JEFuller-SOQ-BPM003384.pdf

P a g e | 1 www. jefuller.com

Tempe, AZ Tucson, AZ Flagstaff, AZ Prescott, AZ Silver City, NM

4/30/2021

Elizabeth Burgard Sr. Procurement Specialist Arizona Game and Fish Department Purchasing Office 5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086

RE: Statement of Qualifications Professional Services for Engineering Hydrology Services – Solicitation Number BPM003384

Dear Ms. Burgard:

JE Fuller/ Hydrology & Geomorphology, Inc. (an Arizona S-Corporation) is pleased to present the attached Statement of Qualifications in response to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Professional Services for Engineering Hydrology Services Request for Proposals (Solicitation Number BPM003384).

JE Fuller/ Hydrology & Geomorphology, Inc. (JEF) is recognized throughout Arizona as a leader in drainage and flood control related civil engineering. If selected, we would consider it an honor to be able to continue to support the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department using our time and talents. Our project team is eager to exceed your expectations for quality, value, communication, flexibility, and schedule.

Collectively, our engineers and technicians have more than 400 years of combined Civil Engineering experience with expertise in the fields of Dam Engineering and Safety, ALERT/Flood Warning Systems, Drainage Infrastructure Design and Master Planning, Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling, Floodplain Management, and Applied Fluvial Geomorphology.

As you will see from our attached Statement of Qualifications, our firm’s previous experience with the Department’s Dams, Facilities and ALERT System gives us an in-depth understanding of the Department’s needs and expectations.

JEF has committed its key personnel to assure that we exceed the Department’s expectations. I will ensure that the right personnel and resources are available to serve the Department’s needs. Jeff Despain will serve as the Project Manager and primary point of contact for design services while I will be the overall point of contact and the point of contact for ALERT Systems and Dam Safety work. We look forward to serving the Arizona Game and Fish Department and building a lasting relationship based on excellence, trust, and service.

Sincerely, JE Fuller/ Hydrology & Geomorphology, Inc.

Brian R. Iserman, PE, CFM Vice President Email: brian@jefuller.com Phone: 480.222.5713

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Professional Services for Engineering Hydrology Services Solicitation Number BPM003384

Statement of Qualifications

Submitted by:

JE Fuller/Hydrology & Geomorphology, Inc.

April 30, 2021

Parker Canyon Dam 4/5/2021

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 1

Cluff Ranch Reservoir 3 Dam near Safford, Arizona

EXPERIENCE / EXPERTISE / RELIABILITY

OUR COMPANY AND PEOPLE

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Professional Services for Engineering Hydrology Service scope of work requires a multi-disciplinary team to support the department’s boating facilities and dam program design and engineering needs. JE Fuller/Hydrology & Geomorphology, Inc. has the team of experts with the intimate knowledge of and the hands-on experience with the Department’s boating facilities and dams to give the support needed to help plan, design, build and maintain the infrastructure that supports these important programs.

General Description of the Firm

JE Fuller/Hydrology & Geomorphology, Inc. (JEF) is an Arizona company that has been providing the following specialized design and engineering hydrology services to Arizona agencies for 20 years:

• ALERT Systems

• Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analyses

• Dam Engineering

• Fluvial Geomorphology

• Drainage and Flood Control Design

JEF has the in-house team of recognized experts with exceptional qualifications and unparalleled experience in these disciplines.

Our in-house technical team consists of

• 19 registered Civil Engineers (PE)

• 3 CAD Designers

• 2 Environmental Biology/NEPA Specialists

• 1 GISP (GIS Professional)

• 2 Registered Geologists (PG), and

• 1 Meteorologist.

All JEF professionals specialize in arid region hydrology, hydraulics, flood hazard mitigation, and drainage master planning and design. We are continually called upon to solve the most challenging drainage issues throughout the Southwest. JEF’s size and specialization translate into significant advantages for the Department, including the following:

• Expertise. We are recognized experts in our core discipline areas. Our clients rely on our expertise to solve their most complex technical and unique interdisciplinary problems.

• Insight. Our experience and training allow us to transcend simple problem analysis. JEF team members are top-notch project managers and effective communicators.

• Trust. We serve as trusted advisors to our clients. We help our clients solve their current problems and head off future issues before they become problems.

• Personal Service. JEF’s management structure results in flexible, responsive, and personalized services to our clients.

• Value. We deliver high quality work products for reasonable professional fees. Our clients receive a value-added return on their investment.

• Quality Assurance. We integrate ideas and projects across all professional levels and backgrounds. We seek to develop long-term relationships based on excellence and exceeding client expectations.

Personnel Qualifications and Study Roles

JEF’s Dam Safety and ALERT Systems Group has many years of experience working together on projects in the Southwest. Each member of our team has a variety of analytical and hands-on skills that give the overall team flexibility and strength. Many people are surprised by the skill sets that each team member possesses.

One of our team’s many strengths is our ability to mix and match team members to the required tasks of each project. And, because of the depth of our team and the variety of Arizona office locations, each task will be assigned the team members that have the skill combinations and geographic location to keep costs low.

Because of the unique demands of Dam Engineering and ALERT Systems work, our clients call on us to accomplish the specialized and difficult tasks that most other firms are not able or willing to take on. Our motivated and experienced team of planning, design and technical professionals will work hard to provide the Department with top quality work products, efficient work plan delivery, and responsive service because we hate it when things are not done for lack of creativity and effort. Following is a brief description of the personnel who will be available to complete assigned task orders (detailed resumes are attached):

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 2

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Brian Iserman, PE, CFM Project Principle Years with JEF: 24 Location: Tempe, Arizona

Brian has over 34 years of experience serving both public and private sector clients on numerous small- and large-scale projects including ALERT system design, installation, operations, maintenance, and planning, and dam safety engineering, including operations and maintenance planning, dam safety evaluation, inundation studies and emergency action planning. Brian leads the JEF Dam Safety and Flood Warning Group and has been working directly with the Department and its contractors and consultants since 2005 to plan, design and implement the Department’s Flood Detection System and to integrate it with the Arizona Statewide Flood Warning System.

Jeff Despain, PE Project Engineer Years with JEF: 19 Location: Tempe, Arizona

Jeff has been part of the JEF Dam Safety and ALERT Systems Group since 2007 and has been involved with design and implementation of ALERT systems and dam safety. Jeff’s specialty part of the team includes management of all aspects of planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of improvements to gates, valves, and actuators at Department lakes. Jeff’s experience includes design of flood control structures, floodplain studies and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling. Jeff is also an experienced AutoCAD and ArcGIS user and is a hands-on member of the Dam Safety Group, participating in ALERT station installations and maintenance.

TECHNICAL TEAM – Lead Members

Brian and Jeff will be supported by a talented and resourceful in-house team of engineers and technicians who are as at home in the office performing design and analysis as they are in the field or in our clients’ offices and server rooms, on their towers, or supervising contractors.

Tyler Azeltine Lead Hydrologic Technician/Hydrographer Years with JEF: 9 Location: Tempe, Arizona

Tyler has been part of JEF’s Dam Safety and

ALERT Systems Group since 2011 and has been involved with design and implementation of ALERT systems, and implementation of dam safety improvements. Tyler’s specialty part of the team includes all aspects of planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining remote ALERT telemetry stations, including permitting with federal, state, and local agencies, FCC license approval and coordination with cooperating ALERT system administrators, electronic sensor setup, testing and calibration, streamflow calibration measurements and hydrographic survey.

Tyler has intimate knowledge of all aspects of the Department’s Lakes ALERT System and hatchery monitoring operations and attendant infrastructure. Additionally, Tyler coordinates closely with Department hatchery managers to keep equipment calibrated and running reliably to support hatchery operations.

Role: As Project Principal, Brian will help coordinate project task assignments and will be the primary contact with the Department.

He will provide oversight for the preparation and quality control of project deliverables.

Specialized Skills:

• Hydrology/Hydraulics for

Dam Safety

• Engineering Design

• ALERT Systems

• Welding/Fabrication

• Electronics/Instrumentation

• LAN and WAN Systems

Design

• OSHA Certified for Tower

Climb & Rescue

• MSHA Safety Certified

• ASDSO Training for

Rehabilitation of Dam Gates and Valves

Specialized Skills:

• Hydrology/Hydraulics for

Dam Safety

• Engineering Design

• ALERT Systems

• Hydraulic Gate and Valve

Controls

• Custom Fabrication

• Floodplain Delineation

Studies

Role: As Project Engineer, Jeff will provide oversight and assistance for all design task and construction management assignments, including design and construction management for ALERT system dam improvements.

Specialized Skills:

• Hydrographic Survey

• System Design & Specs

• ALERT Systems

• Electronics/Instrumentation

• LAN and WAN Systems

Design

• OSHA Certified for Tower

Climb & Rescue

Role: Tyler will add value to the team as a designer, installer, and technician with intimate knowledge of the components of the Department’s data collection systems. Tyler will also continue in his role to coordinate field operations for dam safety improvement projects and on-going hatchery operations.

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 3

Cory Helton, PE, CFM Project Design, Hydrology and Hydrography Years with JEF: 17 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Cory has 17 years of experience planning, designing, and implementing ALERT flood detection systems in the Southwest United States for JEF. Cory brings a variety of skills to this project, including design, field and base station installation, software customization and development of rating curves using his considerable experience with hydrologic and hydraulic modeling. Cory has been an integral part of the team that designed and installed the Departments Lakes ALERT System, including development of rating curves, FCC licensing and the ALERT base station installation. Cory has also taken a lead role in planning, designing, installing, and maintaining remote ALERT stations and base stations across Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Utah, and Northern Mexico.

Nate Vaughan, P.E.

Engineer/Hydrologist/Programmer Years with JEF: 13 Location: Prescott, Arizona

Nate has been part of the JEF Dam Safety and ALERT Systems Group since 2007 and was the chief architect and implementer of the Department’s Engineering Group Imaged Records Database. Nate’s specialty part of the team includes computer programing, database design, and network management. Nate has recently been helping the group integrate our clients’ in-house GIS resources with the real-time data capabilities of their ALERT systems to produce intuitive browser-based interfaces for user visualization and situational awareness for decision support during flood and weather-related emergencies.

Peter Acton, P.E.

Years with JEF: 7 Location: Tempe, Arizona

Peter has been part of the JEF Dam Safety and ALERT Systems Group since 2013.

Most recently, Peter performed design and installation for the Department’s new Luna Lake aeration facility, which included design and specifications for the main housing structure, connection to the electrical grid, the entire system’s electrical design, a surveillance camera system, and sensors. Peter both managed the project and had his hands on all aspects of the design and installation.

Jean Marie Rieck, NEPA Specialist/Senior Biologist Years with JEF: 1.5 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Jean Marie joined JEF in 2019 to begin building a comprehensive suite of environmental services to help streamline the environmental regulatory and compliance requirements for each type of project. Jean Marie brings 8 years of experience to the team and she has already added a new member to her team to support her in this work.

Role: Jean Marie will support the Dam Safety and ALERT Systems Group by leading environmental permitting and regulatory compliance, natural resource management, wetland delineation, and technical writing.

Specialized Skills:

• Environmental planning & regulatory compliance

• Biological evaluation & threatened/ endangered species analyses

• Clean Water Act compliance & wetlands

Specialized Skills:

• Hydrology/Hydraulics for

Dam Safety

• Engineering Design

• ALERT Systems

• Electronics/Instrumentation

• LAN and WAN Systems

Design

Role: Cory will assist with all aspects of ALERT and Dam Safety design and implementation as needed, including design, FCC licensing, coordination with other agencies, equipment and software installation and setup.

Role: Nate will support the Dam Safety and ALERT Systems Group by providing overall technical design and support related to maintaining and improving the Department’s ALERT and Dam Maintenance Management Databases.

Specialized Skills:

• Hydrology/Hydraulics

• Engineering Design

• ALERT Systems

• Computer Programing

• Computer Networks

• Database Design

Role: Peter will support the Dam Safety and ALERT Systems Group by providing hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, and system design, maintenance, and operations.

Specialized Skills:

• Hydrology/Hydraulics

• Engineering Design

• ALERT Systems

• Electronics/Instrumentation

• Camera Surveillance

Systems

• Dam Safety

• Computer Programming

• Computer Networks

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 4

Cyrus Miller, P.E.

Engineer/Hydrologist Years with JEF: 8 Location: Tucson, Arizona

Cy has been part of the JEF Dam Safety and ALERT Systems Group since 2007 and has been involved with design and implementation of ALERT Systems. Cy’s specialty part of the team includes management of all aspects of planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of Southern Arizona ALERT systems. Cy’s experience includes planning, and design of flood control structures, floodplain studies, and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling. Cy is also an experienced AutoCAD and ArcGIS user and is a hands-on member of the Dam Safety and ALERT Systems Group, participating in station installations and maintenance for several Southern Arizona agencies.

TECHNICAL TEAM – Supporting Members

Supporting the lead members of our team is a competent and dedicated cadre of specialists, including

Hwee Hwang, PhD, P.E.

Years with JEF: 3

Dave Tapley Senior Software Engineer

Years with JEF: 1

Bryce Davin , EIT CAD Designer/Hydro-Tech Years with JEF: 3

Chris Flory

CAD Designer/Hydro-Tech Years with JEF: 1

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Arizona Game & Fish Department

Project Organizational Chart

Cory Helton, PE ALERT Systems &

Dam Safety

Tyler Azeltine Lead Hydro-Tech

Jeff Despain, PE, CFM

Dam Safety

Nate Vaughan, PE Engineering, Hydrology, Databases

Brian Iserman, PE, CFM Project Principal

Peter Acton, PE System Design, Hydrology, Programming

Jean Marie Rieck, M.S., CEI, QAWB

Project Biologist

Specialized Skills:

• Hydrology/Hydraulics

• Engineering Design

• ALERT Systems

• Planning

Role: Cy will add value to design projects as an experienced project manager, facilities planner, and design engineer.

Cy Miller, PE Engineering

Planning

Parker Canyon Lake

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 5

SUBCONSULTANTS - SUBCONTRACTORS

For projects requiring other specialized disciplines – including survey, structural design, geotechnical engineering, electrical design, and cultural resources, JEF has cultivated long-term relationships with individuals and firms throughout the state which specialize in these fields. To fit the best-suited sub-consultant to the project and to maintain flexibility, JEF prefers to remain free to recommend and use the specialists who can best meet each project’s goals. As such, JEF will work closely with Department staff to make sure everyone is onboard with recommended specialists.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Projects Created as a Team

Following are descriptions for a few representative projects we have completed in the past 5 years which we think will provide a picture of JEF’s experience, expertise, and reliability.

AGFD Hatchery Precipitation and Discharge Instrumentation

Year Completed: 2017 Client: Arizona Game and Fish Department Contact: Geoffrey Rabinovich, (623) 236-7263 Team Members: Brian Iserman (PM), Jeff Despain (Eng), Cory Helton (Tech), Chris Flory (Tech), Tyler Azeltine (Lead Tech), Bryce Davin (Tech), Nate Vaughan (Data Base), Peter Acton (Programmer), Dave Tapley (Lead Programmer) Project Cost: $200,000 (approximate) over a three-year period.

Current annual maintenance and improvements budget is $10,000.

