Agricultural News
Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts Praises Senator Inhofe for Support of Flood Control Funding
Thu, 02 May 2013 11:55:46 CDT
Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) has again shown that he is a true supporter of locally-led conservation and a champion of the protection of the lives and properties of all Oklahomans through his actions strongly supporting the funding of flood control dam repair according to a statement released today by the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD). Kim Farber, President of OACD said that by standing up for the continued funding of the USDA Small Watershed dam rehabilitation program, Senator Inhofe took a strong stand to maintain the flood control protection system that has watched over Oklahoma since the 1940's.
"We are very pleased that Senator Inhofe stood up for all Oklahoman's by supporting this program that is so vital to protecting lives and property," Farber said. "Without the help of the Federal Government the State of Oklahoma would never be able to afford to repair and rehabilitate the aging dams of our state. Senator Inhofe deserves the praise of every Oklahoman for this."
According to Farber, late last week Senator Inhofe sent a strongly worded letter to Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas) and Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri), the Chairman and Ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on Agriculture respectively, asking for the continued funding of the USDA Small Watershed Flood Control Rehabilitation Program, an initiative that provides federal matching funds to states to help repair and rehabilitate flood control dams. In his letter, Senator Inhofe pointed out that the USDA Small Watershed Flood Control Program every year saves the United States on average over $2 billion in flood damage that does not happen due to the protection the dams in this system provide. In Oklahoma alone, the over 2,100 dams in the state provide over $85 million a year on average in prevented flood damage. These savings, Farber said, shows that for a small investment, the citizens of the State of Oklahoma and the United States get more than their monies worth with this critical program.
"Last year the Federal Government funded the Flood Control Rehab Program to the tune of just $15 million, a small price to pay to maintain over $2 billion in savings." Farber said. "It's our hope that through the leadership of Senators like our own Jim Inhofe we can build the support necessary to continue the work of protecting people's lives and property. We can't say enough how much we appreciate Senator Inhofe stepping up to the plate and taking this strong stand for Oklahoma."
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