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<br />and to implement <br />nonfederal dams. <br />inspections. <br /> <br />effective safety programs for <br />At the same time Congress funded the <br /> <br />Between December 1977 and October 1981, the Corps <br />of Engineers inspected some 8,800 dams. About <br />one-third, or more than 2,900, were judged to be unsafe <br />by federal standards; that is, they had deficiencies <br />that if left uncorrected could result in dam failure <br />with consequent loss of life snd/or substantial propert <br />damage. Less than 5 percent of the unsafe dams had bee <br />repaired by October 1981. Dam owners' inability to <br />finance the work is the primary reason for their failur <br />to perform the remedial measures. <br /> <br />Many states participated in the dam inspection by <br />the Corps and helped compile inventory data for the dam <br />within their boundaries. The capabilities of these <br />states to administer dam safety programs were enhanced <br />by their participation in the inspections. At the end <br />of the inspection program, the Corps found that 25 <br />states were adequately supervising both inventory and <br />inspection activities. Some state officials; however, <br />have said that without federal funding, they cannot <br />continue effective dam safety programs. <br /> <br />About half of the states failed to implement <br />effective dam safety programs due to lack of state <br />funding, adequate legislation, regulatory practices, or <br />technical staff. Some could not assist the Corps' <br />inspection program in a meaningful way because of <br />inadequate staff. Some of these states have inadequate <br />legislation regarding dam safety; others hsve adequate <br />laws but lack the necessary funds and personnel. <br /> <br />At the end of the four-year inspection program, th <br />Corps of Engineers had inspected all of the high hazard <br />dams. From now on, the states will have to rely on <br />their own dam safety programs and mitigate the problems <br />of the unsafe dams identified by the Corps. <br /> <br />The Corps of Engineers is preparing a report, <br />scheduled to be published early in 1982, covering ,the <br />inspection program carried out under the authority of <br />the National Dam Inspection Act. In December 1980 the <br />Corps issued a progress report, "Inspection of <br /> <br />-9- <br />