Oct. 31, 2007
Rahall Backs Bill to Repair Dangerous Dams
By HNN Staff
from Rahall news release
Washington, DC (HNN) – The U.S. House of Representatives, Monday, passed legislation supported by Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-WV, aimed at improving the safety of our nation’s deficient dams.
“In 2006, 323 of West Virginia’s 341 publicly owned dams were classified as hazardous, meaning they are in a condition and location that pose a potential threat to the public,” said Rahall. “With alarming statistics like these, the need to increase financing opportunities for the repair of our aging dams is obvious.”
H.R. 3224, the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2007, would authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a grant program to assist states in repairing publicly owned dams that fail to meet minimum safety standards and pose an unacceptable risk to the public. The program would provide $200 million over 5 years and require states to match 35 percent of the funding needed to rehabilitate a dam.
“Those of us who remember the tragic dam failure at Buffalo Creek know how vitally important it is to keep the safety of West Virginia’s many dams in check,” said Rahall. “Unfortunately, the needs of America’s basic infrastructure are outpacing the funding devoted to it in recent years. That has to change, and, for that reason, I strongly supported this bill.”
Rahall is a long-time advocate of improving West Virginia’s aging water resources and infrastructure. As Vice Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rahall helped secure broad bipartisan support for the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act in the House.
The U.S. Senate must now approve its own version of the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act. The two versions will have to be reconciled in a conference committee and then sent back to both bodies for final passage before being sent to the White House to be signed into law.
Rahall Backs Bill to Repair Dangerous Dams
By HNN Staff
from Rahall news release
Washington, DC (HNN) – The U.S. House of Representatives, Monday, passed legislation supported by Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-WV, aimed at improving the safety of our nation’s deficient dams.
“In 2006, 323 of West Virginia’s 341 publicly owned dams were classified as hazardous, meaning they are in a condition and location that pose a potential threat to the public,” said Rahall. “With alarming statistics like these, the need to increase financing opportunities for the repair of our aging dams is obvious.”
H.R. 3224, the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2007, would authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a grant program to assist states in repairing publicly owned dams that fail to meet minimum safety standards and pose an unacceptable risk to the public. The program would provide $200 million over 5 years and require states to match 35 percent of the funding needed to rehabilitate a dam.
“Those of us who remember the tragic dam failure at Buffalo Creek know how vitally important it is to keep the safety of West Virginia’s many dams in check,” said Rahall. “Unfortunately, the needs of America’s basic infrastructure are outpacing the funding devoted to it in recent years. That has to change, and, for that reason, I strongly supported this bill.”
Rahall is a long-time advocate of improving West Virginia’s aging water resources and infrastructure. As Vice Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rahall helped secure broad bipartisan support for the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act in the House.
The U.S. Senate must now approve its own version of the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act. The two versions will have to be reconciled in a conference committee and then sent back to both bodies for final passage before being sent to the White House to be signed into law.
