•GEN.TURNERVISITSSOUTHFLORIDA

•DISTRICTEMPLOYEERECEIVESNATIONALAWARD

•HISPANICHERITAGEMONTH

...ANDMORE

NOVEMBER2014|Volume6Issue11

DISTRICT COMMANDERCOL.ALANDODD

ACTING CHIEF, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

JOHNH.CAMPBELL

MANAGING EDITORNAKEIRL.NOBLES

DESIGN AND LAYOUT ARTISTJENNIFERG.KNUDSEN,MFA

JaxStrong isamonthlyelectronicpublicationoftheU.S.ArmyCorps of Engineers, Jacksonville District providinginformation about the people, activities and projectsof the district. JaxStrong is distributed in accordancewith Army Regulation 360-1. Questions about, orsubmissions to, JaxStrong should be directed to theCorporate Communications Office. The editor can becontacted by telephone at 904-232-1789 or by emailto JaxStrongEditor@usace.army.mil. Content in thispublicationdoesnotnecessarilyreflecttheofficialviewof theU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers, theDepartmentoftheArmyortheDepartmentofDefense.

TABLEOFCONTENTSCommander's Column ...........................................2

General Turner's Visit ..............................................3

District Employee Wins Award .............................5

Hispanic Heritage Month Cook-off ....................6

Hispanic Heritage Month Challenge ..................7

Rising Tides ................................................................8

Veterans Day .............................................................9

National American Indian Month .......................10

Antilles School Update ...........................................11

Happy Thanksgiving ..............................................11

ONTHECOVER

COMMANDER’SCORNERMESSAGEFROMCOL.ALANDODD

Environmental successes in 2014

Asweapproachthemiddleoffall,Iamremindedofthebeautycontainedinsomanyplacesinthiscountry.Insomeareas,leavesarechangingcolorswhileothersareexperiencingthefirstblastofcoldair.IntheJacksonvilleDistrict,weareblessedwithmoderate temperatures that continue toallowus toenjoyourrivers,lakes,andstreams.However,aswegetfurtherintothe21stcentury,I amproud to leadanorganization that plays apivotal role in shaping theenvironmentalfutureofourgreatcountry.The Corps of Engineers is the nation’s environmental engineer, creatingsolutions for the nation’s environmental challenges. Nowhere is that moreevidentthantheenvironmentalworkwedoinFloridaandtheAntilles.Whetherrestoring ecosystems that were modified by past development, or ensuringbalancedgrowthintheeconomy,districtstaffworkwithrepresentativesfromothergovernmentagencies,non-governmentorganizations,andthepublictoensureourvaluableenvironmentalresourcesareprotected.In2014,wehavemadeprogress ona number of fronts thatwill lay the foundation for futuresuccess.InlateOctober,weheldaribbon-cuttingceremonyattherecentlycompletedMerritt Pump Station, which is one of the first major pieces of infrastructurefinished as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).Earlier in the summer we wrapped up work on the first phase of the C-44Reservoir&StormwaterTreatmentAreacomponentoftheIndianRiverLagoon–Southproject.WereachedagreementsthatwillallowworktoresumeinthefutureonKissimmeeRiverRestorationandtheC-111SouthDadeprojects.Wecontinuetopursueinnovativesolutionsaswereturnabout100FormerlyUsedDefenseSites(FUDS)tosafeandproductiveuse.But Jacksonville District isn’t only about restoring the environment; we aretaking necessary steps to protect aquatic resources throughour Regulatoryprograms. Our district has the largest regulatory permitting program in theCorpsofEngineers,issuing629individualpermitsand2,500generalpermitsintherecentlycompletedfiscalyear.Withjurisdictionaldeterminationsandotheritems,morethan9,000actionswerecompleted.Environmental sustainment inakey ingredient in thequalityof lifeweenjoy.Anotheristhetimewespendonrelationships.IencourageeveryonetopauseforamomentonNov.11thtohonortheveteranswhofoughtforourcountry.AndofcourseThanksgivingNov.27th,offersusanopportunitytoconnectwithfamilyand friendsand togive thanks forourcountry,our freedom,andourqualityoflife.

