ASDSO Resolution : Support for Tailings Dam Safety

WHEREAS, ASDSO advocates for and leads efforts to improve the safety of all dams to reduce risk to lives, property and the environment from dam failure, including mine tailings dams; and

WHEREAS, the mining industry is a critical component of state and national economies, providing numerous benefits that enhance the standard of living for mankind, and mine tailings dams are an essential part of that industry; and

WHEREAS, a well-maintained and properly designed mine tailings dam greatly reduces risk of failure to downstream lives, property, and the environment; and

WHEREAS, the appropriate regulation of dams contributes to the safe design and operation, and reduces the probability of failure, including mine tailings dams; and

WHEREAS, many state dam safety programs in the United States have regulatory authority overmine tailings dams and would benefit from an enhanced dialogue on these important facilities; and

WHEREAS, the objectives of ASDSO are to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences in state dam safety programs and issues, to provide information and assistance to state dam safety programs, and to improve efficiency and effectiveness of state dam safety programs; and

WHEREAS, ASDSO has a proven track record of accomplishing these objectives for water dams, including the reduction of the risk of failure; and

WHEREAS, ASDSO is uniquely positioned to coordinate with the United States Society of Dams and other stakeholders with a common interest in the safety of mine tailings dams;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors and the State Representatives of ASDSO, meeting on September 11, 2016, that ASDSO acknowledges the importance of safe tailings dams to the economy and safety of individual states and the nation, and will utilize its resources to support state dam safety programs with regulatory authority over tailings dams.

James T. Pawloski, President
September 14, 2016