[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 210 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58732-58734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28795]
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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Interagency Committee on Dam Safety (ICODS); Charter and
Operating Rules
AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
ACTION: Notice of the revised Charter and Operating Rules of the
Interagency Committee on Dam Safety.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) gives notice of
the revised Charter and Operating Rules of the Interagency Committee on
Dam Safety (ICODS). The purpose of ICODS is to coordinate policies for
and provide guidance to all participants of the National Dam Safety
Program.
DATES: This notice is effective as of October 30, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Harold W. Andress Jr., National Dam Safety Program, Mitigation
Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-2801, (facsimile) (202) 646-4596 (not
toll free calls).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FEMA's National Dam Safety Program was
established October 4, 1979, when President Carter instructed the heads
of each Federal agency responsible for any aspect of dam safety to
adopt the Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety. This coincided with the
formation of FEMA under Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and the
subsequent assignment of responsibility for the coordination of efforts
to promote dam safety to the Director of FEMA under Sec. 2-103 of
Executive Order 12148. Federal departments and agencies were directed
to report their progress in implementing the dam safety guidelines to
the Director of FEMA. Subsequently, the national dam safety program was
codified when the President signed into law the Water Resources
Development Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-303) on October 12, 1996.
Section 215 of the Public Law 104-303, which amended Public Law 92-367,
named the latter Act the National Dam Safety Program Act (the Act), and
formally established ICODS. Public Law 104-303 directs the Director of
FEMA to lead a coordinated national dam safety program. Under section 7
of the Act ICODS comprises representatives of 10 Federal departments
and agencies: the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense,
the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, the
Department of Labor, FEMA, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and
the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water
Commission. The Director of FEMA chairs ICODS.
ICODS provides a permanent forum for member agencies to coordinate
interagency activities and to identify, discuss, and recommend
solutions to institutional, managerial, technical, legislative, and
policy issues that affect national dam safety. ICODS has been active on
several fronts since its formation, April 24, 1980. It is now
appropriate to announce formally its revised Charter and Operating
Rules, and its objectives, mission, duties and oversight role for the
National Dam Safety Program, originally published in the Federal
Register, August 28, 1985, 50 FR 34912.
[[Page 58733]]
Interagency Committee on Dam Safety (ICODS) Charter and Operating Rules
I. Preamble
The need for positive action and leadership to assure safe dams has
long been established by the President, Acts of Congress, actions of
Federal agencies, State Governments, professional societies, engineers,
public concerns, and now statutorily by the Congress through passage of
Public Law 104-303. A dam is as defined in section 2 of that Act.
It is necessary that Federal agencies having an involvement with
dams coordinate their activities to assure optimum use of agency
resources in establishment of principles and guidance that will lead to
safer dams. These agencies also have the responsibility to provide
leadership so others may benefit from the skills, experience, and
programs of the Federal establishment. ICODS provides the framework for
meeting these objectives. ICODS members will individually carry
decisions and recommendations that impact on policy and legislative
matters to their respective agencies for appropriate actions.
II. Mission
The mission of ICODS is to encourage the establishment and
maintenance of effective Federal and State programs, policies, and
guidelines to enhance dam safety for the protection of human life and
property. This is achieved through coordination and information
exchange among Federal agencies and State dam safety agencies sharing
common problems and having responsibilities for any aspect of dam
safety (e.g., planning, design, construction, operation, emergency
actions, inspections, maintenance, regulation or licensing, technical
or financial assistance, research, data collection and ultimate
disposition). Such coordination is not limited to Federal dam safety
matters as State and local issues and may provide a need for technology
exchange.
ICODS will provide a permanent forum for these organizations to
advise FEMA in its role of establishing and maintaining a coordinated
national dam safety program by making recommendations on institutional,
managerial, technical, legislative, and policy issues that affect
national dam safety.
III. Objectives
ICODS objectives are aligned with the objectives of the National
Dam Safety Program. These objectives are to:
(1) ensure that new and existing dams are safe through the
development of technologically economically feasible programs and
procedures for national dam safety hazards reduction;
(2) encourage acceptable engineering policies and procedures to be
used for dam site investigation, design, construction, operations,
maintenance, inspections and modifications, and emergency preparedness;
(3) encourage the establishment and implementation of effective dam
safety programs in each State based on State standards;
(4) develop and encourage public awareness projects to increase
public acceptance and support of State dam safety programs;
(5) develop technical assistance materials for Federal and non-
Federal dam safety programs; and
(6) develop mechanisms with which to provide Federal technical
assistance for dam safety to the non-Federal sector.
IV. Duties
ICODS shall encourage the establishment and maintenance of
effective Federal and State programs, policies, and guidelines intended
to enhance dam safety for the protection of human life and property
through:
(1) coordination and information exchange among Federal agencies
and State dam safety agencies;
(2) coordination and information exchange among Federal agencies
concerning implementation of the Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety;
(3) federal activities that foster State efforts to develop and
implement effective programs for the safety of dams;
(4) improved techniques, historical experience, and equipment for
rapid and effective dam construction, rehabilitation, and inspection;
and
(5) devices for the continued monitoring of the safety of dams.
V. Oversight
The ICODS oversight role includes providing consultation to the
FEMA Director in the establishment and maintenance of a coordinated
national dam safety program. Also included is the preparation of a
biennial report, not later than 90 days after the end of each odd-
numbered fiscal year, that describes the status of the Program and
describes the progress achieved by Federal agencies in implementing the
Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety during the two preceding fiscal
years.
VI. Organization
A. Membership
The members are one representative designated from each of the
following Federal Departments/Agencies: Agriculture, Defense, Energy,
Interior, Labor, FEMA, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the United
States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission.
B. Chair
The Director of FEMA is the Chair of ICODS. In the absence of the
Director, the FEMA member will serve as designated Chair. In the
absence of the FEMA member a representative of a member Federal
Department will be named by the Director to act as Chair. At the
discretion of the Chair, others may participate in ICODS meetings and
subcommittees activities.
C. Subcommittees
ICODS will establish necessary subcommittees to fulfill its
purpose. A member of ICODS will be named by the Chair as contact person
for each subcommittee. Subcommittees, their membership, chairs, and
assignments will be approved by ICODS. It shall be the responsibility
of the subcommittee chair to report to ICODS. Standing subcommittees of
ICODS shall include, but are not limited to, Operations, Research,
Training, Guidelines Development, National Dam Safety Coordinations,
and National Inventory of Dams.
D. Meetings
The Chair will call meetings as needed. A minimum of one meeting
per calendar quarter will be scheduled.
E. Voting and Rules
Each member of ICODS will have one vote. Each subcommittee member
shall have one vote on their subcommittee. A member may designate an
alternate to vote in his or her absence. Every effort will be made to
arrive at a consensus. Robert's Rules of Order will be followed.
F. Funding
Each agency will be responsible for supporting its representatives.
Any cost for consultants, printing, etc., will be funded through the
National Dam Safety Program.
G. Reporting
Each member of ICODS will be responsible for reporting biennially
to the Congress on their activities as set forth in Section 10 of the
National Dam Safety Program Act.
[[Page 58734]]
VII. Amending Charter and Operating Rules
Amendments may be made to the Charter and Operating Rules, the
members desiring, by a two-thirds majority vote of the membership.
Dated: October 23, 1997.
Michael J. Armstrong,
Associate Director, Mitigation Directorate.
[FR Doc. 97-28795 Filed 10-29-97; 8:45 am]
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