|
|
Rep. Johnson expresses concern over health of flood control damsRecent rains again show need for upstream flood control system. Oklahoma Recent rains have once again demonstrated the importance of Oklahoma's upstream flood control dams, many of which are in desperate need of repair said Rep. Rob Johnson (R-Kingfisher), especially in light of the protection these dams provided our state last year. "The recent run of thunderstorms in Oklahoma again shows the need to maintain our flood control structures," Johnson said. "Our state has more flood control structures built under the USDA watershed program than any other state in the union, many of which were built in the 1940s, '50s and '60s with a 50-year lifespan, so you can do the math and see we have a big problem. We need to address the repair needs of these structures soon." Designed to stop the dangerous flash floods of the past, Johnson said the dams, in both rural and urban settings, have for over 50 years protected Oklahomans from the ravages of out-of-control water, saving countless lives and billions of dollars. In 2007 alone, the flood control system prevented over $300 million in flood damage from occurring. Now, however, Johnson said the time has come to repair these silent sentinels. "Each year the state of Oklahoma is saved over $70 million in damage that is prevented because these dams are in place--and during last year's record rainfall they saved over four times that amount," Johnson said. "If we want this protection to continue and if we want to avoid the catastrophe of a dam failure, we need to act now to repair these structures." Johnson said that the Oklahoma Legislature took a major step last year by appropriating over $6.5 for dam rehabilitation. That money was matched by the Federal Government, which provided $13 million, generating over $19 million total for flood control work in the state. "Last year we were able to generate a record amount of funding to fix our flood control dams," Johnson said. "Our appropriation of over $6 million is the most the state has ever dedicated to flood control rehabilitation. That being said, even with the federal match this money doesn't go very far when you consider it costs roughly $1 million per dam for rehabilitation and we have over 1,000 dams that need to be repaired in the next 10 years. We have to do more if we want to ensure the protection these dams have provided for the last 50 years is maintained into the future." 4/21/08 Date: 4/17/08
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
