The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District conducts semi-annual Stakeholder Partnering Forums with non-federal sponsors, customers and agency partners to collaborate on best practices regarding programs ranging from ecosystem restoration to flood risk management, maintaining and improving Texas coastal navigation systems, and regulatory oversight of U.S. waters at its Galveston headquarters. 

These events help  identify opportunities to better support  stakeholder commitments and emerging interests for Planning Studies, Preconstruction, Engineering and Design, Construction, Operations and Maintenance.

The forum serves as an  opportunity for non-federal sponsors, customers and agency partners from along the Texas coast to network and exchange ideas on ways the Galveston District is able to improve value delivery to the nation across civil works and regulatory business lines.

  U.S. Army Crops of Engineers Commonly Used Acronyms  and Abbreviations in the Planning Community Practice 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 23 – 24, 2022
USACE, Galveston District (SWG)
Virtual Winter 2022 Portfolio Review and Stakeholder Partnering Forum (SPF)

Theme: “Environmental and social justice: integral to comprehensive coastal resiliency”

The Bi-Annual SPF will be held on February 24^th, 2022.  There will be Speakers and a panel discussion from USACE, Industry, Academics, and Government representatives.  This is a day for highlighting our joint commitment to addressing environmental and social Justice through the Navigation, Flood Risk Management, and Ecosystem Restoration Business lines.  We look forward to seeing you there online. 

Registration:
The tickets for the Project Portfolio Review can be accessed here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/247481944157
The tickets for the Stakeholder Partnering Forum can be found here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/247579686507

Audience:
Please Join Virtually with the following Webex link:

https://usace1.webex.com/meet/StrategicEngagements

Join by phone

+1-844-800-2712 US Toll Free

+1-669-234-1177 US Toll

Access code: 1996 98 5964

USACE, SWG Stakeholder Partnering Forum Website Link (event registration, agenda, hotel information, and presentation downloads): https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/About/Partners/Stakeholder-Partnering-Forum/

Speakers: Texas A&M University Galveston, Building 3035, room 205

TAMU-G Campus Map and Directions for event parking and building locations: http://www.tamug.edu/directions.html

Please use visitor parking in Lots M200 and M201. Pay parking fee (roughly $11 – $14 for the day) from the downloadable Parkmobile App (Parking Zone #7733), or call 877-727-5953, or at parking lot kiosks in parking areas N305 or M201.

Food options:  There is a coffee shop on the first floor of the Forum building (3035), and a cafeteria across the quad is available for lunch.

Attire: Business Casual

Event timeline is in Central Time (CST)

Agenda (Click here to print out the Agenda)

Day 1: WED 23 FEB 2021

Full Agenda

AGENDA - Galveston District Review                                                                  

8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks -  Col. Vail Timothy/Byron Williams     
8:35 Operations and Maintenance - Chris Frabotta

MEGA PROJECT DIVISON - 9:05
Coastal Texas (GI) - Kelly Burks-Copes               

Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay (S2G)

• Orange - Enrique Villagomez
•  Port Arthur  - Toniette Addison
• Freeport  - Toniette Addison

FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECTS - 9:50 a.m.                                                              
Addicks & Barker Dam Safety (C)  - Andrew Weber                     

Buffalo Bayou & Tributaries Resiliency (GI) - Andrew Weber

Clear Creek (C - 1043)  - Shakhar Misir

Harris County Flood Control District (C – 211(f))

• Brays  Bayou - Shakhar Misir
• Hunting Bayou                                                         
• White Oak Bayou                                                     

Greens Bayou (C)  - Shakhar Misir                                                      

ECO RESTORATION / STORM DAMAGE REDUCTION                                         
Resacas (PED)  - Reuben Trevino                   

Jefferson County (GI)  - Orlando Ramos-Gines

DEEP-DRAFT NAVIGATION  - 10:50 a.m.                                                                                               