Beginning in 2015, JEF began working with AZGFD to plan, design and install precipitation and discharge data collection equipment at four of the Department’s Hatcheries, including Silver Creek, Tonto Creek, Canyon Creek, and Page Springs.

The purpose of this project was (and continues to be) precision data collection of all hatchery water resources for hatchery planning, management, and operations.

JEF worked closely with Department personnel to design and install three precision discharge measurement stations at each hatchery, with one of the stations also including a precipitation sensor – a total of 12 discharge measurement stations with 4 precipitation sensors.

Some of the installations included upgrades to existing weirs and fabrication of new weirs and fish screens. Where feasible, JEF also developed stage/ discharge rating relationships for select stations. The data from all stations are received in real time at the Department’s ALERT base station which JEF also previously designed and installed for the Department’s Lakes ALERT system.

The links provided in the first paragraph lead to custom live data pages which JEF also designed and implemented with Department input. JEF continues to perform maintenance and upgrades to all hatchery data collection stations and live data web pages now established up to this day.

AGFD Lakes ALERT Program

Year Completed: 2007 to Present Client: Arizona Game and Fish Department Contact: Gordon Bleyl, (623) 236-7478 Team Members: Brian Iserman (PM), Jeff Despain (Eng), Cory Helton (Tech), Chris Flory (Tech), Tyler Azeltine (Lead Tech), Bryce Davin (Tech), Nate Vaughan (Data Base), Peter Acton (Programmer), Dave Tapley (Lead Programmer) Project Cost: Initial system design/build approximately $200,000.

Average annual maintenance and improvements from 2008 to the present - approximately $80,000.

JEF began helping the Department in 2007 by installing real-time

Jeff Despain is shown installing safety feature to a new precipitation and discharge data collection station at the Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery, Arizona.

https://azgfd.jefulleralert.com/SilverCreek/ https://azgfd.jefulleralert.com/TontoCreek/ https://azgfd.jefulleralert.com/CanyonCreek/ https://azgfd.jefulleralert.com/PageSprings/

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 6 data telemetry stations on the department’s 10 high and significant hazard dams. JEF has worked every year since then to maintain, improve, and expand the system to include instrumentation at the department’s hatcheries and wildlife areas, with instruments and cameras installed to monitor water resources and provide advance warning of conditions which may lead to flooding.

The Department’s ALERT and Data Collection System now includes

• 11 lake stage/precipitation stations

• 3 principal outlet stage stations

• 1 stream stage/precipitation station

• 2 PTZ camera stations

• 10 time-lapse camera stations

• 1 ALERT data concentrating repeater station

• 1 data collection base station located at the BASF

• Remote PO controller at Chevelon Canyon Dam

Following are a few of the program’s milestones JEF helped the Department to reach –

2005 – JEF developed the scope and budget that would be used by the Department to secure funding for the initial design and build-out of the ALERT system.

2007/2008 – JEF designed and installed ALERT precipitation/stage stations on the Department’s 10 high and significant hazard dams and a temporary base station at their Tempe, Arizona office.

2009 – JEF established a new base station at the new BASF Headquarters, and seepage station installed at Black Canyon Dam.

2011 – JEF designed and installed the Department’s first remote Pan/Tilt/Zoom solar surveillance camera system at Black Canyon Dam.

2014 – ALERT Base station server replacement/upgrade.

2016 – Chevelon Canyon Dam Improvements, including ALERT Stage and Seepage Stations, rebuilt hydraulic actuators, designed, and installed new hydraulic control system with satellite telemetry for remote control of the two principal outlets.

Designed and installed the Department’s repeater at the DPS Brookbank Point Facility. Added ALERT2 telemetry protocol capabilities to the Department’s base station. Began Phase I of adding redundant cell telemetry to all data collection stations.

Coordinated between the Department, the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and Greenlee County to design and build a replacement repeater on Guthrie Peak near Clifton, Arizona.

2017 – JEF Designed and built the Ash Creek precipitation/stream stage and PTZ camera station following the Frye Fire which impacted the Ash Creek watershed above the Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area. Completed Phase II of cell telemetry build out.

2018/2019 – JEF Added time-lapse cameras to existing ALERT data collection stations. Developed routine to post the updated images to the Department’s Website at water.azgfd.gov.

2020 – JEF Replaced the base station server after the existing server’s mother board failed. Updated the base station software and the live data web viewer. Established a backup database and web page.

Lower San Pedro Preserve Feasibility Study

Year Completed: In Progress in 2021 Client: Arizona Game and Fish Department Contact: Shawn Lowery, (520) 609-2166 Team Members: Cy Miller (PM)

Bryce Davin performs maintenance to the Big Lake, ALERT Station

Image from the Ash Creek PTZ Camera near the Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 7

Project Cost: $ 382,902 Total including Sub-consultants, $83,258 JEF’s Portion.

Project Description: JEF performed a feasibility analysis for establishing a wildlife preserve spanning several properties along a reach of the Lower San Pedro River near Dudleyville, Arizona. The overall goal of the project is a river restoration plan based on the following components:

topographic mapping, site assessment, hydrogeologic and geomorphologic investigations, groundwater modeling and 2-dimensional surface water flood hydraulic modeling. Ancillary tasks provided for planning and concept development for the on-site Preserve headquarters and public access point, as well as a Preliminary Jurisdictional Delineation of potential WOTUS jurisdictional areas. Following commencement of project efforts, habitat modeling related to Southwest Willow Flycatcher and Yellow-Billed Cuckoo was added into the scope to support the project.

