Dam Safety Awareness Day

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, there are more than 2,600 state regulated dams in Virginia, the majority of which are privately owned, and are required by state law to be properly constructed, altered, and operated to ensure the protection of life and property; and,

WHEREAS, dams in Virginia range from low-to-high hazard depending on their size, location, and downstream development; and,

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is the state agency responsible for regulation of dams in Virginia, addressing aging and deficient dams for risks they present to the public; and,

WHEREAS, by 2025, according to the Association of State Dam Safety officials, seven in ten dams will be 50 years or older; and,

WHEREAS, National Dam Safety Awareness Day was established to memorialize the South Fork Dam failure in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that occurred on May 31, 1889, the worst dam-related disaster in our nation’s history causing 2,200 deaths; and,

WHEREAS, National Dam Safety Awareness Day is intended to highlight potential dangers of improperly constructed or maintained dams across the United States; and,

WHEREAS, all owners, governmental officials, first responders, emergency management personnel, downstream residents, and citizens should be aware of the importance of dam safety and the need to properly maintain and operate dams; and,

WHEREAS, Virginians recognize and appreciate dam safety personnel from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation for their tireless efforts to protect the people of the Commonwealth from the hazards of dam failures;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 31, 2022 as DAM SAFETY AWARENESS DAY in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations