SCHUMER: HUNDREDS OF UPSTATE NEW YORK DAMS ARE CONSIDERED ‘HIGH HAZARDS’ TO SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES & MANY DON’T HAVE EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS TO PROTECT HOMES, BUSINESSES – CALLS ON SENATE TO PASS EXPIRED WATER RESOURCE LEGISLATION TO DELIVER GRANTS FOR DAM INSPECTIONS, SAFETY PLAN

New York, NY – April 11, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed that there are over 1,100 dams considered “high” and “significant” hazards in Upstate New York, and more than three-quarters do not have an emergency action plan (EAP) to protect local homes, businesses and human life should dam breakage and subsequent flooding occur. Dams are a vital part of our nation’s aging infrastructure and provide enormous benefits to Upstate New Yorkers, including flood protection, drinking water, renewable hydroelectric power, navigation, irrigation, and recreation. Yet many of these hazardous dams are nearly a century old, and with the spring thaw fast-approaching, the risk to the surrounding community is too great to ignore