Event Title

Concurrent Sessions A: Dam Removal I - Cost-Effective Dam Removal : Lessons On Project Scoping and In-House Work in North Carolina

Location

Construction & Engineering Hall, Oregon State University

Start Date

25-6-2013 11:20 AM

End Date

25-6-2013 11:40 AM

Description

With diminishing funds for conservation and restoration, identifying ways to save money on projects, while still meeting ecological goals, is key. Dam removal is often seen as a high cost activity. However, two factors can help substantially reduce costs and in fact make dam removal a particularly cost-effective (and ecologically effective) form of stream and fish passage restoration: 1) appropriately matching the project’s scope to its level of complexity, and 2) completing some or all of the scientific/engineering work in-house through partner teams. This talk will draw lessons from four dam removal case studies in the Pee Dee River basin in North Carolina: two completed in 2012, and two now in planning and design. We will discuss the scope of work of these projects in terms of planning, design, permitting and construction and how each was matched to project complexity. We will also discuss the unique role the partner team, led by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and American Rivers, played by doing all phases of the work in-house without consulting or contractor assistance. We estimate that the two dams removed in 2012 realized up to a 400% cost savings relative to completion by traditional means, while meeting ecological goals.

Comments

Lynnette Batt joined American Rivers in 2009 and works out of their Durham, NC office. She has a background in biology and aquatic ecology. She coordinates partner teams and provides project management and technical assistance to dozens of dam and other stream barrier removal projects throughout NC, SC and the Southeast. She also coordinates the region's American Rivers-NOAA Community-based Restoration Partnership grant program, and conducts technical project manager trainings. Prior to joining AR, Lynnette worked as an environmental planning consultant. She also worked with the North Carolina Coastal Federation on coastal planning and policy issues. Lynnette holds a B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College, and a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) from Duke University.

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Jun 25th, 11:20 AM Jun 25th, 11:40 AM

Concurrent Sessions A: Dam Removal I - Cost-Effective Dam Removal : Lessons On Project Scoping and In-House Work in North Carolina

Construction & Engineering Hall, Oregon State University

With diminishing funds for conservation and restoration, identifying ways to save money on projects, while still meeting ecological goals, is key. Dam removal is often seen as a high cost activity. However, two factors can help substantially reduce costs and in fact make dam removal a particularly cost-effective (and ecologically effective) form of stream and fish passage restoration: 1) appropriately matching the project’s scope to its level of complexity, and 2) completing some or all of the scientific/engineering work in-house through partner teams. This talk will draw lessons from four dam removal case studies in the Pee Dee River basin in North Carolina: two completed in 2012, and two now in planning and design. We will discuss the scope of work of these projects in terms of planning, design, permitting and construction and how each was matched to project complexity. We will also discuss the unique role the partner team, led by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and American Rivers, played by doing all phases of the work in-house without consulting or contractor assistance. We estimate that the two dams removed in 2012 realized up to a 400% cost savings relative to completion by traditional means, while meeting ecological goals.