Challenges and opportunities for dam removal projects in Texas Lessons that can be learned from...
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Challenges and opportunities for dam removal projects in Texas Lessons that can be learned from other states Ryan McGillicuddy – Texas Parks and Wildlife
Challenges and opportunities for dam removal projects in Texas
Lessons that can be learned from other states Ryan McGillicuddy
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Stronach Dam, Fish in the Pine
River, MI
Slide 2
Background Nationwide: 75,000 dams listed on the National
Inventory of Dams Estimated 2.5 million nationwide Texas: Over 7500
dams listed on the National Inventory of Dams 1000s more
undocumented dams 74 dams failed in Texas between 1989 and
2009.
Slide 3
Benefits of Dams Water supply Hydropower Flood control
Navigation Recreational opportunities Starcke Dam, Marble Falls,
TX. 2007 Flood
Slide 4
Impacts of Dams Alter fish and wildlife habitats and natural
fluvial processes Alter the dynamic transport of water and sediment
Barrier to passage of nutrients and aquatic organisms Change water
temperatures Contaminated sediments Floodplain isolation and
reduced peak flows Shift from lotic to lentic habitat less suitable
for native species, increases generalist species and may decrease
diversity Aging infrastructure poses risk to property and safety.
Life expectancy of the average dam is 50 years. Average dam age in
the U.S. is 51 years. Many dams are now obsolete
Slide 5
Dam Removal: A New Option Once perceived as anti-progress
Increasingly accepted as an option for restoring waterways
Advancing science documenting effects of removal Successful
projects have brought visibility, provided positive examples Costs
are better understood: Wisconsin, repair 3X the cost of removal
Pennsylvania, average cost of $75,000 Nonetheless, a difficult
process requiring the coordination of multiple stakeholders and
regulatory agencies
Slide 6
According to American Rivers: Englewood Dam, Englewood, Oh
1,057 recorded dam removals in the US 593 since 1999 63 in 2012
Pennsylvania alone has removed ~275 since 1999, and ~50 since 2010
No recent removals in the Southwest
Slide 7
Questions How do state programs regulate dam removal and to
what extend do they assist in the process? What are the variables
that lead to success? What can Texas learn from these
successes?
Slide 8
Study Area Examined efforts in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New
Hampshire, and Texas. Mostly small and/or obsolete dams
Slide 9
Variables Reviewed Legal framework/Permitting process Agency
structure and interagency coordination Technical guidance provided
Availability of funding and/or financial assistance Public outreach
and stakeholder involvement
Slide 10
Successful PracticeStates that use this practiceComments
PartnershipsNH, PA, WI Partners may act as advocates where states
cannot and may be sources of additional funding. Helps to
distribute work load. Skilled Grant CoordinationNH, PA, WI
Essential for reducing costs to state and dam owners. Increases
number of successful projects. Consistent State FundingPA, WI
Directly assists dam owners and increases number of successful
projects. Multiple Guidance Documents AvailableNH, WI Provides
important information to dam owners and stakeholders. Assistance
with Project DesignPA, WIMay reduce project costs for dam owner.
Regular Interagency CoordinationNH, PA, WI Enables consistent
approach from state regulatory bodies, state fish and wildlife
agencies, federal agencies, historic commissions, etc. Active Dam
Safety ProgramNH, PA, WI Helps to identify potential projects. Can
acts as a form of outreach. Single Point of ContactNH, PA,
WISimplifies process for dam owner. Public Notice PeriodPA, WI
Required by law in states listed. May help to address stakeholder
concerns early in process. USACE State Programmatic General Permit
NH, PA, WI Satisfies federal Clean Water Act permitting
requirements. Single Permit ApplicationNH, PA, WI Simplifies
process for dam owner. A permit waiver in the case of PA.
Slide 11
Other considerations for Texas Geography: Surface water
Slide 12
Giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium carcinus) American Eel
(Anguilla rostrata) Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus
platorynchus) Paddlefish (Polydon spathula) Species with lifecycles
impacted by dams
Slide 13
Water Rights
Slide 14
Drought
Slide 15
Funding Grant TCEQ authority to levy fines for dam safety
violations. Increase funding for dam safety program, including
grants for dam owners with limited means. Fishing license surcharge
($1) for river restoration projects, including dam removal.
Approximately $2 million. All require legislative action.
Slide 16
Funding, contd Improved technical assistance from agencies
(project design, grant writing assistance, etc.) should lower cost.
Partnerships Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership Desert Fish
Habitat Partnership Guadalupe Bass Restoration Initiative Local
watershed groups Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) funds
USFWS Fish Passage Program
Slide 17
Fish Passage Program Ottine Dam removal project. San Marcos
River, Ottine, TX
Slide 18
Mitigation Banks Used to offset permitted impacts to waters of
the U.S. For-profit model Increasing number of stream restoration
banks in Texas Limitations: Small order streams Existing policy
does not favor in-channel restoration