Committee on Environment and Public Work

Flood Control Infrastructure Committee on Environment and Public Work

Flood control investments are not ones that average citizens can make for themselves. Not only do the construction of dams and levees create jobs, but these investments can also support local economies by helping to drive commerce. One of the things that businesses need most is predictability and certainty; they don't need floods and the kind of havoc that can create in the community and for their businesses. It is important that Federal, State, and local governments make investments, because when dams and levees fail, they can result in loss of life, economic destabilization and even economic devastation. What is the role of Federal, State, and local government in addressing these infrastructure concerns? The McKinsey Global Institute put out a 2013 report that said the U. S. need to invest between $150 billion and $180 billion a year more in infrastructure just to make up for years of underinvestment that is limiting economic growth and threatening public safety. The same report found that one of the best ways to invest and get the most out of public dollars is to maintain existing infrastructure. Whether it is a bridge or a dam, the Government has a fundamental responsibility to make sure that those structures are sound and continue to serve their intended purposes, including protecting lives.