September 6, 2019
Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, LEED AP
President, Chen Moore and Associates
Last Week: While South Floridians have been complaining about the state of their water and sewer infrastructure, I think it is important to note “how good we have it”. Last week, I was in Jackson, Mississippi for a conference. I was impressed with the history and hospitality in this State Capital. After a short time, I realized the negative trend the city was actually on. With a shrinking tax base and degrading infrastructure, businesses are leaving in droves. A local brewery was forced to shut because the City couldn’t supply consistent water. We need to get better, but it could be worse.

Looking ahead: Next week, I’ll be heading to Tallahassee to attend the TaxWatch Productivity Awards. Since 1989, the Awards program has publicly recognized and rewarded state employees and work units whose work significantly and measurably increases productivity and promotes innovation to improve the delivery of state services and save money for Florida taxpayers and businesses. Over the 30-year program, more than 16,000 nominations have been received, and awards have been given to state employees for saving or maximizing state dollars to the tune of approximately $10 billion.

June 2019
Brent Whitfield, P.E., ENV SP
Director of Water Resources, Chen Moore and Associates
Since the earliest days of development in Florida, flooding has been an ever-present threat to property and safety. Considering that much of the stormwater infrastructure in Florida requires repair or replacement, now is the time to begin planning for how to manage the flooding issues of the future. Thankfully, for the 16-county region within the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), a planning process has been initiated. A basin by basin Flood Protection Level of Service (FPLOS) assessment is being done to identify the existing level of service provided by State and Federal drainage infrastructure and to identify what projects are needed going forward.

On a local scale, the FPLOS program is being applied in two phases. Phase 1 consists of using computer models to assess the level of flood protection provided by the existing infrastructure for a range of future development and sea level rise scenarios. The results are reviewed to compare: (1) maximum stage in primary canals, (2) maximum discharge capacity into the primary network, (3) structure performance, (4) peak storm runoff, (5) maximum depth of flooding, and (6) duration of flooding across the basin. Where problems are identified, Phase 2 studies are proposed to identify flood mitigation projects and establishes thresholds for project implementation.

This analysis is critical to understand the current and projected state of flood protection provided by State and Federal owned infrastructure. In a similar fashion, many municipalities across the State have done their own evaluations through stormwater management master plans. Identifying flood protection issues at the local and regional level is the first step. The most critical piece is funding and constructing the necessary improvement projects. A program like FPLOS provides the tools for technical professionals to explain to policy makers and taxpayers the importance of that funding.

This post is an excerpt from an article published in the June 2019 Issue of FES Journal. To download the article, visit the following link:

https://chenmoore-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/p/bwhitfield/ETKvivM4pP1MiusGCL559nUBXQXl2A6DXP84mf_rpVK_4g?e=hw385n

August 23, 2019
Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, LEED AP
President, Chen Moore and Associates
Looking ahead: When you get a minute next week, find three paperclips. Individually, bend open the end piece and then bend it back in place. Do that over and over again, counting the number of bends until it breaks. You’ll find that the numbers differ. If you did ten paperclips, that difference would vary more greatly. The difference is a result of slightly different strength used each time, slightly different metal in each paperclip and a number of other factors. That’s exactly the same thing that our infrastructure experiences. Instead of complaining when it fails, we need to fund proper maintenance.

August 4, 2019
Peter Moore, President, Chen Moore and Associates
Last week: The first water treatment plant in Fort Lauderdale opened in 1926. For 93 years, the City has been providing clean, safe water that “magically” shows up at homes and businesses. At last check, they have still yet to receive a single thank you note for that incredible service. During the recent outage, my home and business were impacted. It cost me money and hassles, but I know the idea of suing the City for not doing something we’ve taken for granted for nearly 100 years is preposterous. Every dollar taken away by lawsuits steal from safe water.

Looking ahead: Treating climate change as a national security threat is not a new idea, nor is it a foolish idea. That’s why I’m optimistic that once Julia Nesheiwat starts as the State’s first Chief Resiliency Officer, there will be a definitive path forward towards a united approach to battle a common enemy. While I am friends with some of the 25 other candidates and I’m well aware their technical backgrounds are much more extensive that Ms. Neshiewat’s, her leadership experience is what is sorely needed. My toddler and her future children are counting on her.

Check out Peter’s article here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/south-florida-100/fl-op-sf100-online-version-for-sunday-4-august-20190802-qx5mdfktnzfn7mssob3tlx543i-story.html