Rep. Salazar’s Dam Safety Bill Sails Through Committee

With over 1800 dams in Colorado, Salazar urges swift passage

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the powerful Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. John Salazar’s bill, H.R. 3224 – Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2007, moving it one step closer to becoming law.

“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.”

Salazar’s bill authorizes the FEMA Administrator to provide grants for the rehabilitation and repair of publicly-owned dams.  H.R. 3224 provides $200 million over 5 years to begin repair on our nation’s ageing dam infrastructure and requires states to match 35% of the funds necessary to rehabilitate a dam.

“HR 3224 is a huge first step, to improving the safety of critical dams,” said Jack Byers, deputy state engineer, Colorado Division of Water Resources. “I can't say enough about how this bill will provide the initial funding to dams critically in need of repair for public safety.  I commend Congressman Salazar for his interest and leadership in dam safety and water resources. He was a key water legislator during his stint in the Colorado legislature and I’m thrilled to see him addressing national dam safety issues.”

“This bill creates important opportunities for Colorado’s many dams that are currently under repair orders from the state to finance rehabilitation and to restore historical storage capacities,” said Chris Treese, Manager of the Colorado River District.

Rep. Salazar, the only Coloradan on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, secured broad bipartisan support for the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act assuring passage out of Committee today.  The next step for Salazar’s bill is consideration by the full House, likely after Congress returns from the August break.

“All Coloradans stand to benefit from this critically needed funding for repairs to dams across Colorado and the United States,” concluded Salazar.  “I will continue to push this issue through Congress until it becomes law.”