[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     TWIN BUTTES DAM NEEDS REPAIRS

                                 ______


                        HON. CHARLES W. STENHOLM

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 1994

  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
which would address a very serious, even life-threatening situation in 
San Angelo, TX, which is in my district. Twin Buttes Dam, which is a 
Bureau of Reclamation project, was built in the early 1960's. Due to 
poor design and construction of the dam, it seeps water. Although the 
Bureau has attempted to correct the problem, the seepage has grown 
worse over the years to the point where last December the water level 
of the reservoir was lowered well below conservation level to prevent a 
breach of the dam.
  In fact, Twin Buttes Dam is rated the least safe dam subject to 
failure in the Bureau's inventory. As you can imagine, repairing Twin 
Buttes Dam is vitally important for several reasons, not the least of 
which is the fact that the lives and homes of the 40,000 people who 
live below the dam are endangered. Also, Twin Buttes Reservoir is the 
water source for 90,000 residents of San Angelo and the surrounding 
area. For these reasons, the dam must be fixed as quickly as possible. 
Furthermore, because it was faulty construction on the part of a 
Federal Government project, the expense of the repairs should also be 
the responsibility of the Federal Government.
  Due to the importance of this matter, I offer this legislative remedy 
and urge its expeditious consideration.

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