[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E18]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE ``NATIONAL LEVEE SAFETY PROGRAM ACT OF 2005''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that prior to the end of 
the 1st Session of the 109th Congress, Subcommittee Ranking Member 
Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chairman Don Young, Ranking Member Jim Oberstar, 
and I introduced H.R. 4650, the ``National Levee Safety Program Act of 
2005.''
  We have seen in the Gulf Region what can happen when hurricane and 
flood protection infrastructure is inadequate or fails to perform.
  The National Inventory of Dams shows that 45 percent of all Federal 
dams are at least 50 years old; and that 80 percent of them are at 
least 30 years old.
  We know less about the status and capabilities of our levees. We do 
not know how many levees there are in the United States, we do not know 
how old they are, and in many cases we do not know who constructed them 
or who is responsible for their operation and maintenance. There has 
never been a national inventory of levees.
  Over the decades, levees have been built by different entities, at 
different times, and to different standards. They have been linked 
together to provide a protective system for a city, but with such a 
mixture of conditions, the true level of protection may be in doubt.
  Every day the Nation's engineers and scientists learn more about the 
reliability and limitations of dams and levees. New techniques and 
materials are discovered in the laboratories. Without investments in 
infrastructure, we cannot benefit from what we have learned.
  What is the condition of our hurricane and flood protection 
infrastructure? What should it be? Do we need to make policy changes to 
be sure that we are making the best investments of taxpayer dollars? 
Before we make a massive investment of taxpayer dollars, we need to do 
an inventory of levees across the United States.
  That is why today we are introducing the ``National Levee Safety 
Program Act'', to get an inventory of levees in the United States and 
work with the States to encourage them to develop their own levee 
safety programs.
  We have worked closely with members on both sides of the aisle and 
the various groups to advance the goal of improving the infrastructure 
in the most cost effective manner. We have received favorable feedback 
from diverse parties. The National Levee Safety Program Act of 2005 
embraces innovative solutions for these parties and I urge members to 
support this legislation.

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