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<br />property damage would likely occur in the event of dam failure. Results of <br />the inspection indicated that about one-third of the dams inspected were <br />unsafe. This determination was made from criteria established by the Corps of <br />Engineers. Wherever a dam was designated as unsafe, the Corps of Engineers <br />generally recommended the immediate preparation of an emergency action plan. <br />However, all dams which could cause adverse consequences in the event of <br />failure need emergency action plans. As indicated in the Federal Guidelines, <br />sound integrity of the dam is not a basis to avoid preparation of emergency <br />plans. <br /> <br />3. National Research Council Committee. In keeping with its role as the <br />lead Federal agency in coordinating Federal dam safety activities, the Federal <br />Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracted with the. National Research <br />Council (NRC) to provide recommendations regarding the Federal role in safety <br />assurance of non-Federal dams. The NRC committee completed its first phase <br />assessment and provided FEMA with the following recommendations related to <br />emergency action planning: <br /> <br />(a) Federal Involvement in Non-Federal Dams. Prepare guidelines for <br />emergency preparedness plans for non-Federal dams initially engineered and <br />constructed with Federal assistance; <br /> <br />(b) Imperative Needs. Developing guidance for emergency <br />preparedness planning; <br /> <br />(c) Second Phase Study. Emergency preparedness planning; develop a <br />model plan for "voluntary use by the states. <br /> <br />4. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The Subcommittee on Dam <br />Safety of the ASCE National Water Policy Committee prepared a position paper <br />on responsibility for dam safety. This paper was adopted by the ASCE Board of <br />Directors on May 9, 1981. A portion of the position paper reads as follows: <br /> <br />"For a dam that represents a significant or high potential hazard to <br />downstream areas, detailed standard project operations plans to protect public <br />safety should be developed, particularly for operations during extreme flood <br />conditions, when primary communications systems may not function. In <br />addition, contingency plans for emergency project operations, notifications to <br />civil authorities, and warning of need for evacuation should be developed for <br />use when the safety of the dam is threatened. The plan should define areas <br />that could be inundated and should be coordinated with local law enforcement <br />and civil defense authorities." <br /> <br />5. Waterpower '81 International Conference on Hydropower. In a paper <br />titled, "Mitigation of Impacts-Emergency Action Plans," which was presented at <br />the Waterpower Conference, Messrs. Dresdner and Stachle discuss the private <br />sector views on needs for emergency action plans. They point out that in the <br />event of a project emergency, there are two emergency plans to be implemented. <br />The emergency action plan of the dam owner must be augmented by a local <br />response plan. The authors conclud'e: "To assure maximum safety, the two <br />plans must function as one coordinated plan when implemented during an actual <br />emergency. Warning and response cannot be separated; neither can emergency <br /> <br />2 <br />