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#Post#: 63--------------------------------------------------
Unsafe Embankment Dam Remediation is a Nationwide Issue not just
Rochester, NY
DIR By: Doug K
Date: June 28, 2018, 10:13 am
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Since this Erie Canal Embankment Remediation Project started,
I've been trying to understand why any group would stand in the
way of Public Safety, like the Stop the Clear Cut Facebook Group
(STCC) has decided to do fighting FOR the Trees that appeared to
be slowly destroying these dams.
According to the NY Canal Corp (NYCC) & it's parent the New York
Power Authority(NYPY), the issue with the large woody vegetation
along the Erie Canal was two-fold, it was an obstacle to the
proper inspection of the Embankment Dam (which hasn't been done
in 75 years) and the Tree Roots are causing a slow decay of the
Structural Integrity of these Earthen Flood Control Structures.
All of this was supported by an extensive Engineering Inspection
Report that showed many of the Erie Canal Embankments have
reached the FEMA High to Very High Risk state... some needing
immediate repair. The facts are clear, there is Engineering &
Science backing up the claims...seems like a solid case.
So at this point you have to decide if you "believe the bad
news" or brush off the words "Unsafe Embankment Dam". I was
skeptical at first but DID my homework and found enough to
convince me that neither NYCC or NYPA were lying about the
problem or it's severity. They have made a very significant
statement with their Embankment Remediation Project, simply
stated: MANY Rochester Area neighborhoods are living below the
water level of the Erie Canal and it's water Impounding
Embankment Dam system AND are under THREAT of potential dam
breach, possible flooding & subsequent loss of property & human
life.
Worse yet, my wife & I live within 35 feet of one of those
"Unsafe Dams"in our backyard in a house built before this
version was ever thought of.
So I started to learn more about Dams, working to understand all
aspects of the embankment problems and how unsafe dams get
fixed. I also examined if perhaps NY State had
"ultra-restrictive" Dam rules, which wouldn't be new for our
state as many know. With a little research into what the Federal
& State Guidelines are around the topic of Embankment Dams. It
quickly became obvious that plenty of information was out there,
much of it had become Federal Guides for States to follow and
every state had pretty much adopted those Guidelines in their
own endeavors to repair their aging Dams. I am placing links to
show that the Rules in NY regarding Embankment Dams is the same
one many of it's neighbors use.
First... here's a great read from the NY Times on Embankment
Dams as America's Growing Problem
HTML https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/23/us/americas-aging-dams-are-in-need-of-repair.html
Here's a good explanation & summary of what FEMA says about
Embankment Dams including some State Information on
Compliance... from a 2007 USA Dam Symposium. It is a very good
summary that supports the truth that NYCC/NYPA have to use for
guidance in this project
HTML https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YkTesvp0sGi9wzmgW71_jeIeflrxVoLi
Here's some links to a few state Dam Safety Rules pages that
basically agree with FEMA's take on what makes dams unsafe and
how to fix it.
HTML https://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3313_3684_3723-9537--,00.html
HTML https://www.mass.gov/service-details/policy-on-trees-on-dams
HTML http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam-safety-and-floodplains/dsveget
HTML https://www.aspenjournalism.org/2012/06/01/state-those-dam-trees-have-to-go/
HTML https://denr.sd.gov/des/wr/sod.aspx
HTML http://www.damsafetyaction.org/GA/dam_owner/legal.php
Some states had PDF Files that listed their rules. I've included
documents here to review... simply search for the word "tree" in
any of these to see what the MAJORITY of states, and EXPERTS in
the field think about having Trees Living on Embankment Dams
[attach=1]
[attach=2]
[attach=3]
Here's the punch line: FEMA, NYCC, NYPA say Large Woody
Vegetation is NOT allowed on Impounding Embankment Dams and 50
States in our country believe these folks and apply those rules
to their own flood control structure. No question that REMOVING
large woodt vegetation (ie:Trees) is the BEST method to take in
restoring structural integrity to Embankment Dams... and aid
Inspectability.
So back to my original dilemma:
Why would anyone believe we can simply ignore these well
established & universally adopted Dam rules?
Worse yet how could anyone with ZERO experience in the
Embankment Dam Remediation field suggest creating "their own
rules" for the Erie Canal issue? Is that the best answer to an
Unsafe Dam in our community? It's hard enough to get a group of
Rochester communities, ALL under the threat of potential
catastrophic flooding, to agree an"unsafe Embankment Dam" Repair
Project is about SAFETY. Does anyone think we will EVER agree on
"new rules" that protect us better than those that already
exist?
Meanwhile, while all this plays out our community is still left
with many Unsafe Dams that are NOT being repaired...and getting
worse.
There is nothing wrong with the FEMA Rules, but there is
something wrong with the citizens in and around the Rochester
area if they do not STAND for SAFETY. This isn't just about
those along the Erie Canal, the Erie Canals Hazard Creep Zone
has expanded greatly, increasing risk.
The heart of the STCC argument is they want to "Save the Trees".
Folks, wake up.. these are the SAME trees that drove Erie
Canal's Earthen Embankments to their CURRENT unsafe status
depicted in the Rizzo Inspection Report. The SAME trees that
have prohibited PROPER INSPECTION of the Erie Canal for over 80
years, adding to the safety issues even more. The SAME trees
that are a constant threat to those walking the Erie Canal Trail
in the form of potential flooding or FALLING. It simply boggles
the mind that a single group of people can't "See the Forest for
the Trees". We've stated this before.. the Forest is SAFETY, a
topic this group ALWAYS seems to ignore or casually dismiss
public safety... it's totally irresponsible behavior, bordering
on absurd.
Don't let a group's shortsightedness and lack of social
responsibility put our communities in danger any longer, speak
up for your safety NOW.
If you live on the East Side of Rochester and are worried about
your own safety along the Erie Canal or the safety of your
neighbors living below it here's some information on who to talk
to.
Senator Rich Funke (Perinton), Chair of the Cultural Affairs,
Tourism & Recreation committee, has sent a letter to the NY
Power Authority asking for more public input to be heard. We
think it would be helpful if he took a more public role FOR
SAFETY SAKE on this Embankment Repair Project, so calling him
could help YOUR safety concerns be heard by those who can help.
(585) 223-1800 or Funke@nysenate.gov
The MOST important decision anyone can make is about the SAFETY
of their loved ones, Make your OWN decision wisely, before it
costs you more than you ever expected. Get informed about the
TRUTH of Erie Canals Embankment Remediation Project and how it
matters to YOU.
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