LLPT Meeting Minutes
Meeting:
Project Name:
Date/Time:
Location:
Local Levee Partnership Team (LLPT) Meeting
East and West Bayard Levee Systems, Grant County, WV - LAMP
April 23, 2015
100 Mechanic Street
Everett, PA 15537
Presentation start time: 2:00 PM ET
Invitees: Town of Bayard, Grant County, USACE-Baltimore District
Attendees: Town of Bayard, Grant County, USACE-Baltimore District, FEMA, RAMPP
Why are we here?
 Mr. Bob Pierson began the meeting by explaining why we were here.
o To continue the discussion on FEMA’s Levee Analysis and Mapping Procedure (LAMP) for the nonaccredited levee in Bayard. Mr. Pierson reminded the meeting attendees that a previous meeting
was held on 9/12/13.
o Mr. Pierson explained that we would discuss the available data that has been collected, what other
data may be available, the completed natural valley analysis, and potential additional analyses and
mapping procedures for the Bayard levee.
LAMP Approach
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Mr. Pierson discussed the four main features of the new approach.
o Interactive Stakeholder Engagement Process (Local Levee Partnership Team - LLPT)
o Recognition of the Uncertainty Associated with Levee Systems
o Analysis of Levee Reaches
o More Robust Levee Analysis and Mapping Procedures
Mr. Pierson explained that ultimately the LAMP approach would lead to the development of new Flood
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports as well as other related products for
the communities impacted by the non-accredited levee.
Mr. Pierson went over a couple important definitions to remember including the difference between
certified, accredited, and non-accredited levee systems.
Mr. Pierson explained the requirements that must be met in order for LAMP to be initiated.
o The levee system is currently existing
o Structure was designed as a flood control structure
o An owner has been identified
o Structure is operated and maintained as a flood control structure
o Structure is hydraulically significant
Mr. Pierson explained the required coordination within the LLPT throughout the LAMP process.
Mr. Pierson briefly explained the various procedures potentially used in the LAMP process and how they
may be combined for a final composite mapping solution.
o The concept of possibly breaking up the levee into reaches and using different approaches to
analyze based on the conditions for the specific reaches was discussed.
Initial Data Analysis and Natural Valley Analysis
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Mr. Matt Dudley provided an overview of the initial data analysis and natural valley analysis performed to
date.
o The existing data that was collected was summarized.
 Buffalo Creek HEC-RAS hydraulic model from 2010 Freeboard and Overtopping Analysis.
 WVDEP LiDAR Topographic data
 RAMPP survey of the top and toe of levee as well as WV Route 90 (Front Street) (collected in
April, 2014)
 RAMPP Engineering Field Reconnaissance (performed in June, 2014)
o Mr. Dudley explained that a new hydrologic analysis was performed for this study.
 USGS Regression Equations.
 Gage weighting applied on North Branch Potomac River (~60 years of record).
 No gages available for Buffalo.
 It was noted there were no effective flows for comparison in this area.
o Mr. Dudley explained the approach taken in the hydraulic modeling.
o Mr. Dudley provided an overview of the mapping results.
 It was noted that there are freeboard deficiencies along the downstream portions of the
levees; however, this is caused by the flooding of the North Branch Potomac River, not
Buffalo Creek.
 Once beyond the backwater of the North Branch Potomac River, the levee has plenty of
freeboard and the natural valley mapping shows no impacts.
 The buildings and properties shown as within the floodplain will be mapped that way
regardless of the status of the levee. The flooding is due to the North Branch Potomac River
and the results of this analysis are improved over the FEMA effective Zone A which is
outdated.
Discussion of Results
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Some discussion of the results was held.
o The potential mapping scenarios including Zone AE and possible Zone D combinations was
discussed.
o Mayor Steven Durst of the Town of Bayard agreed that the buildings/properties shown as flooded in
the results do in fact flood.
o Moving forward with a mapping update to present the new mapping on regulatory products as Zone
AE was discussed as the likely next steps.
Additional Discussion Points
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Mayor Durst was concerned that Garrett County, MD had not been involved to date following the flood of
’85 that elevated the bed of the river which led to more extensive flooding in the area.
Ms. Ingrid Bauer of the Baltimore District-USACE explained that they would be performing their 1st level risk
assessment of the levee soon.
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Mr. Mark Geary explained that the mining companies discharged flow into Buffalo Creek that would not
have been accounted for in the hydrologic analysis. Upon further discussion, it was decided that the
additional flow was negligible compared to the calculated 1% annual chance flow.
Meeting end time: 3:30 PM ET