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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
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For Immediate Release:
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Relating to Ka Loko Dam Breach and Morita Dam Damage: March 14, 2006 ? Four DLNR Engineering staff flew to Kauai to assess various dams on the island. March 15, 2006 - Three DLNR Engineering staff flew to Kauai to provide support and make assessments. March 15, 2006 - As a precautionary measure, the DLNR instructed various DLNR Engineers to assist in dam and reservoir inspections across the state. State Civil Defense has been notified of these actions. DLNR is coordinating with Army Corps Engineers personnel on Kauai. Army Corps of Engineers personnel have been on Kauai making dam inspections, March 14 and 15. Local DLNR Engineers on Maui, the Big Island and Oahu (one on each island) were also instructed to contact the local Civil Defense for priorities. DLNR Forestry staff are monitoring water levels and flows at seven state-owned dams and reservoirs on Kauai. DLNR'S Land and Engineering Divisions have contacted private owners of dams across the state, instructing them to conduct assessments and monitoring of their respective dams. If the dam owners have no emergency action plan, they are being instructed to inventory potential losses down slope and be prepared to call Police Department and Civil Defense if threshold levels of the dam are being approached/exceeded. DLNR has positioned a representative in the State Civil Defense operations center and is working with the team of emergency response agencies in this effort. Ownership of Ka Loko and Morita Dams Ownership of the dams in these cases is a complicated issue. DLNR is conducting further investigation into the legal ownership of these structures. Dam Safety Given the extreme changeability in weather and the age and nature of construction of dams across the state, it is extremely difficult to predict or advise as to whether particular dams pose an immediate hazard to public safety. DLNR is working closely with State and County Civil Defense agencies in addressing safety issues relating to dams, and will try to issue warnings on particular dams, if possible. Contacts: Peter Young - 226-3567 |
