Western Region RAMS Program Elements
The Western Region RAMS program includes the following functions/organization:
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Executive Liaison
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Executive Steering Committee (ESC)
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Western Region RAMS Resource Center (the Center)
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Geographic District Offices
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Research and Development Elements
The Center will be a virtual Center location within respective Corps MSC's and geographic district. Lines of communication for the organization are described below and in Appendix B of this document.
Executive Liaison
The Executive Liaison for management of the Western Region RAMS Program formed by agreement among Northwestern Division (NWD), Pacific Ocean Division (POD), and South Pacific Division (SPD) is the South Pacific Division Commander as shown in the RAMS Western Region Program Plan (Appendix A).
Executive Steering Committee
The Executive Steering Committee, as outlined in the RAMS Agreement, will be made up of a representative from each MSC and chaired by the Center Program Manager. Each respective Division commander will make ESC assignments.
The Center
The Center consists of one Center Program Manager, two Center Deputy Program Managers and a Program Analyst. The Center Program Manager will be the primary point of contact and maybe contacted from this web site through the webmaster.
When funds are received for RAMS or RAMS-type work, the Divisions within the Western Region will fill the interim positions above with permanent selections using a regionally appointed panel.
Geographic District Offices
Execution of Western Region RAMS work will usually be accomplished by the Corps of Engineers geographic district offices located in Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Walla Walla, Omaha, Kansas City, Alaska, Japan, Honolulu, and the Far East.
Research and Development Elements
Research and development elements include, but are not limited to, existing government laboratories, contracted capabilities, academic institutions and other research and development oriented technical groups.
Western Region RAMS Program Responsibilities
Executive Liaison
The Executive Liaison will provide executive oversight of the RAMS program as established in the RAMS Western Region Program Plan (Appendix A). Functions of the Executive Liaison include:
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Final approval authority for any changes to the RAMS PMP
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Building top to top networks
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Representing RAMS program internally to Corps senior management
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Guiding the strategic direction the program takes with the stakeholders
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Approval of RAMS policy
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Final decisions on all unresolved disputes
Executive Steering Committee
The Executive Steering Committee will consult with and advise the Center Program Manager on matters concerning RAMS activities. Decisions of the ESC will be by consensus. Primary functions of the ESC include but are not limited to:
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The ESC will assist on issue resolution, policy guidance, and MSC input to the Center.
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The ESC will assist the districts in the development of regional technical experts in RAMS activities.
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The ESC will review changes to the PMP, draft RAMS guidance and draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documents that will be used in implementation of the RAMS program in conjunction with the major stakeholders.
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The ESC will review complaints about the Center operations.
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The ESC will review research and development requirements and advise on research and development projects for RAMS funding.
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The ESC will review disputes concerning the determination of the district work assignment by the Center's Program Manager and forward to the Executive Liaison if consensus cannot be reached on those assignments.
The Center
The Center will program manage all components of RAMS and RAMS-type Civil Works and SFO/WFO funded work within the Western Region and is the Corps lead with all other agencies concerning RAMS issues. RAMS projects include, but are not limited to sites where extraction, processing and enrichment of minerals, initial removal processes, concentration, post extraction processing, tailings, tailing impoundments, dredged materials, water-based separations, mining support systems (roads, pipes, drainage systems, structures, etc.) evaporation beds/ponds, smelting and all other mining activities occurred. In addition, RAMS work includes all aspects of activities associated with abandoned mine lands. The Center will initiate and maintain close relationships with USACE districts that provide formal lines of communication to Federal, State and local stakeholders. The Center will promote the virtual team concept, RAMS funds, and packaging of RAMS activities with multi-agency funding. The Center Program Manager will chair the ESC. The Center staff will be solely dedicated to meeting the requirements of the RAMS program and to providing centralized program and funds management. By applying best businesss practices, the Center will continually strive to improve delivery of high quality products and services on time and at the lowest reasonable cost. If execution problems arise, the Program Manager will investigate the details and consult with the ESC in a change of executing districts. The Center will oversee the execution of assigned RAMS program and seek opportunities for continually improving services to RAMS customers. Primary functions of the Center include, but are not limited to the following:
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The assignment and distribution of work to geographic Districts; monitoring, and upward reporting of that work, and resolution of project issues elevated by the stakeholders. The Center also will monitor work assignments provided directly to districts to assure that stakeholder expectations are met.
