Master Water Control Manual Update Environmental Impact Statement for the Alabama – Coosa – Tallapoosa River Basin

A.1 The operations at each federal reservoir managed by the Corps are described in Water Control Plans as documented in Water Control Manuals. The manuals typically outline the regulation schedules for each project, including operating criteria, guidelines, and rule curves for varying conditions, as well as specifications for storage and releases from the reservoirs. The Water Control Manuals also outline the coordination protocol and data collection, management, and dissemination associated with routine and specific water management activities such as flood control operations or drought contingency operations.

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Q.2 Who provides authorization for Water Control Operations?

A.2. The authority for Water Control Operations for Corps-owned and operated reservoir projects is contained in legislative authorization acts and referenced project documents. The public laws and project documents usually contain provisions for the development of Water Control Plans, and appropriate revision thereto, under the discretionary authority of the Chief of Engineers. In addition, Section 7 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 provides that, "On and after December 22, 1944, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Army to prescribe regulations for the use of storage allocated for flood control or navigation at all reservoirs constructed wholly or in part with Federal funds provided on the basis of such purposes, and the operation of any such project shall be in accordance with such regulations:" (33 USC 709). The "Blanket" congressional authorizations that apply to all federal reservoir projects include the following:

Flood Control Act of 1944 (P.L. 78-534)
Water Supply Act of 1958 (P.L. 85-500)
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (P.L. 85-624)
Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (P.L. 92-500)
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-205)
Water Resource Development Acts
Corps regulation in support of Flood Control and Navigation for non-federal projects (FERC license, MOAs, and such)

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Q.3 Why is a Water Control Plan necessary?

A.3. Without a comprehensive, updated Water Control Plan, the Corps runs the risk of, among other things, not providing sufficient water where needed (when needed to meet the authorized purposes of the projects and the needs of stakeholders, whether domestic, municipal, or industrial); adversely affecting endangered species; expending water resources too early, which reduces the ability to maintain the system to meet project purposes and the needs of stakeholders; and flooding people and facilities that are now within flood plains. This risk is due to changing conditions within the basin and at federal reservoirs which, if not accounted for, can affect water management decisions.

Hydrologists must consider and evaluate many factors to determine the appropriate management of water at each lake. In addition to the constraints of the authorized purposes, they must consider power contract commitments, hydrologic and climatologic factors, downstream lake and basin wide conditions, potential threats of flood and drought, and lake levels.

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Q.4 What will the Water Control Plans consist of?

A.4. Updated Water Control Plans will capture the following:

Project/system operations refined over the years due to changes in basin hydrology and withdrawals/consumption that resulted from years of growth/development
Drought contingency requirements to account for new data and operational changes
Updated data reflecting current basin conditions
New/rehabilitated project structural features
Environmental requirements for endangered species and fish spawns
Procedures for capturing/using real-time data provided by additional gages and monitoring devices installed since the last plan updates
Latest computer models and techniques to evaluate and establish guidelines for project operations
Improved and streamlined methods for data exchange between the Corps and other agencies

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Q.5 Which laws mandate the updates of the Water Control Plans?

A.5. The authority for Water Control Operations for Corps-owned and operated reservoir projects is contained in legislative authorization acts and referenced project documents. The public laws and project documents usually contain provisions for the development of water control plans, and appropriate revision thereto, under the discretionary authority of the Chief of Engineers. In addition, section 7 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 provides that, “On and after December 22, 1944, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Army to prescribe regulations for the use of storage allocated for flood control or navigation at all reservoirs constructed wholly or in part with Federal funds provided on the basis of such purposes, and the operation of any such project shall be in accordance with such regulations:…” (33 U.S.C. 709). Updated Water Control Plans are done in accordance with statutory (Flood Control Act of 1944) and regulatory requirements (Engineering Regulation (ER) 1110-2-240 and ER 1110-2-8156), and in compliance with NEPA and account for demographic, hydrologic, environmental, and technological changes that have occurred within the basins. The Water Resources Development Acts of 1988 and 1990 also provide for public involvement of all interested stakeholders during the development of new or revised Water Control Plans to reflect the current public interests within the basin.

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Q.6 How will the Corps involve the public in the Water Control Manual update?

A.6. Public participation in the planning and NEPA process promotes open communication between the public and the Corps and, consequently, better analysis and decision making. Public, agency, state and local community involvement is a critical, early, and continuing part of the Water Control Manual update process.

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Q.7 What are the communication goals for Public Involvement?

A.7. There is a heightened sense of awareness within the general public of the importance of water control plans because of the severity of the drought that has prevailed in this basin during 2007-2008 and its effect on people’s lives and livelihoods.

The following goals for public outreach and involvement for the Water Control Manual update process have been identified:

Increase awareness and understanding for the Water Control Plan process—its goals, limitations, purposes and integration with other basin operations (i.e. hydro power projects)
Provide timely information to the public regarding the Water Control Plan Team’s efforts
Provide and promote effective intra- and interagency communication at the local, state, and federal level
Provide extensive opportunities to involve public and stakeholder participation in the Water Control Plan update throughout the decision-making process

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Q.8 How will the information be assimilated among interested public?

A.8. A key component of this process will be a communications plan to outline the approach for transmitting information from the team to the public; receiving information from stakeholders and the public; informing the media, local governments, state, and federal partners; Congress and other important decision makers.

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Q.9 What tools of communication will be used to keep the public and stakeholders informed?

A.9.

Section 310 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1990 and the NEPA both require public involvement. The NEPA process allows the agency to conduct public scoping meetings to ascertain the interests of various publics and stakeholders as to their thoughts on what should be analyzed, reviewed, changed, or considered during the process. The public scoping meetings were conducted throughout the basin in an open house format to allow for full public participation, input, and understanding of the process and timelines.
Routine or professional coordination by Water Control Plan Project Delivery Team—Members of the team have long-time and effective working relationships established during normal water resource activities conducted by the Corps' Mobile District with stakeholders and state and federal agencies. The relationships have been fostered during the extreme drought conditions in the basin. The personal and professional relationships are important in maintaining an effective public and agency involvement status. This high level of professional trust must be maintained and strengthened in all Water Control Plan actions. Firsthand contact with local constituents will be pursued as a necessary and productive means of identifying needs and opportunities in the basin.
Outreach to communities, public officials, interested parties, governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations—The Water Control Plan team will provide briefings/updates as necessary to elected and appointed officials at all levels of government, stakeholder groups, community organizations and others. In addition, report-specific information will be provided to officials and government agencies in order to keep them informed and involved.
Web site—A Web site was established and maintained as a repository of Water Control Plan update information. This includes an overview of the process, actions and needs. It contains all press releases, fact sheets, or other informational items to meet the needs of the public and media to stay informed. As study elements are completed (i.e., hydrologic models, flood control analysis, pool level changes, and the like) they will be posted for public review/information.
PowerPoint Presentations—A Water Control Plan Update presentation will be developed for public speaking engagements. This presentation will be developed as a generic tool for Project Delivery Team members, Command personnel and Operations Project managers to use. Specific modules will be inserted as products are produced/analyzed for Command personnel presentations to elected officials or targeted interest groups. Electronic copies of the presentation along with suggested text will be distributed to all team members and other interested parties.
News Releases—All news releases will be issued by the Mobile District Public Affairs Office to ensure consistency and accuracy. These will include notices of public meetings, new postings to the Web site, and other information deemed necessary to keep the media apprised of activities and issues.
Exhibits and displays—A number of visual tools were used for public scoping engagements, public speaking forums and other venues. They were developed as part of the public outreach in both a large and small portable format to use as necessary at conferences, meetings, and other venues.

Implementing the public outreach and involvement plan for the Master Water Control Manual update required a team effort on multiple levels. Effective communication among federal, state, and local agencies, as well as stakeholder organizations, accomplished the outreach and involvement required to achieve the desired goal of updating the Water Control Plan in an open, inclusive environment.

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Q.10 What team from the Corps will provide the Master Water Control Manual?

A.10. The Corps has formed an interdisciplinary Project Delivery Team, in Mobile District to undertake the planning, analysis, and tasks necessary to develop an updated Master Water Control Manual for the ACT rivers system. A similar team will be formed for the ACT basin.

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