Besafe!

ArmyStrong.BUILDINGSTRONG®.JaxStrong.

AlanDoddColonel,U.S.ArmyDistrictCommander

Brig.Gen.C.DavidTurner,commandinggeneraloftheUSACESouthAtlanticDivision,takesatouroftheEvergladesviaairboatduringhisrecentvisittosouthFlorida.TurnerdevotednearlyaweeklearningaboutJacksonvilleDistrictprojects.(PhotocourrtesyofJennMiller)

2

South Atlantic Division commanding general visits Jacksonville District projects STORYANDPHOTOSBYJENNMILLER

During his visit, Brig. Gen. C. David Turner met with (from left) Bob Johnson, director of the South Florida Natural Resources Center for Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks; Bob Krumenaker , acting superintendant of Everglades National Park and Shannon Estenoz, director of Everglades Initiatives for the Department of the Interior. Jacksonville District commander, Col. Alan Dodd, accompanied Turner for the duration of his trip.

(CONTINUESONPAGE 4)

WhenthinkingaboutFlorida,oneofthefirst thingsthatmaycometomindisoftentheEverglades.WhilerestorationofthisnationaltreasureisamassiveendeavorbeingembarkedonbytheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersJacksonvilleDistrict,ecosystemrestoration is only apart of themulti-facetedmissionof theJacksonvilleDistrict.Brig.Gen.C.DavidTurner,SouthAtlanticDivisioncommander,devotednearlyaweek learningabout thedistrict’sprojectsandmeetingwithpartneringagencyofficialsanddistrictstaffduringhisvisittoFloridaSept.15-19."TheSouthAtlanticDivisionhasoneof the largestandmostdiverseCivilWorks programs in theCorps," said Turner. "TheJacksonville District staff is performing phenomenal work todevelopwater resourcessolutionsastheysolvesomeofthenation'stoughestengineeringchallenges."In addition to overseeing the largest ecosystem restorationeffort in the world, Jacksonville District is responsible for thelargestshoreprotectionprograminthenationandadministersthelargestregulatorypermittingprogramintheCorps.“TheJacksonvilleDistrict’smissionextendsbeyondecosystemrestoration and we dedicate the same kind of energy,enthusiasm,andcommitment to eachof ourmissionareas

andtheprojectsassociatedwiththem,”saidCol.AlanDodd,Jacksonville District commander, who accompanied Turnerthroughoutthedurationofhisvisit.“Theprojectswebuildarenotonlyextensive,butbringtremendousenvironmentalandeconomicvaluetothenation.”AlargeportionofJacksonvilleDistrict’smissiontodayistohelpensureFlorida'sportsremainvitalintheglobalmarketplace.Ithas17deepdraftportswithinitsareaofresponsibilityandthelargestshoreprotectionprograminthenation—constructingmore than30percentof thenation’s total shoreprotectionprojects.Additionally, thedistrict isworkingto rehabilitatethemassive143-mileHerbertHooverDike,whichprovidesflooddamagereduction for local communities and surrounds the secondlargestfreshwaterlakeinthecountry,LakeOkeechobee.Since2007, JacksonvilleDistricthasmadea significant investment,over $300million, in projects designed to reduce the risk offailureoftheagingstructure.LakeOkeechobeeservesasasourceof irrigation fora$1.5billion-a-yearagricultural industry thatproduces sugarcane,wintervegetables,citrusandrice.Thelakealsoprovidesfornavigation,recreation,andservesasasourceoffreshwaterforestuaries.

