Edwards introduces legislation to improve WNC’s dam safety | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.     U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11) today introduced the National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization Act of 2023, to support dam safety in North Carolina's 11th district and nationwide. Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH-02), Congressman Brandon Williams (R-NY-22) and Congresswoman Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) are co-leads of the bipartisan bill. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) are co-leads of the Senate companion bill.

    The National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization Act will reauthorize the National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) - which is set to expire on Sept. 30, 2023 - through fiscal year 2028 while maintaining funding at 2022 levels.

    The NDSP, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is a partnership of states, territories, federal agencies and stakeholders that supports the establishment and maintenance of dam safety programs to reduce risks to life, property and the environment from dam-related hazards.

    The program plays a critical role in protecting communities from the effects of dam failure - including catastrophic failures - while reducing overall dam operation costs and making sure that our nation's dams are equipped to provide essential services.

    Rep. Edwards said, "NC-11 is home to more than 750 dams, each of which are vital to flood control, water conservation, irrigation and recreation for Western North Carolinians. I'm introducing the National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization Act with my House and Senate colleagues to invest in WNC's dam safety and keep our citizens safe for years to come."

    "The recent flooding in New Hampshire underscores how important dam safety and rehabilitation are for our communities," said Rep. Kuster. "The National Dam Safety Program is an important partnership between states and federal agencies to promote dam safety and ensure operators have the resources they need for safety inspections, monitoring, and emergency planning. I am proud to be leading bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the program and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill."

    "I'm committed to investing in our infrastructure, and dams are an integral part of the Eighth District. With 188 dams, and 128 of those classified as 'high hazard' dams in my District, it is imperative that Congress reauthorize the bipartisan National Dam Safety Program," said Rep. Schrier. "The National Dam Safety Program is a huge win for states like Washington to maintain the function and structural integrity of our dams. This legislation will ensure that dams across the country are up to code and not a threat to public safety. I am proud to work across the aisle to introduce this legislation."


    Rep. Williams said, "With over 90 dams in New York's 22nd Congressional District over 100 years old, now more than ever it is critical important funding is available for resiliency efforts-our local communities must be protected. Joining the introduction of the National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization is vital to conserving our local water supply, bolstering irrigation for our agricultural industry, and mitigating flooding in our region."

    "Dams are an essential component of our nation's infrastructure and states need adequate resources to oversee their management," said Senator Cramer. "The National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization Act will allow North Dakota to ensure our dam safety."

    "Dam safety has been underfunded at the federal, state and local levels for many years. There are nearly 6,000 non-federal high hazard potential dams, which are at high risk of failure with probable loss of human life if they were to fail," Senator Feinstein said. "With climate change increasing the risk of extreme flooding and the National Dam Safety Program set to expire this year, now is the time to act and make sure our communities can keep their dams safe."

    David Griffin, P.E., president, Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) said, "On behalf of ASDSO, I want to thank Representatives Chuck Edwards, Ann Kuster, Kim Schrier, and Brandon Williams, and Senators Kevin Cramer and Dianne Feinstein for supporting the need for strong dam safety programs. Reauthorization of this important program will continue federal leadership and needed funding support to reduce the risks associated with dam failure. We encourage Congress to support proposed improvements to the law which will make it more effective across all states."


    "The nation's 92,000 dams have suffered from decades of deferred maintenance and chronic underfunding, threatening the safety of the communities which they serve," said Maria Lehman, president, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). "Recent seasons of record flooding and increasing development downstream of rural dams have not helped. The introduction of the bipartisan National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization Act is an important step to ensuring states have what they need to monitor the thousands of dams in their communities. This program assists states with the vital resources needed to support inspections and monitoring, staffing and training needs, and emergency planning. ASCE commends Congressman Edwards, Congresswoman Kuster, Congresswoman Schrier, Congressman Williams, Senator Cramer and Senator Feinstein for their leadership on this issue, and encourages Congress to pass this needed legislation quickly to help ensure the safety of the nation's dams."

    The National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization Act has been endorsed by the ASCE and the ASDSO.


   Contact: Maria Kim
   Email: Maria.Kim@mail.house.gov