Libby Dam receives excellence recognition
by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
August 3, 2009
It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit. The Libby Dam Project Staff has demonstrated outstanding performance in management efficiency and effectiveness in the use of project personnel and funds while improving their customer service and the project's natural resources. Libby Dam's employees were recently notified that their efforts set the bar higher at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a staff of more than 35,000 Soldiers and Civilians.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced in July that the project staff at Seattle District's Libby Dam was selected as the Corps 2009 National Natural Resources Management Project of the Year. Libby Dam received the award based on the dedicated employees, high level of team achievement and innovative ideas that have resulted in superior mission execution and enhanced stewardship of the project's resources.
On Aug. 3, the award was presented to Col. Anthony O. Wright, Seattle District commander, at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Senior Leaders Conference in Florida.
"Clearly, our entire project staff is part of the team that resulted in this recognition," said Mick Shea, Libby Dam operations manager.
"This is an outstanding accomplishment and a real reflection of the quality of the Libby Dam staff and how well people work together here," said Natural Resources Manager Kirsten Kaiser. Kaiser arrived at Libby Dam in March, taking the place of Natural Resources Manager Dick Wernham, who retired.
"The Corps' goal is to be a great organization in all we do. What the staff found at Libby Dam, working together in teams, both large and small, is the best way to accomplish that level of performance and provide high quality services to the region and the Nation," said Shea.
For the award, the staff at the dam was judged on six categories -- management efficiency, public involvement, public safety, management effectiveness, partnerships and environmental compliance and stewardship.
Leaders in power production and fuel conservation, computerized maintenance management, emergency response teams and spill avoidance, most of what the staff does is not visible to the public. For example, Libby Dam was the first facility in the nation to become compliant in rigorous environmental standards. Known for their flood teams that deploy at a moment’s notice around the nation, the team also supports the Army's efforts in overseas contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The award to the team, signed by the Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp, recognizes the staff for being on the cutting edge, "The dedicated employees have cultivated a team approach to problem solving that 'pulls in' the best ideas at the working level. From environmental compliance to partnering, from public safety to stakeholder involvement, Libby Dam serves as a leader."
Libby is one of the top 10 visited sites in Montana. The Libby Dam staff manages nearly 2,000 acres of land. The Souse Gulch Eagle Nest camera, known also as the Eagle Cam, is turned on in the spring and off in the summer, andis part of the Watchable Wildlife Program at the dam. More than 20,000 viewers from around the world follow the progress of the eagles nesting site at the dam. This is one example of many employee innovations.
Libby Dam spans the Kootenai River, 17 miles upstream from the town of Libby in the heart of beautiful northwestern Montana. The dam was constructed under an internal treaty as part of the plan for the development of water resources in the Columbia River Basin. Benefits from Libby serve the west with water for fish, hydropower, flood risk management and recreation.
Water from Libby's reservoir -- Lake Koocanusa -- passes through both publically owned and federally operated Columbia River Power System dams prior to reaching the Pacific Ocean. Because Libby is the first dam in the system, it is used to store water for use during peak power needs and when the spring melt runs the rivers high, it provides flood risk management all the way to Portland, Ore.
For more information on Libby Dam, visit www.nws.usace.army.mil.
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