3

GENERAL TURNER (continuedfrom PAGE 3)

NotonlyisthedistrictworkingtorehabilitatethemassiveearthendikethatsurroundsLakeOkeechobee,itisalsoresponsibleformanagingthewaterlevelsofLakeOkeechobee.Thelakeismanagedinaccordancewiththe2008LakeOkeechobeeRegulationSchedule,whichwasdevelopedthrougharigorouspublicinvolvementprocessandattemptstobalancethewaterneedsofmanycompetinginterests.Lake Okeechobee is the heart of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades system. Before south Floridawas settled, the lake’swaterlevelswerecontrolledbynaturalconditionssuchasrainfall,runofffromtheKissimmeeRiver,evaporation,andoutflowssouthintotheEverglades.As thepopulationof southFloridagrewandagriculturalcommunitiesbegantothrive,theStateofFloridaandprivateentitiesconstructedanarrayofprojectstocontrolthelake’selevation.Asaresultoftheengineeringperformedasearlyasthe1880stomakesouthFloridamoreinhabitable,thenaturalflowofwaterto,andthrough,theEvergladeswasseverelyaltered.Theconstructionofroads,canals,andleveescreatedbarriersthatnowinterruptthenaturalflowofwaterthat’snecessaryfortheEvergladestosurvive.Thegoalof Everglades restoration is toget the rightquantity,quality,timinganddistributionofwater to theEverglades inorder toprotect,preserve,and restore theecosystemwhilemeetingotherneedssuchaswater supplyandfloodcontrol. Thedistrict’sEverglades restorationprogramistheCorps'single largestecosystemrestorationeffortand isbeingperformedinpartnershipwithstateandfederalagencies.Fromflooddamagereductiontonavigationtoecosystemrestoration,the work performed by Jacksonville District is not only unique innature,butalsotakes intoaccountmanyfactorswhenplanningandimplementingprojects.Throughcollaborativeeffortswithfederal,stateand localagencies,progresscontinues inensuringtheprojectsbeingbuilttodaycontributetoahealthyandsustainableenvironmentforfuturegenerations.♦

During his visit to south Florida Sept. 15-19, Brig. Gen. C. David Turner meets with members of the Jacksonville District’s Herbert Hoover Dike project team and saw the massive rehabilitation work first-hand.

Brig. Gen. C. David Turner, commanding general of the South Atlantic Division, takes a tour of the Everglades via airboat during his recent visit to south Florida.

4

District employee receives national award BYJEANPAVLOV

TheConstructionManagementExcellence(CME)awardwaspresented toPabloVazquez-Ruiz, JacksonvilleDistrict's southPuertoRicoresidentengineer,duringaspecialceremonySept.7attheCorps'AntillesofficeinSanJuan,PuertoRico.DistrictcommanderCol.AlanDoddpresentedVazquez-Ruizwiththenationalaward.Vazquez-Ruizreceivedanadditionalrecognitiononbehalfof SouthAtlanticDivision’s (SAD)ChrisSmith,chiefofConstructionandEngineering,forhissupporttotheDesignandConstructionandEvaluationteamduringtheconstructionofthePortuguesDam.“USACE remains an integral part of our nation’s Army, andthe strength of USACE is our people,” Dodd said. “Workingtogether,weareengineeringsolutionsforthenation’stoughestchallenges. I’mveryproudof theworkUSACE isdoingandthankyou,individuallyandcollectively,forwhatyoudoeachday.”TheCMEisanawardpresentedannuallythatrecognizesdistrictconstructionpersonnelwhoexhibitexcellenceinconstructionmanagementandcontractadministrationactivities.Thismerit-basedawardisopentoallpersonnelinGeneralSchedule0800

occupationalseriespositionsindistrictconstructionorganizationand programs, including military programs, civil works,hazardous,toxicandradioactivewasteorenvironmentalandsupportforothers.“Pablo really deserves this recognition as 2014 ConstructionManagement Excellence Award recipient,” said EdwinCuebas, chief Quality Assurance branch. “Not only for thesuccessofthePortuguesDambutforhis30yearsofexcellentserviceanddedicationtotheCorpsofEngineers.”AnativeofPonceandagraduateoftheUniversityofPuertoRico,Mayaguez campus, Vazquez-Ruiz joined the Corps in1979andhasbeentheresidentengineerforthePonceresidentoffice sinceApril 2001. In 2011 hewas elected JacksonvilleDistrict’sEngineeroftheYear.“This honor is certainly a reflection of Pablo’s exceptionalindividualperformanceasresidentengineer,”saidSteveDuba,chiefofJacksonvilleDistrict’sConstructionDivision.“HewouldbethefirsttosaythatitisalsoareflectionoftheperformanceofawholehostofpeoplethroughouttheDistrictwhocontributedtothesuccessfulcompletionofthePortuguesDam.”♦

