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February 2, 2007

2 Woonsocket levees get low marks for maintenance

Two Rhode Island levees -- both in Woonsocket -- are among 146 levees nationwide that are in “fair, poor, or unacceptable” condition, according to a list released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The levees include the Single Street Dike, located below the Singleton Street bridge, and the Lower Mill River Dike, which is near the entrance to the World War II Memorial Park.

Acknowledging that the city has lagged in maintaining its flood control system, City Engineer Alan Brodd said today that the situation is not life threatening for residents.

“In my opinion, no one’s in imminent danger and I stand by that,” he said.

The city has a year to complete the improvements specified by the Army Corps. After that, the levees could become de-certified, which would require residents living behind the levees to obtain flood insurance at a higher cost than what they would have to pay now, said Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Marty Bahamonde.

“What it should tell people is we have an issue here and we should think about protecting ourselves,” he said.

Brodd estimates that the repairs will cost $1.5 million, and noted that the city is seeking financial assistance from FEMA. Another option is turning ownership and responsibility for the levees back over to the Army Corps, which built the structures.

-- Journal staff writer Kia Hall Hayes

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 4:01 PM | Permalink

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