Chevelon Creek Wildlife Area Improvements Design

Year Completed: 2019

Contact:, Chris Gunter (623) 236-7477 Team Members: Jeff Despain (PM/Eng), Bryce Davin (Design) Project Cost: $77,360.

JEF provided design and specifications using existing topographic mapping. Architectural design, and an environmental assessment, including a Clean Water Act section 404 jurisdictional determination, were performed by our sub-consultants. Design elements provided by JEF included grading and drainage, a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP), and irrigation improvements.

Specifications were provided for pipeline, pumps, and a specialty swivel joint irrigation solution.

Dam Emergency Action Plan Updates FY 17/18

Year Completed: 2018

Contact: Gordon Bleyl, (623) 236-7478 Team Members: Brian Iserman (PM/Eng) Project Cost: $40,000.

Project Description: JEF updated 5 of the Department’s Dam Emergency Action Plans (EAPs). In preparation for this project, JEF performed a review of the Department’s 10 EAPs and prioritization for future updates. EAPs were updated for the following dams:

• Arivaca Dam

• Black Canyon Dam

• Cluff Ranch #3 Dam,

• Lynx Lake Dam, and

• Pena Blanca Dam

The work included establishing a new standard format for all the Department’s EAPs.

Working closely with the Department, JEF designed the new standard format which included the following updates and enhancements:

• revises dam information page so that it is easier to find information pertinent to each dam, including addition of a data table and a dam schematic diagram,

• added a dam access page which includes a simple map showing dam features pertinent to carrying out emergency observations and operations.

• reviewed and updated contact lists, resource lists, and downstream impacts,

• revised alert levels and aligned them with new overtopping analyses performed by JEF in 2016,

• updated appendices by including photos from the most recent inspections which show normal conditions for key features of each dam.

JEF provided the finalized EAPs to the Department in electronic format from which official distribution copies were published.

Fish Creek Fish Barrier Survey and Design

Contact: Contact: Gordon Bleyl, (623) 236-7478 Project Cost: $25,400

Team Members: Jeff Despain (PM/Eng), Bryce Davin (Design)

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 8

Project Description:

JEF provided a site investigation, photos, relative topographic survey, and preliminary/30% design for a proposed fish barrier to be located on Fish Creek. JEF performed a relative-elevation survey using our own total station from which topographic mapping was developed. During the survey, site characteristics were noted and photographed, and a temporary benchmark (TBM) was established for later use during construction by the Department. Due to an impending budget deadline, JEF performed the work on short notice within 7 weeks.

Marana Core High School - CWA Section 404 Compliance

Client: Carhuff & Cueva Architects, LLC Project Cost: $5,880.00.

Team Members: Jean Marie Rieck (Lead Scientist)

Project Description: JEF provided Clean Water Act Section 404 compliance and delineated potential Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) for a proposed new high school in Marana, Arizona.

JEF prepared datasheets and conducted field investigations to determine and map the Ordinary High- Water Mark (OHWM) boundaries of each potential WOTUS. Once the fieldwork was complete, JEF prepared a Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination letter report that contained relevant hydrological, soil, and biological conditions of the proposed project area in addition to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-compliant maps. To assess the level of Section 404 permitting needed for the site, JEF compared the spatial data gathered in the field to the project design elements to determine the total area of potential WOTUS that would be impacted by the project. To provide proof of compliance with the Endangered Species Act, JEF also performed a biological evaluation that identified if any federally endangered or threatened species had suitable habitat or potential occupancy within the project area. The project was successfully completed on time and within the fixed fee budget. Because of Jean Marie’s expertise in both the CWA Section 404 determination process and with identification of threatened or endangered species, she was able to keep costs low.

Luna Lake Aeration System Installation

Year Completed: 2020

Contact: Contact: David Weedman, (623) 236-7478 Project Cost: $94,687

Team Members: Peter Acton (PM/Eng), Cory Helton (Lead Tech), Chris Flory (Tech), Jeff Despain (Eng), Tyler Azeltine (Tech), Brian Iserman (Hydrologist)

Project Description: Following the design of this system (completed by JEF in 2017), JEF provided the following services to complete the Luna Lake Aeration System:

• coordinated with the Department and the Department’s contractors who furnished and installed the aeration building, conduit, and electrical service,

• specified, purchased, integrated, and installed the aeration system, including pumps, controls, airline, surveillance camera, multi-parameter water quality sonde, and lake level sensor, and

• developed a web page for display of the real-time data and surveillance images – see https://azgfd.jefulleralert.com/LunaLake/.

