Sunday, May 18, 2008

3.2 National Dam Safety Program

According to the Dam Safety and Security Act of 2002, the National Dam Safety Program exists to reduce the risks to life and property from dam failure in the United States through the establishment and maintenance of an effective national dam safety program to bring together the expertise and resources of the Federal and non-Federal communities in achieving national dam safety hazard reduction.

The National Dam Safety Program Act was signed into law on Oct. 12, 1996 as part of the Water Resources development Act of 1996. It was amended by the Dam Safety and Security Act of 2002 to last through 2006 (PL 107 – 310). It is administered through the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In summary the program was established to improve safety and security around dams by
Providing assistance grants to state dam safety agencies to assist them in improving their regulatory programs
Funding research to enhance technical expertise as dams are built and rehabilitated
Establishing training programs for dam safety inspectors
And creating a National Inventory of Dams

Additionally, the act calls for FEMA to provide education to the public, to dam owners and others about the need for strong dam safety programs, nationally and locally, and to coordinate partnerships among all players within the dam safety community to enhance dam safety.

FEMA has been working to protect Americans from dam failure through the National Dam Safety Program (NDSP). The NDSP provides information about dam safety research and training.

FEMA dam safety guidelines
· Emergency Action Planning for Dam Owners (FEMA 64)
· Earthquake Analyses and Design of Dams (FEMA 65)
· Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety (FEMA 93)
· Selecting and Accommodating Inflow Design Floods for Dams (FEMA 94)
· Glossary of Terms (FEMA 148)
· Hazard Potential Classification System for Dams (FEMA 333)


Resource:
National Dam Safety Program PL 104-303, Amended by the Dam Safety and Security Act of 2002
ASDSO, “What is the National Dam Safety and Security Program and Why Should It Continue?”

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