Pablo Vazquez-Ruiz receives the Construction Management Excellence award from district commander, Col. Alan Dodd. The award recognizes district personnel who exhibit excellence in construction management and contract administration activities. (Photo provided by Janice Rivera)

5

District employees participate in Hispanic Heritage Month cook-off

TheSecondAnnualHispanicHeritageCook-off contest was held Oct. 2, inthe district’s downtown office. EventcoordinatorJoseBilboasaid,"Hispanicstake pride in meal preparation, thetraditionofeachdishandhowrecipesare passed from "abuela" to "mama"to "hija" (grandmother to mother todaughter).Everycountrythatmakesupthe Hispanic culture uniquely preparemealswhichareentrenchedwith theregion's history whether it's mole fromMexico, ajiaco from Cuba, mofongofromPuertoRicoorpaellafromSpain."Thewinnersofthisyear'scook-offwereColleenShanklin(pandemaiz,asweetMexican cornbread with spicy beef),ToriWhite(ropavieja,ashreddedbeefdish)and IvonneButler (flan,abakedcustard).♦

Employees participate in the second annual Hispanic Heritage Month cook-off. Entrants competed for first place in appetizer, main dish and dessert categories. The sanctioned Equal Employment Opportunity special emphasis activity was held Oct. 2. (Photo courtesy of David Kimery)

BYJEANPAVLOV

Serving their dishes in the Hispanic Heritage Cook-Off contest are (L to R) Colleen Shanklin, Yolanda Bringhurst, Murika Davis and Lisis Batista. (Photo courtesy of David Kimery)

6

Hispanic Heritage Month festivities bring employees and students together BYJEANPAVLOV

Afteramonth-longobservanceofHispanicHeritageMonth(HHM), Jacksonville District held a closing ceremony at itsdowntown office, Oct. 7. The event attended by districtstaff, hosted students from Englewood High School with acompetition,"AreyouSmarterthanaHighSchooler?"Theevent,basedonagameshowhostedbyJeffFoxworthy,hadateamconsistingofCorpsemployeescompetingagainstthehighschoolstudents.Thestudents,whoattendJacksonville’sEnglewoodHighSchool,areparticipantsintheschool’sEnglishforSpeakersofOtherLanguages(ESOL).AccordingtoDuvalCountyPublicSchools,theprogramisdesignedtoimprovethelanguageproficiencyofstudentswhosenativelanguageisnotEnglish.StudentswhoparticipatedintheeventwereallborninSpanish-speakingcountries.Thegamehadthreecategorieswithpointvaluesrangingfrom100to500points.Thestudentschosequestionsgearedtowardcurrenttrendsofartsandentertainment.Thestudentswonthegame.“Thegame-typeatmospherewasafunwayforeveryonetolearnafewthingsabouttheHispanicculturethattheymightnothaveknown,”saidBilbao“andoffersstudentsanopportunitytolearnaboutthedistrictandhowdiversityplaysanimportantroleinbeingasuccessfulorganization.”Bilbao,anengineerinthedistrict’sEngineeringDivision,coordinatedtheevent.OtherHHMactivitiesincludedacook-off,Oct2,withappetizer,maindishanddessertcategories.ThewinnerswereColleenShanklin,ToriWhiteandIvonneButler.