Following is an abbreviated listing of more projects which we have completed during the last 5 years for the Department:

Ash Creek Pipeline Design

Year Completed: 2020

Project Cost: $82,826

Big Lake & Lee Valley Dams Table-Top Exercise

Year Completed: 2016

Project Cost: $4,998

Team Members: Brian Iserman (PM), Jeff Despain (Eng)

Cold Springs Ranch Spring Discharge Measurement https://azgfd.jefulleralert.com/LunaLake/

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 9

Contact: Contact: Anthony Beckham, (602) 942-3000 Project Cost: $3,859

Team Members: Brian Iserman (PM), Tyler Azeltine (Tech)

Parker Canyon and Arivaca Dam Inundation Delineations

Project Cost: $2,257

Team Members: Brian Iserman (PM)

Dam Overtopping Analyses for 10 Dams

Project Cost: $16,157

Team Members: Brian Iserman (PM), Peter Acton (Eng)

Design of the Becker Lake Diversion Improvements

Contact: Contact: Chris Gunter, (623) 236-7477 Project Cost: $20,232

Ordinary High Water (404) Determination for 4 Lakes

Project Cost: $5,613

Team Members: Brian Iserman (PM), Cory Helton (Tech)

PROJECT UNDERSTANDING

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (Department) is responsible for design, construction, and operations/maintenance of boating facilities throughout the state. The Department, which owns 38 dams in Arizona, is responsible for meeting state dam safety standards for 10 of those dams which are rated as jurisdictional and therefore subject to state dam safety regulations. For the remaining dams, it is the Department’s responsibility to operate and maintain these structures efficiently and effectively to maintain structural integrity and to maximize safe public benefit of these structures.

Boater Access

The department operates/maintains approximately 190 boating facilities on over 160 named water bodies including rivers and lakes in urban and non-urban settings. Facility types include boat docks and ramps, marinas, pumpouts, boat cleaning stations, fish cleaning stations and fishing docs.

To keep pace with the goals of the Department’s Strategic plan for managing recreation, the Boating Access Program is challenged by the growing needs of Arizona boaters. As boat traffic increases, the Department is challenged by providing facilities that keep up with not only the increased traffic, but also changes in how the public uses these facilities. For example, a dock designed and installed 20 years ago for small fishing boats may not be adequate for larger and faster boats. Additionally, with the increased traffic, facilities may not be able to handle the flow of vehicle and boat traffic safely, and efficiently. Challenges include: Permitting, clean water, 404 NEPA Section 7 Consultation, multiple permitting agencies, safety, and efficiency.

Dam Safety

The Department owns and operates 38 dams, 10 of which fall into the “jurisdictional’ category by meeting height (25 feet) and/or storage capacity (50-acre-feet) thresholds. Dams in this category are subject to safety standard regulation by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). Not only do the Department’s dams require a lot of maintenance (as all dams do), but they are increasingly falling under stricter safety standards due to encroachment by development into the dams’ inundation areas.

A dam’s inundation area is the area that is subject to inundation by water and/or debris flows should the dam experience a full spillway flow or what is known as a catastrophic dam-failure scenario flood. Even if development such as homes, schools and public infrastructure does not occur inside the modeled or predicted inundation zone for a dam, the presence of new structures (especially habitable structures) can cause a dam’s jurisdictional hazard class to increase such that the standard by which its inundation area is predicted is made much more stringent, and as such, will normally increase the size of the inundation area associated with the dam. Such a scenario would then also cause the rest of the dam’s structure and operations to be held to a higher standard that could cost the Department millions of dollars to bring the dam into compliance.

Big Lake Dam

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 10

Some of the other challenges faced by the Department’s dam safety program include:

• Stricter cultural and environmental regulation,

• Non-operable aging gates and valves,

• Delivery of water right calls,

• Remote monitoring,

• Seepage

• Aging/leaking principal outlets

METHOD OF APPROACH

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY AND COMMON

PROBLEMS

JEF’s Dam Safety and ALERT Systems Group has become accustomed to adapting a wide range of skills and personalities to fit projects that fall outside what most engineering firms can take

on. JEF has invested in specialized training and equipment needed to tackle complex design-build projects safely and efficiently with multiple objectives in remote locations. This has required development of a flexible management approach that is adaptable to projects that will have many unknown challenges.

The key to our flexible approach is trust which has been built over many years working with the Department.

An overriding factor to our success in analysis, design, and specification of solutions for ALERT Systems, Dam Safety, Facilities and Dam Engineering is our direct, hands-on connection to the field work involved with installing and building and analyzing.

We are a “field-ready” organization with years of experience helping our clients maintain and operate built systems and assisting with actual emergency operations during extreme events. It is this experience that gives direct feedback into our designs, our installation work, our construction management, and our studies that are aimed at identifying risk and responding to extreme events.

For this RFP, we have grouped the scope items which we are competent to perform in-house. Within each scope task group, we present our Design Philosophy and how we have overcome Common Problems. Reference is made in each task group to projects that demonstrate our experience and understanding for the category.

ALERT SYSTEM DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT

The first and most important factor to consider when designing any part of an ALERT System is the purpose of the system. If the purpose is advanced detection of flood threats, especially for dam safety, then the highest value must be given to system reliability and high availability.

The purpose of the Arizona Game and Fish Departments ALERT Flood Detection System is to provide advanced warning of flooding happening to the Department’s Dams or coming from a Department-owned dam. A second important use the Department gets from its Lakes ALERT System is a valuable hydro-meteorological record that can be used for decades to come to manage these important structures and their associated reservoirs.

