'Time bomb': Mich. panel preps dam safety recommendations

摘要

A group responsible for offering new safety measures after two Michigan dams failed last summer destroying 150 houses and causing over $200 million damage delayed sending the governor its final recommendations, which include increased monitoring of dams and other risk reduction measures. The Michigan Dam Safety Task Force has been working on recommendations that would require Legislature approval to reduce the threat of dam failures after two dams failed in Midland County last May, forcing the evacuation of 10,000 people. Among the 86 recommendations from the task force is that owners of all high and significant hazard dams would be required to provide surveillance and monitoring plans to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. They also would be required to have independent reviews performed at least every 10 years. Inspections could be required annually for high hazard dams and every other year for significant-hazard dams. The failure of the Edenville Dam, which led to the failure of the Sanford dam and the flooding of Midland County, had a history of violating safety regulations.