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April 13, 2006

Carcieri to review improvements to Johnston dam

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri and other Rhode Island officials this morning plan to review improvements at a weakening dam in Johnston that authorities are trying to fix.

Carcieri and other state officials have emphasized dam safety since heavy rain this fall sent rivers and streams over their banks and raised questions about whether some dams in the region would break.

At the State House, a bill requiring dam owners to pay for emergency repairs and planning is one step closer to becoming law.

The Senate's Environment and Agriculture Committee has voted to send the legislation to their Senate colleagues for a full vote.

If adopted, the bill would allow state authorities to make emergency repairs to dams at risk of failing -- and later bill the property owners for the work. The legislation would also require some dam owners to file emergency plans with the state.

Governor Carcieri proposed the rules after a dam in Taunton, Mass., buckled this fall and threatened to break.

-- The Associated Press and staff reports

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 7:24 AM | Permalink

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