There is one more guiding factor that shapes our design philosophy for the Department’s Lakes ALERT System, and it is reflected in something our staff have heard Gordon Bleyl, the Department’s engineer responsible for overseeing their dams, say more than once. “I wish my dams could talk to me.” Our goal then, is to make the Department’s dams “speak” so that decision makers, emergency managers and planners have the right information at the right time to make informed decisions.

With these as our guiding principles, our team will consider the following additional factors in the process of design for improvements to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s ALERT flood detection system:

• coordination with the Arizona Statewide Flood Warning Network to determine radio telemetry specifications for entry to the real-time telemetry network, which is operated by a group of cooperating agencies,

• coordination with the local ALERT system administrator so that new ALERT sensor station data are properly integrated into that local agency’s system,

• sensor station site selection to reduce vandalism and easy access for maintenance,

• careful sensor selection to match the requirements of the task, and

• coordination with Game and Fish IT services to make sure remote station metadata are properly configured in the base station and that data are being received reliably.

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 11

The common challenges to designing ALERT instrumentation and telemetry systems include equipment compatibility and reliability, radio path reliability, securing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) radio licenses and ALERT ID assignments, and Game and Fish computer network environment. Our team will overcome these challenges in the following ways:

• coordinate frequently with equipment vendors to make sure our specifications are up to date with the state of the art,

• perform field verification of radio paths,

• coordinate FCC licensing through the local National Weather Service cooperating forecast office, the federal Inter-department Radio Advisory Committee (for permission to use the hydrologic radio band) and coordinate with the Arizona Department of Public Safety which is the state’s central FCC license coordinating agency,

• coordinate ALERT ID assignment through the State of Arizona Governor’s Multi-Agency Task Force, and

• continue to coordinate with the Department’s IT group to keep the Department’s ALERT base station in compliance with all security protocol and network environment settings.

Additional problems and challenges to the work include the following:

• Remote Dams – The dams that the Department has asked

JEF to provide ALERT instrumentation services for tend to be quite remote. Because we have been planning, designing, building, and maintaining ALERT systems in remote and rugged locations in the Southwest since 1996, we have learned how to work efficiently and safely in remote locations by relying on two-man teams that are well prepared and take safety seriously. This takes considerable advanced training and planning to make sure that we show up at the right place at the right time with the right tools and equipment.

To increase efficiency, our crews often camp in the field. This is born out of necessity since much of the work is hours away from the nearest towns. To decrease repeat visits, we maintain our own in-house ALERT base station which helps us to track and analyze every packet of real-time data sent from the stations we maintain (hundreds across the state). Troubleshooting happens long before we ever head out to a site for scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. With careful record keeping and constant automated and manual data analysis, JEF staff keep close tabs on hundreds of ALERT sensor stations on our watch. We also employ email and text notifications to alert us to identify irregularities before they turn into failures.

• Sensitive Instruments in a Harsh Environment – usually translates into an un-reliable system unless careful attention is given to every detail. The most common causes of system failure are lightning strikes, power loss and sensor calibration drift. JEF has a track record of building and maintaining reliable systems. Our experience with design, installation, maintenance, and operational analyses since 1996 provides important feedback into our designs and our installation methods. To maintain highly reliable ALERT systems, JEF:

o designs and builds in state-of-the-art lightning protection systems for DC circuits and radio equipment to the same standards as emergency communications agencies and cell providers, o bases battery and solar charging/regulating system specifications on our years of experience and working directly with the manufacturers, and o calibrates every sensor on every site visit and keeps all maintenance and calibration records in a searchable database that is accessible to crews in the field. We also make these records available to our clients via Microsoft’s OneNote application.

ALERT System Design and Management References:

Cochise County ALERT System Design/Install/Maintain

Reference Information:

Cochise County Engineering and Natural Resources Mark Apel, Environmental Project Coordinator (520) 432-9300

Santa Cruz County ALERT System Design/Install/Maintain

Santa Cruz County Flood Control District John Hays (Santa Cruz County), (520) 375-7830

Arizona Game and Fish Department Lakes ALERT System Planning, Design, and Installation

Dam EAPs and Inundation Studies Dam and Irrigation Upgrades and Repairs

Tom Kmetz (623) 236-7479 Gordon Bleyl (623) 236-7478

JEF field camp at Arivaca Lake during the 2007 ALERT station installation.

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 12

DAM SAFETY

Included in the broader category of Dam Safety we will include the following Task Categories as we discuss our Method of Approach:

• Formulation of Emergency Action Plans

• Hydraulics and Hydrology

• Dam inundation Studies

• Geomorphology

JEF with Lawrence Engineering produced EAPs for 5 of the Department’s jurisdictional Dams. JEF has produced inundation maps for 8 of the department jurisdictional dams and, as noted in our project descriptions, has updated all the Department’s EAPs.

The above listed Task Categories relate to producing Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) that are well informed by the physical processes that are the primary factors for identifying the hazard the dam poses to downstream communities.

Other overriding factors to consider when performing analyses and producing maps and reports in support of EAPs is the potential impact to areas where people live or where there is infrastructure that crosses or draws people into inundation areas such as road crossing, campgrounds, parks, and schools. Finally, to plan for extreme events which put lives and property at risk, each EAP must consider the capabilities of the local emergency response community and what information is necessary for them to make informed decisions so that they can allocate their resources efficiently.