Corpus Christi Ship Channel (C)  - Carlos Tate                            

Freeport (C) -  Carlos Tate

Houston Ship Channel (C) -  Harmon Brown

Galveston Channel Extension (PED)  - Gretchen Brown

Matagorda Ship Channel (PED) -  Franchelle Nealy

Sabine Neches Waterway (C) -  Franchelle Nealy                              

SHALLOW-DRAFT NAVIGATION - 11:25 a.m.
Chocolate Bayou (C)  -  Shakhar Misir                      

Cedar Bayou (C)  - Lisa McCraken Mairs                     

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) –

            High Island to Brazos River (PED) - Lisa McCraken Mairs

GIWW Coastal Resilience Study (GI) - Gretchen Brown

GIWW – Brazos River Floodgates &

            Colorado River Locks (PED)  - Orlando Ramos-Gines

Brazos Island Harbor (PED)  - Orlando Ramos-Gines

CONTINUING AUTHORITY PROGRAM (CAP) &

PLANNING ASSISTANCE TO STATES (PAS) PROJECTS

CAP/PAS Overview - Reuben Trevino                   

Hickory Cove - Gretchen Brown 

Harlingen Section 107 - Harmon Brown

City of Columbus - Orlando Ramos-Gines

ADJOURN - 12:00
Byron Williams  and Col. Timothy Vail                                                                                                            

Day 2: THU 24 FEB 2022

7:35 – 7:40 a.m.: Call to order and event orientation.  Byron Williams, Deputy District Engineer, Programs and Project Management, USACE–SWG

7:40 – 8:40 a.m.: Click Here for Video - Early Bird special topic seminar: “Ethics Topics: Gifts and Conflicts of Interest,” James Purcell, Assistant District Counsel, USACE-SWG

8:40 - 9:00 a.m.:  Speaker check-in and networking coffee social (Bldg. 3035, Upstairs Foyer)

9:00 – 9:05 a.m.:  Stakeholder Welcome, Byron Williams, Deputy District Engineer, Programs and Project Management, USACE-SWG (Bldg. 3035, Rm 205). Restroom locations, emergency exits, Covid19 protocols.

9:05 - 9:20 a.m.: Click Here for Video Opening Remarks, Col. Timothy Vail, Commander, USACE-SWG

9:20 – 9:35 a.m.: Industry Brief, Shamekia Chapman, Chief of Contracting, USACE-SWG

9:35 – 9:55 a.m.: Click Here for Video “Justice for whom? Insights from Texas coastal populations, people, and politics,” Dr. Ashley Ross, Assistant Professor, Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Sciences, Texas A&M University at Galveston

9:55 – 10:15 a.m.: "Environmental Justice and Project Integration,"  Gloria Vaughn, Associate Director for Environmental Justice, U.S. Environment Protection Agency 6 Office of Communities, Tribes and Environmental Assessment 

10:15 – 10:30 Short Break

10:30 – 10:50 a.m.:  Click Here for Video  “Recent Achievements, Current Status, future outlook of SWG Civil Works Program, with Focus on the Status of WRDA/IIJA,” Nick Laskowski, Chief, Programs Branch, USACE-SWG

10:50 – 11:10 a.m.:  Click Here for Video  "Reimaging the Energy Corridor," Elijah Williams, Executive Director, Texas Energy Corridor District 

11:10 – 11:30 a.m.: “Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study:  Employing the Comprehensive Benefits Framework," Scott Elmer, Assistant Director of Operations, Harris County Flood Control District, Andrew Weber, Deputy Branch Chief, Project Management, USACE-SWG and Ross Gordon, Owner and Principal Consultant for Gordon Consulting Group, LLC;

11:30 - 11:50 a.m.: Click Here for Video  "Coastal Texas Linking Flood Protection to Social Vulnerability," Tony Williams, Deputy Director of Coastal Field Operations,  Texas General Land Office and Dr. Kelly Burkes-Copes, Chief of Program Support Branch, Mega Projects Division, USACE-SWG

11:50 - 12:10 p.m.:  TBD

12:10 – 1:30 p.m.:  Lunch, Campus Cafeteria available across the quad

1:30 - 1:50 p.m.:  Click Here for Video "Flood Resiliency and Mitigation: An Update from Washington,"  Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, U.S. House of Representatives, Texas District 7

1:50 - 2:10 p.m.: Click Here for Video “Environmental Leadership in Action at the Port of Corpus Christi,” Jeff Pollack, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Port of Corpus Christi Authority

2:10 - 2:30 p.m.: Click Here for Video “Port of Houston’s Sustainability Action Plan,” Rich Byrnes, Chief Infrastructure Officer, Port of Houston Authority