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The development and maintenance of RAMS policy and guidance, regional/national agreements with other agencies, technology data bases, RAMS QA/QC programs, RAMS SOP's, and Western Region RAMS workforce capability.
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Responsible for implementing a virtual team approach with ESC advice and input from RAMS virtual team made up of POC's from appropriate districts within the three division region.
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Responsible for developing and maintaining customer account plans with appropriate districts.
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Performs packaged projects as single projects with multiple funding sources.
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Develops RAMS policy and guidance.
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Program Manager of the Center serves as Chairperson for ESC.
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Sole conduit for upward reporting and legislative coordination.
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Coordinate RAMS funding to assure delivery of work and funds to the appropriate district.
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Responsible for compilation and maintenance of a program inventory database, assuring adequate team resources and tracking new technologies.
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Maintain a list of expertise and availability for RAMS work within the Western Region.
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Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to be used in the RAMS Program.
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Assist Districts and MSCs in development of short and long term training needs.
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Develop QA/QC guidance to be used in the RAMS program.
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Management of all RAMS project funds including non-government (delegable to the geographic district offices).
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Coordinate regularly with Mid-Continent and Appalachian Region Centers to develop and ensure consistency within the National RAMS Program.
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Coordinate with National RAMS Executive Liaison (TBD at HQ (Washington)).
MSC and Geographic District Offices
Geographic district offices are responsible for the management and execution of specific projects from conception to implementation and monitoring. This would include but is not limited to the planning, design, construction, and long term monitoring of the assigned projects. The geographic district offices will report the status of its assigned work to the RAMS resource center on a periodic basis. The MSCs and geographic district offices will code RAMS work for ease of accounting and of upward reporting according to Center guidance. The geographic district offices will work through the Center for all coordination with any stakeholders in developing present and future RAMS activities.
Other Resources
The RAMS program may utilize the services of other organizations. The services, include, but are not limited to research, technical support, education, and outreach.
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Acid Drainage Technology Initiative (ADTI) - ADTI can address environmental, water quality problems and safety issues related to abandoned non-coal mines found in the Western United States. ADTI anticipates being a major research organization in the west dealing with abandoned mine land sites.
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Other existing Government/non-Government Capabilities - The RAMS Program may use existing capabilities for research, technical support, education and outreach as required.
Western Region RAMS Program Authorities
Executive Liaison
The Executive Liaison has all the authority of the HQ element for the RAMS program, including, but not limited to:
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Approve and sign RAMS MOA's with other agencies
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Approve revisions to this PMP
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HQ authority for program and legislative contact
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Approve project packages
Executive Steering Committee
The Executive Steering Committee members have the authority to speak for their respective MSC's. The ESC will provide assistance to the Center and provide an additional resource for the Districts and the Center on RAMS issues.
The Center
The Center will perform as HQUSACE staff element under the Executive Liaison. The Center will be a HQ level function funded by project specific and General Expense funds. businesss development efforts for the RAMS Program will be funded from District resources unless supplemental funding is available. The Center shall determine and develop accounting and reporting requirements for the program. The Center is authorized to provide services to support RAMS legislative and policy requirements and manage research and development activities. The Center is authorized to define mutually benefiting projects in a non-augmentation arena that can be packaged as a single project performing the aggregate work authorized under each individual project authorization. All business development, work assigned to and performed by the Corps, including its districts and divisions, will be coordinated and approved through the Center.