Project Highlights
ASDSO ADVOCATES FOR STRONG DAM SAFETY PROGRAMS AND YOU CAN TOO!


 

Federal Legislative Goals:

  • Push for full funding of all federal laws that improve dam safety.
  • Coordinate a lobbying effort for all federal legislative initiatives including encouraging grass-roots lobbying.
  • Encourage  alternative sources of funding for dam rehabilitation and repairs through federal/state funding for infrastructure improvement.
  • Increase general dam safety awareness in Washington, D.C. to keep at the forefront the need for funding of the National Dam Safety Program and other federal programs.
  • Awareness/Tracking and determination of action with regard to laws and potential laws that affect dam safety.

State Legislative Initiatives:

  • Increase network of support for states when dam safety programs are threatened
  • Track all legislative changes and publish summaries. Provide benchmark data to states on dam safety policies.
  • Assist state dam safety agencies with legislative awareness to give them the tools/information needed when programs are threatened.
  • Awareness/Tracking and determination of action with regard to laws and potential laws that affect state dam safety.
  • Develop a proactive policy at the state level to increase dam safety awareness.
  • Explore funding mechanisms for state dam safety programs and assist states in maintaining and increasing their budgets.
ASDSO's 2013 Priority Legislative Issues


1. Reauthorization and appropriations for the National Dam Safety Program (P.L 109-460). Program expired in September 2011.
2. Appropriations to continue the success of the USDA Small Watershed Dam Rehabilitation Program.
3. Appropriations for updating and maintaining the  Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams Program.
4. Passage of a National Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act.
5. Creation of a state dam safety regulatory program in Alabama (the one state remaining with no dam safety legislation on the books).
6. Strengthening of dam safety laws in all states.
7. Support for a National Levee Safety Program.
 

For information on current legislation, see http://thomas.loc.gov.
What Can You Do!


1. Contact Your state and federal legislators.

2. Write the Media--Use the talking points available here to keep your local media informed of dam safety issues.

3. Spread the Word--Tell a friend to take action, too.
Partners Increase Support for Dam Safety


Partnering with other organizations allows for a stronger voice in Washington. ASDSO is partnering with the American Society of Civil Engineers and its Government Relations office in Washington, DC. Spearheaded by ASCE, the Water Resources Coalition will lead the way toward getting a National Dam Rehabilitation Program underway. Other partner organizations include the National Watershed Coalition. ASDSO sits on NWC's steering committee and works  to increase awareness about the need for rehabilitation of this nation’s 10,000 small watershed protection and flood control dams.

 
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