2:30 - 2:50 p.m.: Click Here for Video  “Life, Liberty, & The Pursuit of Happiness,” Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Project, Nicole Sunstrum, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Protection District, Michael Braden, P.E., P.M.P., C.C.E., Chief, Mega Project Division, USACE-SWG

2:50 – 3:10 p.m.: Short Break

3:10 – 3:30 p.m.: Click Here for Video  “Matagorda Ship Channel:  Planning and Development for the Future Growth of Calhoun and the Mid-Texas Coast,” Charles Hausmann, Port Director, Calhoun Port Authority; Franchelle Nealy, Project Manager, USACE-SWG

3:30 - 3:50 p.m.: Click Here for Video "Environmental and Social Justice; Advocating for the Nueces County Communities," Judge Barbara Canales, Judge, Neuces County 

3:50 - 4:30 p.m. Panel Discussion, Lower Rio Grande Valley Commissioners

Moderator:

Major O’Sullivan, Deputy Commander, USACE-SWG

Opening Presentation:

David Garza, Commissioner, Cameron County Pct 3

Click Here for Video - Panel Discussion:   

David Garza, Commissioner, Cameron County Pct 3

David Fuentes, Commissioner, Hidalgo County Pct 1

            Eduardo Gonzalez, Commissioner, Willacy County Pct 4

Col. Timothy Vail, Commander, USACE-SWG

4:30 - 5:00 p.m. :  Click Here for Video Keynote Speaker, "Modernizing Civil Works Programs to better serve the needs of disadvantaged communities," Robyn Colosimo, P.E., Director, Policy and Legislation, Office of the Assistance Secretary of the Army got Civil Works 

4:50-5:00 p.m.: Click Here for Video  Byron Williams, Closing Remarks, Theme for August 2022 Stakeholder Partnering Forum

Comment Cards: Thank you for taking the time to participate in this forum evaluation. Your comments will enable us to better plan and execute future forums and tailor them to meet your needs. 

Self-Assessment Record of Participations – Professional Development Hours (PDHs): 

 

Aug 10 - 11, 2021
USACE, Galveston District (SWG)
All Virtual Summer 2021 Portfolio Review and Stakeholder Partnering Forum (SPF)
Theme: “Collaborating for Coastal Resiliency”

The Bi-Annual SPF will be held on 11 August 2021. There will be early bird special topic ethics seminars, followed by a series of plenary sessions. Participation is a fantastic way to keep abreast of progress and next steps for the portfolio of Civil Works at SWG across the Navigation, Flood Risk Management, and Ecosystem Restoration Business Lines.

COVID Guideline: All individuals attending in person are always encouraged to wear their masks or social distance. All non-vaccinated personnel should continue to follow applicable CDC mask guidance, including continuing to wear masks while indoors. Follow the guidance of the local communities but in general it is good practice to wear your mask if you are not fully vaccinated, which is in line with current CDC guidance. If you are not feeling well, you are encouraged not to travel or attend the in-person event.

REGISTRATION:  
Closed

AGENDA:

Agenda Available to DOWNLOAD HERE

Virtual Option: https://usace1.webex.com/meet/StrategicEngagements
Access code: 1996985964
Or, Join by phone
+1-844-800-2712 US Toll Free
+1-669-234-1177 US Toll
Access code: 199 698 5964

Event timeline is in Central Time (CST)

Day 1: TUE 10 AUG 2021
1-4 p.m.: USACE Galveston District (SWG) Portfolio Review

Day 2: WED 11 AUG 2021
09:00 - 10:00 a.m.: Early bird ethics seminar, Government ethics in the workplace: Contractor interactions, James Purcell, USACE, SWG.
10:00 - 10:05 a.m.: Call to order and event orientation.
10:05 - 10:10 a.m.: Welcome and Remarks, Introduce COL Vail, Byron Williams, Deputy District Engineer, Programs and Project Management, USACE Galveston District.
10:10 - 1020 a.m.: Stakeholder Welcome and Opening Remarks, Introduce BG Christopher Beck, COL Timothy Vail Commander, USACE Galveston District.
10:20 - 10:40 a.m.: Southwestern Division Civil Works Strategic Plan, BG Christopher G. Beck Commander & Division Engineer.
10:40 - 10:45 a.m.: Congresswoman Fletcher video address
10:45 - 10:55 a.m.: “Update of the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan.”  Joshua Oyer Coastal Planner, Texas General Land Office.
10:55 - 11:15 a.m.: “Making the Texas Coast More Resilient” Amanda Fuller Director, Texas Coast and Water Program, National Wildlife Federation.
11:15 - 11:40 a.m.: “How we are making regional decisions to the Texas FRM problems.” Coraggio Maglio Lead USACE H&H Engineering, Caroline McCabe USACE RPEC, Morgan White, Team Lead, TWDB Regional Flood Planning.
11:45 - 12:10 p.m.: “TIFF and Treats: the Texas Integrated Flooding Framework and Other Inter-Agency Collaborations.”, Dr. Amin Kiaghadi, Texas Water Development Board.

