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Record rains in neighboring states again shows the importance of maintaining Oklahoma's flood control infrastructureMore than $30 million still needed to repair damage from the storms of 2007 Oklahoma Recent rains in surrounding states should serve as a reminder of the repair needs of Oklahoma's aging flood control dams and conservation infrastructure caused by the record rains of 2007, said Scotty Herriman, president of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts. "The terrible flooding we have witnessed in states like Texas, Missouri and Arkansas should remind us of what happened in Oklahoma last year," Herriman said. "Oklahoma's flood control dams and conservation infrastructure suffered major damage that must be repaired if we are to continue to provide the protection our citizens have enjoyed for the last half century." According to information released by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, more than $30 million is needed to repair the damage to Oklahoma's flood control dams and conservation infrastructure caused by the flooding of 2007. Of this money, over $15 million alone is needed to address dam rehabilitation and operation and maintenance needs. The Conservation Commission has also proposed that $8 million be made available to landowners on a cost-share basis to repair damaged conservation practices such as terraces, waterways, and farm ponds and that another $3 million be appropriated to restore riparian systems damaged in Caddo County. Funds have also been requested to address road-side erosion and purchase equipment. According to Herriman, if this money is not made available, Oklahoma will put itself in the position to suffer even greater damage when our state again sees flash flooding. "Oklahoma dodged a bullet this week by missing the brunt of the storms that hit our neighboring states," Herriman said. "I shudder to think what would have happened if the flood control dams that suffered damage last year would have been called on to hold back these record amounts of rain. The headlines would have been talking about the loss of property and lives in our state instead of in the states surrounding us." In addition to the need for emergency dollars, Herriman also pointed out the need for basic operation and maintenance funds for upstream flood control structures to avoid breaches on Oklahoma dams like those suffered on levies in Missouri over the Easter weekend. These levy breaks, which led to the evacuation of over 200 homes, were due mostly to the lack of funds for the repair of rusted pipes and for the removal of trees and other brush from the levies themselves. According to Herriman, Oklahoma's flood control dams face similar maintenance challenges. "The damage that appears to have caused these levy breaks is very similar to the problems facing many of our states flood control dams, due to the shortage of operation and maintenance funds," Herriman said. "Aging pipes and gates, trees and other brush and natural erosion are all weakening many of these structures and we just don't have enough money to keep up with the damage. This should really serve as a wake up call for Oklahoma." While action has yet to take place in the legislature on conservation funding, Herriman pointed to earlier support for conservation's emergency package by Governor Brad Henry, the Senate Rural Republican Caucus and the chairs of both the House and Senate Natural Resources budget funding committees as hopeful signs that this package will be part of a final budget deal before the end of May. "We know we still have a long way to go through the budget process in the state Legislature," Herriman said. "We are hopeful though that when that last gavel falls in May the Legislature and the governor will have helped us insure the safety of our fellow citizens by providing Conservation Districts and the Conservation Commission the funding needed to repair the damage caused by the floods of 2007."
Date: 4/24/08 Advertisement
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