“(Akaka), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) recently introduced the Dam Safety Act of 2012. The bill will extend funding authorization for the National Dam Safety Program, which provides grants to improve state dam safety programs through training, technical assistance, inspection, and research.”

Quote from Akaka:

The importance of properly maintaining aging dams across the country cannot be overstated. The collapse of the Ka Loko Dam on Kauai in 2006 tragically caused seven deaths and devastated homes and farmland. The National Dam Safety Program helps ensure that dangerous dam conditions are not overlooked so that we avoid these preventable disasters.

According to Akaka’s office, the Dam Safety Act of 2012 would reauthorize the National Dam Safety Program for Fiscal Years 2012 through 2016 at $13.9 million per year.

—Chad Blair

Photo of Hoover Dam courtesy Northfielder.