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Fairfax County seeks federal funds for dam upgrades to safeguard area
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Fairfax County is asking Congress to restore millions of dollars worth of funding for dam upgrades so it can meet more stringent state standards and protect downstream communities in the Burke area.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly sent a letter to U.S. House appropriators late last month expressing “deep concern” over the inadequacy of funding for the projects in President Bush’s fiscal 2009 budget. Fairfax wants to improve dams in Woodglen Lake and Lake Barton next year, as well as at Huntsman Lake the following year.
Typically the cost of the dam improvements is shared about 2-to-1 between the federal and local governments, according to Connolly. The upgrades are needed to safeguard 3,200 residents and property worth more than $300 million in the downstream communities, he wrote.
The target is the earthen spillways that carry overflow water during a flood. Storm-water planners worry erosion caused by a rare and major flood could cause a quick breach and inundate the surrounding areas. Hardening the stretches of land to protect them from erosion and meet state standards could cost $3 million each, according to county estimates.
“Given the current economic climate, it will be very difficult for Fairfax County to upgrade those facilities to meet all of our partners’ needs without federal funding assistance,” Connolly wrote in the Mach 31 letter.
The dams “provide wildlife habitat, recreational benefits, and water quality enhancements for Pohick Creek and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay watershed,” the chairman said.
The tougher requirements are an outgrowth of studies in the late 1990s that showed the potential for spillway erosion during a major storm, said Steven Aitcheson, Fairfax County director of storm-water planning.
A fourth dam upgrade at Royal Lake is under construction, said project manager Dipmani Kumar. All the projects sit in the Pohick Creek watershed.
wflook@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:52 PM MST on Sat., Sep. 8, 2007 re: "Flooded Midwest, Plains Try Recover"
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5:34 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 3, 2007
re: "Oil Plus Floods Turn Kansas Town Slimy"
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6:23 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 2, 2007
re: "Flooding Forces Kansas Town's Evacuation"
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11:33 AM MST on Mon., Jul. 2, 2007
re: "Hundreds Evacuate As Plains Rivers Bulge"
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10:47 AM MST on Mon., Jul. 2, 2007
re: "Hundreds Evacuate As Plains Rivers Bulge"
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Examiner Reader said:
Is there anywhere that I can search for information concerning two Rushford, MN relatives (Lyle & Gladys Meyers) who have not been heard from since the town was evacuated during the flooding? Appreciate your help. Denny Engle d-n-d-2@peoplepc.com
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Examiner Reader said:
is there anyone who is looking to locate to maine for a safe environment - l have a large home on the river and am looking for someone who is family oriented with children to share this magnificant home with me. please respond if yo are interested
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Examiner Reader said:
There aren't any ariel photos of the flooded towns in southeast Kansas. Photos would give everyone a better idea of how massive the flooding is.
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Mike H. said:
You have my sympathies Pearlie Mae Cain. I hope that your brother and sister are alright.
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Pearlie Mae Cain said:
I Pearlie Was Bron and rised in Coffeyville ; And it saded me Because it is one Town you could be happy it was a historyical ; And ever Four year's we would have Home coming I will miss going home God Bless every one there ; I have not heard from my Brother are sister ; Herman scott 409 east 4th street And Lydia that live in th third street apartments Love you
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