Vol 25, No 5

Presentation Synopsis: Findings of errors of one to three feet in some of the elevations used in design, construction, maintenance, and evaluation of hurricane and flood control structures in New Orleans highlighted the need to ensure that our flood control and navigation projects across the country are referenced to the proper vertical datums to correctly compensate for subsidence/sea level rise. Furthermore we need to confirm that these vertical datums are adequately referenced to nationwide spatial reference systems used by other Federal and local agencies responsible for flood forecasting, hurricane surge and inundation modeling, navigation, flood insurance rate maps, hurricane evacuation route planning, coastal boundary delineation, bathymetric mapping, and topographic mapping. This 2-hour overview session is designed for Design Engineers, Project Managers, Supervisors, Planners, Surveyors, GIS Specialists and anyone involved with the overall planning, design, and execution of civil works projects. The overview session defines the requirements for connecting Flood Control, Navigation, Shore Protection, and Hurricane Protection civil works projects to the National Spatial Reference System as well as the local hydraulic/ tidal datums.

Presenter Bio: Mark works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering Research and Development Center, Topographic Engineering Center, and is currently responsible for providing district support, and the development and execution of training sessions related to geodesy; more specifically, vertical datums and how they support our civil works projects. Prior to coming to the Topographic Engineering Center, Mark served as Chief of the New Orleans District’s Survey Section, responsible for providing technical and administrative support for the District’s surveying and mapping activities. Mark also served as a member of the Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force engaged in the development of the report, Volume 2, “Geodetic Vertical and Water Level Datums”.

Mark is an ACSM Certified Hydrographic Surveyor and for the past 15+ years has served as a USACE instructor for Surveying III “Advanced Surveying and Mapping Techniques”, Surveying IV “GPS Surveying”, or GPS for GIS.

Meeting Location: Fort Snelling Officer's Club near Post Road. See map at: http://www.same-msp.org/_images/934thOfficersClub.jpg

Meeting Agenda and Cost:	Social/gathering time will be from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM in the Ballroom of the Officers Club.
	Technical Presentation will be from 11:00 AM to about 1:30 PM.
	Lunch will be served from NOON to 12:30 PM in the Ballroom.
	Cost of the luncheon, payable at the door, will be $15.00. Please make checks payable to "SAME-MSP".
	2-PDHs for this Presentation.

Luncheon Menu: Field greens with balsamic vinaigrette and grilled sourdough bread filled with ham, sliced granny smith apples, and melted brie.

RSVP Info: Due to limited seating for this event, reservations are required. Please submit RSVPs no later than Thursday, May 21st to Jim Mosner. Either leave a voice mail message with Jim at 651-290-5512 or send an email message to james.b.mosner@usace.army.mil.

Highlights of the February Meeting

Mark Angelo and COL Christensen

Post President Mark Angelo (l) thanks COL Jon Christensen for his briefing of what the anticipated workload is for the Corps of Engineers for the remainder of FY 2009 and going into FY 2010. Highlights of COL Christensen's discussion were the expected impacts are from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 bill that was recently signed into law, the results of the long-awaited Omnibus Appropriation bill that was recently passed, and what future work may result from this year's spring floods in the Red River of the North watershed.

In addition to talking about the workload in the St. Paul District, COL Christensen also touched upon the expected workload in Rock Island District as well as the portions of the New Orleans area flood risk reduction system that the "upper five districts" are assisting the New Orleans District with.

Throughout his presentation, COL Christensen stressed the District's committed to work with architect-engineer firms; construction firms (large and small); and local, State and Federal governments to successfully execute a significant program in the years ahead.

Ballot for New Post Officers

At the May meeting we will hold our election and induction of Post Officers. The proposed slate includes the following:

Post President: Steve Alm (Bonestroo)

Vice President: Chris Afdahl (St Paul District Corps of Engineers)

Secretary: Disa Wahlstrand (Ayres Associates)

Treasurer: Jon Petersen (St Paul District Corps of Engineers)

Young Member Vice President: Jane Flewellen (St Paul District Corps of Engineers)

Director: Ben Tustison (MBK Engineers)

Director: Rick Femrite (St Paul District Corps of Engineers)

NCO Council Representative: Brian Lintonen (106th Engrs, WI Army National Guard)

Annual Golf Tourney is coming up soon -- Get your foursomes together -- Sponsor a Hole

Golfers and Hole Sponsors WANTED!!!

The annual golf tournament, which is our major fundraising event for the Post's Scholarship and Mentoring Fund is quickly approaching ... it's time to round up your favorite foursome and make your reservation. Please download the Golf Flyer, fill-in the blanks, and send it to Tim Thoreen at 651-365-8512 or by email to tthoreen@ch2m.com.

Companies/Organizations willing to be Hole Sponsors and/or donate Door Prizes are also needed. If you are willing to be a sponsor are to bring a door prize, please contact Tim Thoreen at 651-365-8512 or by email to tthoreen@ch2m.com.

	Society of American Military Engineers

	Minneapolis-Saint Paul Post