12:10 - 1:20 p.m.  Lunch

1:20-1:45 p.m.: “How to build momentum toward a new start study” Reuben Trevino, Galveston District Project Manager.
1:45-2:00 p.m.: Keynote Speaker: Congressman Filemon Vela
2:00-2:15 p.m.: “Sediment Management Partnerships and Source Investigations on the Texas Coast.” Coraggio Maglio Lead USACE H&H Engineering, USACE Operations Division and Texas General Land Office.
2:15-3:00 p.m.: “Coastal TX Study: Where Are We Now?” Galveston District Project Manager, Kelly Burks-Copes, Ph.D.
3:00-3:15 p.m.: “Sand Resources in the Drowned Trinity River Valley Offshore Galveston: A Systems Approach" Chris Lowery, Research Associate at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics.
3:15-3:45 p.m.: “GIWW Coastal Resiliency Study” Patrick Kerr, Galveston District Coastal Section Chief, H&H Branch.
3:45-4:15 p.m.: “Advanced In-Situ Hydraulic Profiler for Optimized Design of Flood Control Structures.” Rai Mehdiratta, Ph.D., PE Fugro USA Land, Inc.
4:15-4:35 p.m.: Panel
4:35-4:45 p.m.: COL Timothy Vail Delivers Closing Remarks.

COMMENT CARDS:
Download Comment Card Here.  In addition, we will be emailing a request for comments directly to participants this year.

SELF-ASSESSMENT RECORD OF PARTICIPATION - Professional Development Hours (PDHs):
Download Self-Assessment Record of Participation 

 

Feb 10 - 11, 2021
USACE, Galveston District (SWG)
Virtual Winter 2021 External Project Review Board (EPRB) Partnering Forum and Stakeholder Partnering Forum (SPF)

Theme: “Building Stronger Relationships to Build a More Resilient Texas Coast"

REGISTRATION

 

 

 

 

 

REGISTER HERE - NOW CLOSED

AGENDA 

Event timeline is in Central Time (CST)
SPF - Print Agenda
EPRB - Print Agenda

Day 1: WED, FEB 10, 2021

8:30 a.m. - noon
Texas Emerging Ports Forum (Ports Only)

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
USACE Galveston District (SWG) EPRB
Galveston District Operations Projects

Day 2: THU,  FEB 11, 2021

10:00 - 10:05 a.m.
Call to order and event orientation. Ron Wooten, Outreach Specialist, USACE-SWG Executive Office

10:05 -10:10 a.m.
The USACE Mission Video                                           





10:10 - 1025 a.m.: Welcome and Remarks, Introduce COL Timothy Vail, Byron Williams, Acting Deputy District Engineer, Programs and Project Management, USACE-SWG

  
10:25 - 10:35 a.m.: Stakeholder Welcome and Opening Remarks - “The Galveston District Through Time; A Look a  the Past, Present, and Future,”   COL Timothy Vail, Commander, USACE-SWG


10:35 - 10:50 a.m.: “The City of Galveston and the Galveston District; A Seawall and Relationship, Standing the Test of Time,” Mayor Craig Brown, Mayor, City of Galveston

         
10:50 - 11:10 a.m.: “Galveston District Emergency Operations Center; An Overview of Emergency Operations and the Silver Jacket Program Opportunities,” Alicia Rea, Director of Emergency Management and Security; Ryan Schwartzengraber, Emergency Management Specialist, USACE-SWG Emergency Management Operations

