House Panel Passes Critical Flood Control Dam Funding

On July 12, the House Agriculture Committee approved a farm bill that would authorize $85 million a year through FY 2017 for the Small Watershed Rehabilitation (SWR) program, the nation’s only dam rehabilitation program. This program assists local communities with improving aging flood control dams, thereby helping to address public health and safety needs before a tragic dam failure occurs.   In addition to the $85 million annual authorization level, the bill includes $250 million for the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), which can also be utilized for further supplementing the SWR program.  It is important to note, however, that these authorized funds can only be realized when and if lawmakers actually appropriate the funds at the authorized levels. Watershed infrastructure is a vital component to the nation’s flood control efforts and this infrastructure sorely needs improvement.  Currently, $15 billion worth of 11,000 flood control dams and conservation practices in 2,000 watersheds provides $2 billion in annual benefits to over 47 million citizens. As it stands, nearly one-fifth of those 11,000 dams have reached the end of their 50-year planned service life. By 2016, almost two-thirds of the watershed dams will reach this milestone. Last month, the Senate approved a farm bill that includes the same $85 million authorization level, but not additional funds for the CCC. AGC continues to strongly advocate for sorely needed investment in our nation’s aging infrastructure, including its dams. For more information, contact Jimmy Christianson at 703-837-5310 or christiansonj@agc.org.