Source (left-right): Norberto Valentín, NRCS Utuado; Edwin Martínez-Martínez, NRCS-WDC; Lydia Collazo, NRCS-Caguas.

EWP Team Accomplishments As of 1/10/19 • 309 Exigency Projects Completed • All completed under 100% Cost Share Funding • 85 Cooperative Agreements • 56 Impacted Municipalities (including USVI: STX, STT, STJ) • 5, 776 People at Risk Saved • 5, 854 Properties at Risk Saved Source: Luis Hernández, NRCS

EWP Team Accomplishments (100% NRCS cost share)

EWP Funds Status For Exigency Projects As of 1/10/19 Initial Allocation • Allocation – $30, 101, 552. 00 • Obligated/ Committed - $10, 310, 772. 21 • Balance - $19, 790, 779. 79 Technical Assistance • Allocation – $4, 140, 879. 00 • Obligated/Committed - $1, 344, 888. 00 • Balance - $2, 795, 991. 00 Financial Assistance • Allocation - $25, 960, 673. 00 • Obligated/Committed - $8, 965, 884. 21 • Balance - $16, 994, 788. 79

Status of Current Projects • • 100 Percent Cost Share Funding ended on December 10, 2018 90%-10% Cost Share Funding from December 11, 2018 to March 10, 2019 • Pending Exigency projects will be completed under 90/10 Cost Share Funding

Culebrinas River, Moca, PR • Completed 25 June 2018 • Over 16, 000 yd 3 of accumulated sediment & debris removed

Challenges USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Challenges Right after the storm: • Completing site assessments right after the storm without power or water, limited financial and material resources. • Limited staff to address the workload (442 sites). • Limited communications (no cell phone signal, no internet, locals were dealing with other emergency-related tasks). • Poor road conditions (landslides, destroyed bridges, etc. ). • Limited knowledge about the EWP program amongst general public.

Challenges (Cont. ) • Delays in executing agreements due to the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) requirements and Puerto Rico’s current fiscal situation. • Limited time to educate potential sponsors (78 Puerto Rican towns and 4 U. S. Virgin Islands). • Completing implementation during the rainy season, which began in May.

Recommendations USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Recommendations • Establish EWP Rapid Response Team(s) ready for deployment to disaster areas. • Develop and deliver a formal training course to prepare a pool of employees for EWP implementation in disaster areas. • Explore opportunities for EWP Program training sessions for potential sponsors. • Develop a work plan for detailees and request exit reports as part of the transition process (e. g. accomplishments, pending actions, etc. ). • Create a ranking system incorporating hydrologic factors, GIS as part of the prioritization process for non-exigency projects.

Muchas Gracias! Questions?

Closing Remarks

References • NOAA-NWS National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma www. nhc. noaa. gov/data/tcr/AL 112017_Irma. pdf • NOAA-NWS Detailed Meteorological Summary on Hurricane Irma www. weather. gov/tae/Irma_technical_summary • NOAA-NWS National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane María www. nhc. noaa. gov/data/tcr/AL 152017_Maria. pdf • National Weather Service www. weather. gov/sju/maria 2017 • NRCS Caribbean Area website www. pr. nrcs. usda. gov • NOAA Hurricane María Imagery https: //storms. ngs. noaa. gov/storms/maria/index. html#7/18. 056/-64. 824 • USGS Hurricane María www. usgs. gov/special-topic/hurricane-maria • FEMA Hurricane María www. fema. gov/hurricane-maria • USA TODAY U. S. Department of Agriculture

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