Salazar, Markey, and Capito Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fund Repairs to High-Hazard Dams

With over 1800 dams in Colorado, Salazar & Markey urge swift passage

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Colorado stands to benefit from $4.95 million in funding to repair and rehabilitate high-hazard dams under bipartisan legislation introduced today by Rep. John Salazar (D-CO), Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO), and Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, (R-WV). 

At a time when more than 340 Colorado dams are classified as “high-hazard,” the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2009 would establish a program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide grant assistance for the rehabilitation and repair of deficient state and local dams. 

Nationwide, the American Society of Civil Engineers infrastructure report card has given American dams a “D” grade.

“All Coloradans stand to benefit from this critically needed funding to repair dams nationwide.  In Colorado, we have over 1800 dams and 741 of them are in my district.  There are 340 Colorado dams classified as high hazard dams – which means they are near people and can potentially endanger life,” said Rep. Salazar.  “We cannot wait for our nation to suffer a catastrophic dam failure that takes life to address this serious issue.” 

“For many communities, dam safety is a matter of life and death,” said Rep. Markey. “We cannot endanger American lives by neglecting these repairs. When dams are not properly maintained they become more susceptible to failure, and they eventually cost more to repair. “

“This report underscores the need to make sure that our state and local dams are safe,” said Capito.  “Dams protect our communities from floods, they help manage water flow and they’re an incredibly important – if not overlooked – piece of our nation’s water infrastructure.  This bill provides necessary support to state and local governments to make sure we’re addressing these needs.” 

Funding through the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act would apply to state and locally-owned dams and would focus strictly on necessary safety improvements.  Salazar’s bill passed the full House during the 110th Congress, but the Senate failed to take up the measure.