    
11:10 - 11:30 a.m.: “How We Can Work Together to Build Resiliency,” Patricia Anslow, Chief of Planning and Policy, USACE-SWD
RPEC and the Evolution of Project Planning in SWG, from a Seawall to a Coastal Spine; Brian Harper, Chief Civil Planning, SWD-RPEC


11:30 - 11:50 a.m.: “Working Within the Federal Programs,” Sean Strawbridge, Chief
Executive Officer, Port of Corpus Christi Authority


11:50 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.: “The SWG Regulatory Program,”  Joe McMahan, Division Chief,
USACE-SWG Regulatory Division

12:10 - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch

    
1:00 - 1:20 p.m.: “SWG Real Estate Program - Smart Sheets and Real Estate
Applications in Projects,” Kelsey Ciarrocca, Cartographer; David Mairs, Realty Specialist, USACE-SWG Real Estate Division

1:20 - 1:40 p.m.: “The Importance of Co-operative Agreements in Successfully Working to Build Resiliency,”  Tony Williams, Senior Director of Planning-Coastal Resources, Texas General Land Office

1:40 - 2:00 p.m.: “Building Economic Resiliency Through Port Improvements,”   Phyllis Saathoff, President, Texas Ports Association/ Executive Director and CEO, Port Freeport

2:00 - 2:20 p.m.: “Small Business Contracts and the Galveston District: How to Do Business with SWG,”   Jeff Neill, Division Chief, USACE-SWG Contracting Division

2:20 - 2:30 p.m.: Break (SWG District Video)

2:30 - 2:50 p.m.: “USACE Collaboration with the Texas General Land Office; Community Development and Revitalization Program (GLO-CDR) and partnership with the Texas Water Development Board,” Coraggio Maglio, Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch Chief, USAE-SWG Engineering and Construction Division

2:50 - 3:10 p.m.: Keynote Speaker: "A Perspective on Coastal Resiliency" from the Texas House of Representatives, Representative Dennis Paul, District 129, House of Representatives, State of Texas

        
3:10 - 3:30 p.m.: “Houston Stronger- A Buffalo Bayou Committee Plan”, Mary Anne Piacentini, President and Chief Executive Officer, Katy Prairie Conservancy, Houston Stronger; Auggie Campbell, Chairman, Houston Stronger/Executive Director, Association of Water Board Directors-Texas; David Lowe, BGE Shareholder Lead, Houston Stronger

3:30 - 3:50 p.m.: “A Historical Look at the Galveston District Operations and Navigation Division; Partnering with Us to Build Coastal Resiliency,” Chris Frabotta, Division Chief, USACE-SWG Operations and Navigation Division

3:50 - 4:10 p.m.: Galveston Island Park Board, “Building Resiliency Through Partnerships: Case Studies-Babe’s Beach,” Kimberly Danesi, Chief Operations Officer, Galveston Island Parks Board of Trustees

4:10 - 4:30 p.m.: Galveston Bay Foundation, “Building Resiliency Through Partnerships: Case Studies -Pierce Wetland Restoration,” Bob Stokes, President, Galveston Bay Foundation

4:30 - 4:50 p.m.: Ducks Unlimited, “Building Resiliency Through Partnerships: Case Studies -A Look at Past, Present and Future Wetland Restoration Partnerships,” Todd Merendino, Manager of Conservation Programs, Ducks Unlimited

4:50 - 5:00 p.m.: COL Timothy Vail Delivers Closing Remarks

5:00 - 5:05 p.m.
SWG District Video

Comment Cards

We will be emailing a request for comments directly to participants this year.

Self-Assessed Record of Participation - Professional Development Hours (PDHs)

Self-Assessment Record of Participation 

About this Event

In the afternoon of 10 February 2021, we will hold our EPRB. This is a review of active District studies and projects, with an opportunity to receive information and interact on current status, issues, and management actions being advanced to deliver on commitments. Here, we acknowledge our valued Non-Federal Sponsors and invite them to comment on the progress of our partnered work.

The Bi-Annual SPF will be held on 11 February 2021. There will be early bird special topic seminars, followed by a series of plenary sessions. Participation is a great way to keep abreast of progress and next steps for the portfolio of Civil Works and Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 studies/projects at SWG across the Navigation, Flood Risk Management, and Ecosystem Restoration Business Lines.