SAVANNAH HARBOR EXPANSION PROJECT

EFDC & WASP MODEL DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATIONS

With the decision by the Federal Cooperating Agencies to focus the available resources on calibration of the EFDC and WASP (Plan B) models for use in the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, the Savannah District and Georgia Ports Authority PDT members worked to establish the process for this. The first step was to examine the process used for calibration of the WQMAP (Plan A) model suite to determine the lessons learned from it. Several were identified:

• The process was inefficient and, ultimately, ineffective in identifying concerns about vertical mixing in a timely fashion.  The communications flow between technical modelers, eventual user, and project managers was disjointed, which resulted in gaps in understanding amongst the different groups.
• The organizational structure of the parties participating in the calibration efforts was cumbersome.  Several groups evolved – the Modeling Technical Review Group (MTRG), the Savannah Multi-Agency Review Team (SMART), the Fisheries Interagency Coordination Group, the Wetlands Interagency Coordination Group, the Executive Management Group (EMG), the Project Management Advisory Group (PMAG), and the project managers; all of whom had interest in the model and some of whom were involved in the calibration and model development process.  These groups differed in the organizations represented, their focus, the guidelines under which they participated, and the roles in the acceptance decisions, yet many had common members.
• Communications amongst the participants was less effective than desired. Collaboration between the modelers at the technical level, between the eventual water quality users and technical modelers, and between the management was inadequate to meet the complexities of the model calibration and development.

A more effective approach was desired. Elements that will be included in the EFDC/WASP calibration process are:

• The integration of the technical, and management parties into one team that would report and develop recommendations for major decisions requiring Executive Management Group approval. Additionally, that team would interface with the Project Delivery Team (PDT), the Independent Technical Review Team, the Harbor Committee of the Savannah Chamber of Commerce Manufacturer’s Committee (through the City of Savannah member), and the Stakeholder Evaluation Group (through the Georgia Ports Authority)
• Inclusion of representatives of the states of Georgia and South Carolina, and the City of Savannah in the modeling team.
• Establishment of a plan for the distribution of information by the formalization of distribution lists
• Establishment of meeting guidelines regarding frequency, chairing, recording of proceedings, and establishment of action items, responsibilities, and deadlines.

The block diagram below is intended as a visualization of the structure of the organization. The components of the organization are enclosed in the boxes. The double-headed arrows represent the flow of communications amongst the various components. Within the modeling team itself, it is envisioned that aspects of the calibration effort will involve some of the members, depending on the subject, sub-committees focused on technical concerns, usability concerns, management, etc.

This approach has been coordinated with the representatives of the various organizations involved and has been accepted by all. The details of communications flow, meeting frequency and location, and records are being determined.  It is anticipated that this organization and its processes will be in full operation by the end of August.