Rapid Response Recovery Plans
"Certain dam projects, especially some large federal dams, provide a wide range of economic, environmental, and social benefits to a broad community. These benefits can include irrigation, electric power generation, “black start” capabilities, water storage, recreation, navigation, flood mitigation, and control of sediment/hazardous materials and mine tailings. Disruption of such projects for extended periods of time could devastate regional or national economies. While not necessarily providing the same level of regional or national benefits, disruptions at smaller dams may extensively impact the local community and dam owner. A recovery plan can be essential for delivering project benefits by quickly repairing damage to at least partially restore project functions and preparing for long-term repairs to fully restore the project."[1]
"The primary objective of a recovery plan is to efficiently restore the dam project to a functional condition. To accomplish this objective, the organization must address the hazards likely to impact each critical component of the facility and its operations (e.g., natural, accidental, or intentional) and plan to mitigate impacts and restore project function in collaboration with the response phase to minimize economic losses. The close collaboration between the response and recovery phases means that some concepts listed in this chapter may fall within an organization’s response plan. Absent the existence of a response plan, immediate and short-term recovery actions can be included in a recovery plan."[1]
"The development of a recovery plan starts with identifying the facility’s critical components and the type of hazard(s) likely to damage each component, then describing the magnitude of damage expected. Based on the probable damage estimation, the organization develops a list of short- and long-term options to minimize consequences (e.g., procurement of equipment or supplies, agreements with vendors for rental equipment or repairs, and communication with relevant authorities). This analysis of components concludes with documenting the recommended actions from the list of options most likely to limit the magnitude of the consequences. Other elements of a recovery plan document the internal emergency response actions critical to the success of the recovery phase, such as communication, reference materials, and meals and lodging."[1]
"Implementation of the recovery plan should begin as soon as possible after the catastrophic event (e.g., dam failure, loss or damage to a powerhouse, or loss of main transmission line). The recovery phase can overlap with actions taken during the response phase to return the dam to service. Recovery phases include “initial” (within one week) and “long-term” activities (recovery could continue for months), depending upon the magnitude of impact on facility operations (e.g., dams, powerhouses, and water conveyance)."[1]
The terms “recovery plan” or “rapid response recovery plan” are used by various agencies to refer to the same type of document. Some include the equivalent of a recovery plan as a section of another document, such as an emergency action plan.
Citations:
Revision ID: 7847
Revision Date: 03/28/2024