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DIR Return to: Just the Dam Facts! - Embankment Reference Material
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#Post#: 1422--------------------------------------------------
Only ONE US State does not have Dam Safety Regulations, it's not
New York
DIR By: Doug K
Date: March 9, 2021, 3:55 pm
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All of the Embankment Integrity Program work happening along the
Erie Canal, that is being done by the New York State Canal
Corporation (NYSCC) & parent New York Power Authority (NYPA),
comes down to ONE SIMPLE UNDERSTANDING...
What does New York State REQUIRE of all Dam Owners in this
State?
This holds true for all dams that are earthen type, and those
dams that are made of concrete, and yes, those raised Canal
Embankment Dams that are being repaired by the new owners, NYPA.
That's because there is only ONE state in the entire US that
doesn't have any kind of statewide dam safety guidelines, laws,
or dam safety manual.
That state is Alabama.
And this is where that information can be found on ALL of the
States, an online guide for all States regarding Dam Safety
[attachimg=1]
HTML https://damsafety-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/files/FINAL%20-%202020%20Update%20State%20Laws%20and%20Regulations%20Summary_0.pdf
Now I could spend time putting the New York Info from this Guide
here but would rather show you what's actually in the New York
Regulations for these Embankment type dams. That is all
available on the State's DEC website, and here's what NY State
says about Vegetation on Earthen Dams and what has to happen:
[attachimg=2]
HTML https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4991.html
And if you search the internet by US State, you will find
similar examples from many states. In fact, most US states also
have published memorandums on Dam Safety Best Practices for
Vegetation on Earthen Dams. Here's a few nice examples below for
you to review or read. Some are Dam Safety Manuals or Guides,
others are actual statements released regarding Overgrown
Vegetation causing Dam Issues
ARKANSAS
HTML https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dam_Safety_Book_August_2017.pdf
IOWA
HTML https://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/water/dams/dams_manual.pdf
MASSACHUSETTES
[attachimg=3]
HTML https://www.mass.gov/service-details/policy-on-trees-on-dams
MARYLAND
[attachimg=4]
HTML https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Water/DamSafety/Documents/Policy%20Memorandum%20No.%201%20-%20Maintenance%20and%20Repair%20Trees%20and%20Woody%20Vegetation%20(UPDATE%201).pdf
Between all these Dam Safety Laws, Guidebooks, Manuals and
Memorandums, even the casual reader will soon understand the
simple truth is that NO STATE believes that overgrown trees
should be on ANY EARTHEN DAM or EMBANKMENT.
It's not opinion, or a belief... it's a statement based on
Engineering & Scientific research, along with years of real
world experience looking at many MAJOR Dam failures in this
Country. Every state in the country, EXCEPT Alabama, seems to
know & understand the truth about dam safety and why it's
important for residents of those states.
But still Alabama wants to deny a problem could even exist.
Of course, there is also a population in New York that must be
part of another "state", one that wants to disregard the facts,
the science and the Engineering around Earthen Dam Safety.
For these folks who live in this "mental state" it comes down to
"state of mind" and a "belief" that they can "deny what they do
not understand". It's often called a "state of denial". It's
real, and it a dangerous way to think, especially when the
safety of the general public is at risk.
Whatever the case, those who would believe there is NOTHING
wrong with Erie Canal Embankments, even though the OWNERS of the
Canal System have stated otherwise, do so without considering
the danger they place their families in, and also the many Erie
Canal neighbors in those communities along the NYS Canal System.
Call it for what it is... self-centered, selfish, & senseless
people ignoring public safety.
[attachimg=5]
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