Dam Safety Regulations & National Dam Safety Program

Transcription

1 BIA Summer Water Resources Training Dam Safety Inspections Part 3 Dam Safety Legislation & Regulation July 28, 2012 Presented by Michael Johnson, Ph.D., P.E. Dam Safety Regulations & National Dam Safety Program President Carter directed the USACE to inspect the nation s non-federal high-hazard dams. Program lasted from Established the dam safety programs in most states. Created the National Dam Safety Program National Dam Safety Act reauthorized in 2006, currently pending another reauthorization.

2 FEMA National Dam Safety Program Purpose: Reduce risk to life and property from dam failure in the U.S. by bringing together the expertise and resources of the Federal and non-federal communities in achieving national dam safety hazard reduction. FEMA NDSP Initiatives Grant Assistance to the States Provides support for improving state dam safety programs Dam Safety Research Program of technical and archival research Dam Safety Training For state dam safety staff and inspectors

3 National Dam Safety Review Board Purpose: Monitor the safety and security of dams Advise FEMA on national dam safety policy Consult with FEMA on coordinating a National Dam Safety Program Advise FEMA on distributing funds to states Monitor state implementation of the assistance program. National Dam Safety Review Board Members include: FEMA Representatives from federal agencies Five state dam safety officials One member from the private sector.

4 Federal Interagency Committee on Dam Safety (ICODS) Purpose: Establishes and maintains federal programs, policies, and guidelines to enhance dam safety and security. Serves as a forum for federal activities in dam safety and security. Self-Regulation of Federally- Owned Dams U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Bureau of Reclamation U.S. Forest Service International Boundary and Water Commission

5 Regulation of U.S. Dams 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% State agencies Federal agencies 95% of U.S. dams are regulated by the states. Federal Regulation of Non-Federally Owned Hydropower Dams Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates the safety of non-federal hydropower dams.

6 State Governments Regulate safety of non-federally owned dams within their state. 49 states have established Dam Safety Programs. 86% of dams in U.S. are state-regulated. State of Arizona regulates about 250 nonfederal dams. 1890: Walnut Grove Dam near Prescott kills : Lyman Dam near St. Johns kills : Arizona begins to regulate Dam Safety 1971: Permanent Program Established History of Arizona s Dam Safety Program

7 Dam Safety Mission Centennial Dam Failure (1997) To maximize protection of human life & property against dam failure Definition of a Jurisdictional Dam Any artificial barrier for the impounding or diversion of water either 25 feet or more in height or having a storage capacity of more than 50 acre-feet. Exempt Structures: Federal Owned and Regulated Mine Tailings and Release-Contained Barriers Highway and Road Embankments 1 ac-ft 325,000 gallons 50 ac-ft Million gallons

8 225 Earthen Embankment Dams 19 Concrete and Masonry Dams

9 1 Inflatable Rubber Dam Number of Dams Constructed Current Year Completed

10 Primary Purpose of Jurisdictional Dams 25% 61% 14% Flood Control & Storm Water Management Industrial & Mining Water Supply & Storage Dam Ownership Private Local governments State of Arizona Public utilities Indian tribes 119 dams 82 dams 32 dams 11 dams 1 dam

11 Hazard Potential Classifications Class Loss of Life Economic or Intangible Losses Number in Arizona High Likely Low to High 102 Significant Not Likely Low to High 32 Low Not Likely Low 103 Very Low Not Likely Limited to Owner or 100-year Floodplain 8 Major Program Areas Remediation of Safety Deficient Dams Dam Safety Inspections Construction Permitting and Oversight Emergency Action Planning (EAPs)

12 : 30 High Hazard Dam Repairs and Removals 10 projects received funding from Dam Repair Fund Notable Projects: River Reservoir City Dam Magma Dam Powerline Dam McMicken Dam Emergency Repair of River Reservoir Dam 2004 Declaration of Emergency ADWR, ADEM, AGFD, Apache County Completed December 2005 (on Budget)

13 2006 Repair of City Dam Essential for Water-supply ADWR, USBR, Williams Completed October 2006 (on Budget) Top Issues in Dam Safety Risk of Failure Hazard Creep Lack of Financing for and Attention to Maintenance, Upgrade and Repair Lack of Adequate Authority and Resources Lack of Emergency Preparedness In Case of Failure Lack of Public Awareness

14 Model Dam Safety Program Operation & Maintenance Programs Inspection & Monitoring Emergency Action Planning (EAPs) Trends in Dam Safety Coordination with Emergency Management and Floodplain Management Emergency Action Planning Public Awareness Hazard Creep Site Specific PMP Studies Developing risk approaches to improve decision making in the long term management of existing infrastructure

15 Questions?