In addition to these general factors, our overall approach to dam safety planning and preparedness projects is shaped by these rules:

• Historical Information – looking to historical data sources to determine how the physical environment has changed over time. Look for long-term trends,

• System Approach – Consider the entire physical system (hydrology, geomorphology etc...) rather than just the focus project area. Local hydrologic and geomorphic responses are often the result of system-wide changes that are occurring well outside the focus project area.

• When considering project alternatives, look for a balance of functionality with local community/jurisdictional compatibility.

• Agency Responsibilities – understanding who at what agency is responsible for what goes a long way toward filling emergency response gaps in EAPs.

Common challenges with assessing the physical environment, including hydrology and geomorphology of a project area include the following:

• Lack of historical information – This can be overcome by looking at more regional-scale information and making regression interpretations.

• Geomorphic systems in a state of disequilibrium which are the result of structures or processes that are outside the control of the project partners – These can be overcome by creative solutions within the project area informed by an understanding of fluvial geomorphology.

• Effectively communicating complicated project problems and alternative solutions – Effective visual aids and computer modeling results have proven to be a very effective way to clearly articulate complex systems to the public and public officials.

• Generally, the more remote the dam and its inundation area, the less likely there will be enough readily available data.

These areas also tend to lack dense populations and their emergency response agencies are stretched thin. The lack of data is then compensated for by using our experience as hydrologists, geomorphologists, and engineers to develop acceptable approximate methods that produce conservative analyses results. Knowing that population densities are low, and the abilities of emergency responders limited by distance, the emergency action approach will be scaled to the ability of the local community to respond, and in the planning process, our team will look hard to find creative solutions, including non-structural (such as ALERT systems) and structural measures that can enhance such communities’ resistance to the hazards associated with living in proximity to dams.

Dam Safety References:

Lee Valley Reservoir EAP and Dam Inundation Study Pena Blanca Lake EAP and Dam Inundation Study

Gordon Bleyl (623) 236-7478

Millet Swale Inundation Study Central Detention Dam Inundation Study

Arizona Department of Water Resources Ravi Murthy (602) 771-8649

Department employee inspecting culverts below Big Lake Dam

AZGFD Solicitation BPM003384 13

DAM ENGINEERING

JEF’s Dam Engineering experience has primarily been focused on rehabilitation of gates and valves associated with the Department’s dams. The most, important overriding factor in all this work is that the Department’s principal outlet gates, valves and actuators work reliably and that the PO pipes are structurally sound and do not leak, especially given the heightened public awareness of the importance of water resources and dam safety.

An important factor that we take into consideration in all our Dam Engineering work, especially in the process of planning and prioritizing repair work, is the hazard classification of the dam. The hazard classification acts as the overall umbrella factor because it is a function of the dam’s size, proximity to communities and the upstream watershed size and condition. Regarding the process of specifying equipment to be repaired or replaced, the following additional factors will be taken into consideration:

• Dam Accessibility – can the dam be accessed by vehicle or must a boat be used?

• Environmental Factors – are there seasonal access limitations due to wildlife migration patterns?

• Safety – Are there fall or tripping hazards? Is the dam at a high elevation that would limit dive times? How deep is the water (this is also a dive time factor)?

• Access Frequency – How often must gate and valve controls be accessed and who will operate them?

• Environmental Factors – is the dam in a freeze zone?

• Public Access – How often is the lake and the dam visited by the public and what are the recreational uses?

Common problems and challenges to planning, designing, and building principal outlet infrastructure improvements, including gates, valves and actuators include the following:

• Incomplete or Non-existent As-built Plans – JEF overcomes this challenge by working closely with a dive contractor to make physical measurements and to collect video of key components.

• Obsolete Equipment – since most of the Department’s dams are more than 50 years old, they often have equipment that has been out of production for decades. – JEF has found two companies in the Phoenix area that specialize in supplying and rebuilding hydraulic systems of any kind. Kennedy Hydraulics has become our go-to source for repairs to actuator cylinders because if their knowledgeable and experienced staff cannot find parts, they have a machine shop for fabricating parts. It is also very helpful that they are knowledgeable about pneumatic (air driven) cylinder because many of the actuators in Department lakes are air cylinders that have been modified to run with hydraulic fluid.

The other supplier mentioned is Parker Store of Phoenix which can custom manufacture custom hoses and fittings.

Because of the age of most of the equipment at Department dams, we have found a variety of plumbing methods used to handle the hydraulic oil between the gates/valves and the actuators. We have also assembled our own mobile inventory of pipe, fittings, and hoses to solve the various combinations of interconnection problems found in the field.

• Budget Limitations – Dams are expensive structures to maintain, so the Department depends on us to operate efficiently to get the most out of every project budget. Two of the biggest budget items for our dam rehabilitation projects are the divers and parts/equipment. To keep dive costs in check, we plan ways to minimize diver standby time. The best way to keep a diver busy is to show up on the day of the dive early with spares of everything and contingency plans in place should the diver discover something that was not reflected in as-built drawings or maintenance records.

The solution to keeping equipment budgets in check is not to find the best deal on parts and equipment, but to find the best parts and equipment, and then deal. The highest quality parts and equipment will keep us from having to make repeat visits to remote sites.

• Remote Locations - Our years of experience in the field have taught us…