Dam Legislation Update

There are two critical pieces of legislation anticipated in the coming months. First is the reauthorization of the National Dam Safety Act. Last authorized near the close of the 109th congress in 2006, this act provides for federal leadership and assistance to the state-level programs including training and research. This Act will expire on September 30, 2011.

The next important piece of legislation is the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act. This would provide funding to the states for repair, rehabilitation, and removal of publically-owned dams.

By the year 2020, 85% of the dams nation-wide will be more than 50 years old. In New Hampshire 43 of the 274 state-owned dams have deficiencies that require major reconstruction or repair. Correcting these deficiencies would require about $15 million in investment.

ASCE has been working with Senator Akaka’s office to introduce both bills, however he would like to introduce them at the same time as the House counterparts. Introducing both dam bills in the House has been a bit of a challenge. These bills were anticipated to be introduced  before Congress went home for August recess, but with the recent debt ceiling and aviation crises, they were delayed. Let your representatives know that the Dam Safety is important to New Hampshire and both the House and Senate will benefit from their co-sponsorship.

Passage of these  bills is only part of the solution. In New Hampshire there are a total of 1,964 privately-owned dams. Assuming a similar percentage of deficiencies as seen in the state-owned dams, approximately 314 dams privately-owned dams would require major reconstruction, with about $157 million of investment needed.

It will be important to track this critical legislation. We need to let our congressional delegation know how important dams are to our safety and quality of life, and be vigilant that the bills make steady progress through the federal process. In the last congress, versions of the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act progressed through both houses, but stalled in committee without the political will to move forward before the end of the session.