CelebratedeachyearSept.15thruOct.15,HispanicHeritageMonthisanofficial,sanctionedEqualEmploymentOpportunityspecialemphasisactivity.♦

Englewood High School students received a plaque for their participation in the district’s Hispanic Heritage Month closing ceremony held Oct. 7. The students who are in the school’s English for Speakers of Other Languages program, competed against district employees in the “Are you Smarter than a High Schooler?” event. (Photo by Ty Erickson)

Jacksonville District commander, Col. Alan Dodd speaks with students from Englewood High School. The students competed against district employees in a game show type event, “Are you Smarter than a High Schooler?” Dodd told the students the Corps of Engineers needed people of all backgrounds and heritages to make our nation better. v (Photo by Ty Erickson)

7

‘Rising Tides’ documentary explores coastal erosion

Coastal engineer Jason Engle has a relaxing moment with Big Monster Entertainment film crew members prior to an hour-long interview on the Flagler Beach pier. Big Monster interviewed Engle for a "Rising Tides" documentary that explores the topic of coastal erosion on a global scale. The production crew is traveling worldwide, interviewing scientists, engineers, city planning experts, nonprofits, homeowners, government officials, and others to explore all angles and possible solutions. “Ultimately, our goal is to offer an interesting and educational perspective on this issue and let viewers decide what should or should not be done to combat it in the future,” producer Ryan Rossell said. Engle provided a look into historical data and potential impacts of rising sea levels and storm events on Florida, and how Jacksonville District incorporates its findings into coastal processes to reduce risks. The severe erosion of Flagler Beach (behind Engle) threatens the community’s evacuation route and other infrastructure. In August, Jacksonville District presented the Flagler County Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project to the Civil Works Review Board, which unanimously approved it. Leadership anticipates a Chief’s Report this month. (Photo by Susan Jackson)

8

9

10

GET JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT NEWS AND INFORMATION AT:www.saj.usace.army.mil

OR VISIT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA SITES:FACEBOOK

www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict

YOUTUBEwww.youtube.com/JaxStrong

TWITTERwww.twitter.com/JaxStrong

FLICKRwww.flickr.com/photos/JaxStrong

PINTERESTwww.pinterest.com/USACEJax

LINKEDINhttp://bit.ly/jaxlinkedin

Progress continues at Antilles Middle School BYAMANDAPARKER

SinceconstructionbeganontheAntillesElementarySchoolatFortBuchanan,PuertoRicoin2012,theprojectis50percentcomplete.Theschoolconsistsoffivebuildings,A,B,C,D,andEwhichareinvaryingstagesofcompletion.Therearethreeacademicwings,anadministrativewingandagymnasium/cafeteriawing.DistrictprojectmanagerFrankGrantsays,“Everyoneisworkingashardastheycantohaveconstructioncompletedforthe2015-16schoolterm.”GrantsaysoncetheCorpscompletesitswork, “Wewill turn thingsover toDoDEA (DepartmentofDefenseEducationActivity.It[DoDEA]willoutfittheschoolforstudentuse.”

The state-of-the-art school is one of the first DoDEA schoolsto incorporate 21st century design elements. It will serveapproximately890studentsandastaffof120andwillincludeagym,healthservices,artrooms,flexiblestudiolearningareasandexploratoryandoutdoorspaces.Thetwo-storyschoolwillalsohaveanopenfloorplanthatwillaccommodatefutureflexibilityoftheinteriorspacesandencouragecollaboration.Once completed, the school is expected to achieve aLeadershipEngineeringandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)Silverratingasanenergyefficientandenvironmentallysustainableschool.♦

Construction at the Antilles Elementary School's gym is steadily progressing. The gymnasium, one of the school's five wings is having its roof installed. The school is scheduled to be complete for the 2015-16 school year. (Photo courtesy of Frank Grant)

Building Area B, one of the school's academic wings is 50 percent complete. Workers are installing HVAC duct work, metal studs, gypsum board, door and window frames, chilled water piping and electrical conduits and wiring in Building Area B. The state-of-the-art school is one of the first DoDEA schools to incorporate 21st century design elements. (Photo courtesy of Frank Grant)

HappyThanksgiving

11