American Rivers Concerned FEMA’s Dam Safety Review Board Members Dismissed, Pausing Important Safety Oversight

January 23, 2025

Contact: Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org  

Washington D.C.— In response to recent reports and removal of our own staff, American Rivers is today, voicing its concern to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Interim Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about the complete dismissal of all members of the National Dam Safety Review Board.   

“As increasing severity and frequency of floods and fires devastate communities nationwide and imperil aging water infrastructure such as dams, it is vital to have the experts on the National Dam Safety Review Board in place and ready to serve,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle, senior vice president of conservation for American Rivers. “Every day the work of this panel is interrupted and its existence left in limbo puts human lives and property at risk. As a non-partisan advisory committee, it cannot and should not get caught up in politics.” 

The National Dam Safety Review Board is a critical advisory committee comprised of dam safety experts from other government agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as non-profits like American Rivers. The Board’s primary goal is to save lives by enhancing dam safety and security.  

The United States has more than 16,000 high hazard dams that endanger working families across the nation. To underscore the urgency of reestablishing this advisory committee, at least 36 high hazard dams failed or were damaged from Hurricane Helene. High hazard dams are dams that in the event of failure would likely cause high value property damage or loss of life.

“American Rivers is dedicated to protecting people and property from unsafe and outdated dams, restoring our nation’s rivers and protecting clean drinking water. Our staff includes leading experts on dam safety and we encourage the rapid reestablishment of this board,” said Taylor-Miesle.  

Further, the widespread dismissal includes members of the Technical Mapping Advisory Committee, which advises FEMA on improvements to flood risk maps that are necessary to keep homeowners and communities safe from flooding. Two-thirds of the nation’s streams still lack flood maps, and flood maps for many communities are outdated. It is essential that FEMA utilize the best available science and technology to provide communities with accurate knowledge of their flood risks.