Senate snag for bill mandating annual dam-safety inspections

    Critics question whether the push is too broad and shortchanged on funding.

    Under Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's bill, the Bureau of Reclamation would have to annually inspect all of its inventory of dams, levees and canals and prioritize projects to repair or rehabilitate those in need.

    That would cover 13 federally owned dams in Utah. Some 37 federally owned dams in the state are large enough to be covered by a previous law that mandates routine inspections. Most of the more than 900 dams in Utah are privately owned and subject to safety inspections by the state Division of Water Rights.

    Reid, a Nevada Democrat, says the federal bill is necessary to assure Americans they don't have to fear flooding because of crumbling facilities. But the Bureau of Reclamation opposes the legislation, saying that while the agency shares the goal, the bill covers too much territory and may undermine its current effort to inspect dams and levees and prioritize the need for rehabilitation.

    Dan Keppen, executive director of the Family Farm Alliance, which represents small farmers, ranchers and irrigation districts, also praised the bill's goal, but said it creates new or redundant programs when a detailed inspection program already exists.

    "One-size does not fit all and blanket inspections for all Reclamation facilities are not appropriate or cost-effective," Keppen testified.

    Several Western Democratic senators disagree.

    Many Western dams are simply worn out, argued Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

    "It is long past time, in my opinion, that we take a proactive stand on improving our infrastructure," he said.

    Reid cited a failed levee in Nevada that flooded some 590 homes as just one example of why more inspections are needed. In testimony at a previous hearing, Reid said many of the Bureau of Reclamation's 673 facilities are over 50 years old and some are 90 to 100.

    "Sadly, even the Bureau of Reclamation isn't well-informed about the condition of many of these," Reid said in April.

    Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, says he supports the aim of the legislation but is concerned that it may cost so much money it could divert from other programs. The senator said in a statement that "clearly our first priority must be to ensure the safety of facilities which pose the greatest threats to population areas."

    The Congressional Research Service reported recently that the Bureau of Reclamation is preparing a summary of the condition of its aging dams and other structures, but that the document has not been circulated outside the Bush administration.

    Johnson declined at the hearing to say when the report would be issued.