Colleagues,
The ongoing terminations of federal experts and incentives for leaving the federal government are directly affecting dam safety programs. ASDSO supports a recent statement put out by the American Geophysical Union as follows, “Over the last few weeks, we have been witnessing the Administration dismantle the scientific enterprise. These actions are weakening the economy, undercutting national security and endangering the health and well-being of all Americans.”
The United States is home to over 90,000 dams that provide vital benefits such as flood protection, water supply, clean energy, irrigation and recreation. Without a sustained commitment by those within the engineering and scientific communities overseeing these structures, as well as those making long-term policy and funding decisions, we are indeed endangering the health and well-being of the American public.
It is well known within the dam safety community that a series of dam failures in the 1970s and 80s collectively killed more than five hundred people and caused billions of dollars in property and economic damages. It was clear at the highest levels of federal and state government that the way to reduce risk and improve public safety was to vastly improve leadership and funding and increase the expertise in the scientific fields touching dam engineering. And we’ve done that as data indicates. We have reduced risks associated with dams in the past forty plus years. But this must be a constant push to improve, as dams age, and populations grow below dams. We don’t want to go back to the 70s.
Today there are experts in 24 federal agencies which coordinate programs, own and/or regulate approximately 5,000 dams, or contribute to improving public safety and the science of dam engineering through research and data analysis.
Take a look at the agencies where scientists and engineers are responsible for dams and dam safety within the federal government.
Department of Commerce:
- NOAA, National Weather Service
Department of Defense:
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Department of the Air Force
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Department of the Army
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Department of the Navy
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Department of Energy
Department of the Interior:
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Bureau of Reclamation
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife
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National Park Service
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Bureau of Indian Affairs
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Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement
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Bureau of Land Management
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U.S. Geological Survey
Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration
Department of State, International Boundary and Water Commission
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Tennessee Valley Authority
US Department of Agriculture:
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Agricultural Research Service
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U.S. Forest Service
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Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Rural Housing Service
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Rural Utilities Service
US Power Marketing Administrations
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Bonneville Power
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Western Area Power
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Southeastern Power
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Southwestern Power
We at ASDSO want our members and colleagues who work in the U.S. government to know how sad we are for what many of you are going through right now, but we also want you to know that there is still a dam safety community supporting you. Our work and commitment doesn’t stop. We have opened a new job posting marketplace, free and open to all who want to use it. We have also created an anonymous form where those directly or indirectly impacted can share thoughts, stories, and suggestions with ASDSO leadership. I remind all of our members to make sure your ASDSO Portal login is up-to-date and please utilize the ASDSO Collaborate communities to stay in touch with other members. Watch for advocacy updates and see how you can support the efforts.
These disruptions will hopefully not last. We encourage everyone to tell your representatives and senators how important these roles at the federal level are. And remind them that suspending funding for federal grants will make Americans less safe, secure and prosperous. Our voices need to be heard.
Lori C. Spragens
ASDSO Executive Director
