Pete Domenici: “I rise today to introduce crucial legislation regarding the safety of America's Dams. Ensuring the safety of the Bureau…”

“I rise today to introduce crucial legislation regarding the safety of America's Dams. Ensuring the safety of the Bureau of Reclamation's dams must be a national priority. One of the surest ways to protect the integrity of this existing infrastructure is to ensure that adequate funding is accessible to properly maintain and rehabilitate these great structures. The Bureau of Reclamation has existing authority that would allow them to expend approximately $974 million dollars on Safety of Dam Projects; but only $109 million dollars of this authorization remains uncommitted. By the end of fiscal year 2002, over 61 dam modifications had been completed under existing authority. Over the next several years, at least 46 projects have been identified as critical. Unfortunately, these projects alone represent an additional authorization need of close to $540 million. Thus, a huge gap exists and it is something we must correct. The bill that I am introducing today, would raise the current ceiling on the Safety of Dams Program to meet the additional $540 million needed and by so doing to meet the needs already identified by Reclamation in 11 of the 17 Reclamation States. Let me take a few moments to highlight exactly what it is I am talking about. The United States Bureau of Reclamation currently has reservoirs impounded by 457 dams and dikes. Of these structures, 362 dams and dikes would likely cause loss of life if they were to fail.”