Institute Management Team Meeting
Monday, January 31, 2011
Attending: Mike Demissie, Tom Emerson, Deb Griest (representing Don McKay), Libby
Johnston, Manohar Kulkarni, Sally McConkey, Gary Miller, Bill Shilts, Steve Wald, Angie
Wisehart
1. Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping Program (CHAMP) – Water Survey
Sally McConkey gave an overview of CHAMP. Sally is the Program Manager of
CHAMP, which employs approximately 30 people. They are currently in the process of
hiring 3 additional engineers. The GIS Manager is Kingsley Allan. CHAMP consists of
the Hydrology and Hydraulic Projects section, the Mapping Projects section, the
HAZUS-MH Projects section, the Coordinated Needs Management Strategy (CNMS)
Projects section, and the Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) Delegation. CHAMPS has an
Outreach, Discovery and Post Processing section, 2 staff for Quality Assurance, a
Technical Writer, and a Web Page Administrator.
FEMA launched a 5-year Map Modernization Program in 2002. That program won’t
wrap up until sometime this year. Through the Map Modernization Program, FEMA was
able to provide 81 of 102 Illinois counties with Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
CHAMP produced maps for 75 of those 81 counties.
In 2004, a Cooperating Technical Partnership (CTP) agreement was put in place between
FEMA and IDNR (Office of Water Resources took the lead and the Water Survey
partnered with them). Once the Institute joined the University in 2008, the University
signed an agreement with FEMA, allowing the Water Survey to become a CTP. As a
CTP, the Water Survey will perform physical map revisions and large-scale studies of
watersheds. Studies provided by Cook, Lake, and Kane Counties will be incorporated in
the DFIRMs by CHAMP.
FY09 was a transition year for FEMA creating a new program: Risk MAP (Mapping,
Assessment Planning) Vision. Through this Vision, FEMA has funded several projects in
the Water Survey. FEMA is attempting to interact with the public more, delivering
quality data that increase public awareness and lead to action that reduces risk to life and
property.
Current projects CHAMP is working on:
 Complete Map Mod DFIRM production and adoption
 Hydrologic analyses of Rock and Pecatonica Rivers in Illinois & tributaries in
Winnebago County Hydraulic analyses and DFIRM updates for Cook County
 Coordinating an incorporating H&H flood studies conducted by Cook, DuPage,
Kane and Lake Counties (Physical Map Revisions)
 Partnering with U of I Extension for community outreach on flood issues: Lower
Fox, Sangamon, Saline, Middle and Lower Wabash
 FEMA delegation of engineering review for Illinois flood map changes
 Partner with IDNR/OWR on statewide inventory of flood studies
 Ongoing partnership with FEMA for DFIRM updates and public outreach
The CNMS Projects section maintains a database to store information about where flood
studies and maps need correcting or updating.
FEMA accepted the Water Survey into the LOMR Delegation. There are only 3 states
that have delegations. They provide technical reviews of regulatory maps for FEMA,
working with consulting engineers across the state.
Bill asked Sally how all of this will be used for insurance purposes and what FEMA’s
role is. Sally indicated that all of this information can be used to help reduce loss due to
flooding. They’re trying to stop the cycle of damage by creating these maps and creating
this new vision. Steve asked if they look at historical floods and use those as factors.
Sally indicated that FEMA will show existing conditions on maps and will even display
future conditions, but this is not done in response to climate change. They do have the
baseline line information to build models. Mike added that more and more studies are
being done on risk assessment.
Bill asked if Sally’s group did anything with regards to urban flooding. Sally indicated
that they do not in typical floodplain situations, but in Chicago new watershed studies are
happening. She also indicated that the lines can be fuzzy between stormwater
management and floodplain management.
Gary asked if counties and local communities are changing their zoning and ordinances
based on these maps. Sally indicated that they have to adopt a floodplain map and
floodplain ordinance to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Gary also asked if the USGS uses the FEMA maps. Mike indicated that their programs do
not.
Bill asked how much does Sally’s group get involved in the regulatory part. Sally replied
that they only provide the scientific tools. Mike replied that they have no regulatory
authority, only FEMA and local authorities have regulatory authority.
Bill asked if any prehistoric information, such as tree ring studies, goes into creating the
maps, and Sally replied that none does.
Mike added CHAMP would not be possible without Sally’s hard work and consistency.
She really took charge to work with FEMA.
2. IBNRS Structure
Bill reported that the details on the new Chair structure of the Board are still being
worked on.
3. Communications Director Update
Libby reported that the final recommendations for the new logo will be shown to Bill,
Gary and Steve. Logo and identity use guidelines will be created.
Libby reported that she plans to send out the monthly update to the IBNRS members later
this week.
Libby indicated that she hopes the email from Bill to all staff announcing the name
change helps people understand the timing and the steps that are being taken. Libby is
working on a list of things to do. The first thing to think about is when the name change
will be rolled out. The tentative date is March 16. The changes may take place until after
the Expo to avoid confusion. There is a plan to mention the name change at the INRS
exhibit table at the Expo.*
*Since this meeting, a ‘glitch’ has come up in the formal approval process, and the roll
out will probably be delayed until the end of March.
4. Water Survey Update
Mike reported that he attended a Nature Conservancy meeting at Dixon Mounds last
week. He talked there briefly about what the Water Survey did and future research. He
noted that many members of the INHS staff were there, also. Tom added that people are
trying to ‘reinvent’ Dixon Mounds to keep it going. It doesn’t receive a lot of visitors.
Mike said that they are going to build a platform for site-seeing, hoping to attract more
visitors.
5. Geological Survey Update
Deb reported Don McKay and Dick Berg are in Washington, DC making congressional
visits.
6. ISTC Update
Manohar reported that he travelled to the Oak Brook office last week. He also reported
that this week ISTC staff are reviewing about 30 proposals submitted for their Sponsored
Research Program. He is scheduled to meet with a group from IEPA tomorrow, but he is
not sure that will happen because of the weather.
7. Chemical Engineering Visitor to Management Team Meeting
Gary reported that the Head of Chemical Engineering, Ed Seebauer, will be attending the
Management Team meeting next week. Topics that might be discussed are: areas of
potential research collaboration, Professional Master’s Degrees, and diversity in student
development. Bill added that Chemical Engineering is not part of the College of
Engineering; they are located in LAS.
8. University of Oklahoma Water Survey
In case everyone had not seen the announcement forwarded by Bill, the University of
Oklahoma announced the creation of a new Water Survey. Paul Risser, former Chief of
the Illinois Natural History Survey, will act as Interim Director.