The Development of a Dam Safety Program

Abstract

In 1996, the President signed Public Law 104-303 that established a National Dam Safety Program Act. The law authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide funding and technical assistance to states willing to "work toward" developing a Statewide Dam Safety Program. The purpose of the National Dam Safety Program is to reduce the risk of loss of life, economic loss, and property destruction that could result from dam emergencies.