[미국] 농림부, 유역 재건 기금으로 26개 주의 댐 수리

미 농림부는 최근 지역사회가 중요한 기반시설에 제공하고 공중보건과 안전을 보호하는 댐 재건을 위해 2억6천200만 달러를 투자 받았다고 발표했다. 재건 기금은 26개 주의 150개의 댐에 재생을 돕기 위한 계획, 설계, 건설에 제공될 예정이다.

또한, 500개의 댐 부지는 안전을 위해 NRCS의 유역 재건 프로그램을 통해 평가될 예정이다. 프로젝트는 최근 재건 투자와 삶의 잠재적인 위험과 댐의 실패와 같은 재산을 기본으로 확인한다. 전체적으로 댐의 건설을 통해 홍수 보호를 향상함으로써 25만명의 사람이 혜택을 본다고 평가된다.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that communities across the U.S. will receive a $262-million investment to rehabilitate dams that provide critical infrastructure and protect public health and safety. This funding will provide rehabilitation assistance -- planning, design or construction -- for 150 dams in 26 states.

In addition, 500 dam sites will also be assessed for safety through NRCS' Watershed Rehabilitation Program (for a complete list of the projects, click here). The projects were identified based on recent rehabilitation investments and the potential risks to life and property if a dam failure occurred. Overall, an estimated 250,000 people will benefit as a result of improved flood protection made possible by these rehabilitated dams.

The 2014 Farm Bill, signed into law by President Obama earlier this year, increased the typical annual investment in watershed rehabilitation by almost 21 fold, recognizing the critical role of these structures in flood management, water supply and agricultural productivity. Earlier last week, he discussed the importance of infrastructure to job creation and commerce, noting that "Funding infrastructure projects helps our families, it fuels our economy, and it better positions America for the future."

From the 1940s through the 1970s, local communities using NRCS assistance constructed more than 11,800 dams in 47 states. These watershed management projects provide an estimated $2.2 billion in annual benefits in reduced flooding and erosion damages, and improved recreation, water supplies and wildlife habitat for an estimated 47 million Americans.

For example, Watershed Dam No. 62 in the Upper Black Bear Creek Watershed of Noble County, Okla., will be included in a USDA-funded rehabilitation partnership project. Currently awaiting rehabilitation design, the dam provides protection against flooding to about 550 Oklahomans who live and work downstream.

Additionally, the dam protects seven county roads, one state highway, two U.S. highways, and an interstate highway that, together, support about 16,200 vehicles daily. Among other critical infrastructure, the dam also protects power lines and railroad tracks. The rehabilitation project is expected to provide about $7.5 million in benefits including flood damage reduction, water supply and recreational benefits.

[출처 = Water World / 2014년 7월 21일]