Mr. Akaka - Mr. President. I want to express my support of S. 728, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2006. S. 728 authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study water resource problems, undertake construction projects, and make major modifications to existing projects. It has been five years since the last WRDA was enacted into law and I thank my colleague, the Senior Senator from Missouri, for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. This is a bipartisan piece of legislation that must be passed to address our nation’s critical navigation, flood control, and environmental restoration needs.

I am a cosponsor of S. 728 because I recognize the need to authorize essential flood control, shore protection, dam safety, storm damage reduction, and environmental restoration projects. These projects carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers protect communities across the country from destruction caused by severe weather and flooding, and also promote protection and restoration of our nation’s ecosystems. In addition, the legislation establishes standards that balance the safety and interest of the public with the economic and environmental feasibility of projects.

I am pleased that provisions from S. 2735, the Dam Safety Act of 2006, which I introduced with Senator Bond are included in the Managers’ Amendment to S. 728. This will advance dam safety in the United States and prevent loss of life and property damage from dam failures at both the federal and state programmatic levels. Specifically, the reauthorization of the National Dam Safety Program Act will provide much needed assistance to state dam safety programs that regulate 95 percent of the 80,000 dams in the United States. Of the approximately $13 million authorized annual through 2011, $8 million will be divided among the states to improve safety programs and $2 million will be dedicated for research to identify more effective techniques to assess, construct, and monitor dams. In addition, $700,000 will be available for training assistance for state engineers, $1 million for the employment of new staff and personnel for Federal Emergency Management Agency, and $1 million for the National Inventory of Dams.

An additional provision that mirrors S. 2444, the National Dam Safety Program Act, which I introduced with Senator Inouye, is included in S. 728. This authorizes appropriations of $25 million for small dam removals and dam rehabilitation projects. Although the amount included in S. 728 is not as large as in S. 2444, this is still an important first step in ensuring the safety of the public. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that both public and private dams receive the maintenance they need.

The cost of failing to maintain our nation’s dam infrastructure is extremely high. There have been at least 29 dam failures in the United States during the past two years causing more than $200 million in property damage. In my home state in March, the Ka Loko Dam, a 116-year earthen dam, on the island of Kauai breached during heavy rains killing seven people. This tragic event serves as an important reminder of the responsibility held by the state and local governments, but also of the leadership role of the federal government in supplementing state resources and developing national guidelines for dam safety.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 728. Again, I would like to express my appreciation to my colleagues Senators Bond, Inhofe, Jeffords, Feingold, Boxer, Specter and McCain for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. This bill is essential in improving economic growth, safety, and the quality of life of all Americans.