The federal stimulus is shoring-up some East Georgia dams. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak said Monday, his Department will spend about $6 million from the recovery package to fix six dams, three each in Jackson and Madison Counties, near Athens.
"Many dams and important flood control structures across the country are in a race against time when it comes to their ability to protect people and property from flooding," Vilsak said. "This funding is going to projects to avoid the risk of infrastruce failure and the threat that would represent to life and property."
The dams in question include those on the Sandy, Little Sandy and Marbury Creeks and on the South River. Vilsak says, the projects will create 168 jobs, protect 216residents and pump $14 million into the economy. In total, 11 states are getting $45 million in stimulus funds to rehabilitate aging dams. The state of Georgia is kicking in about $3 million for the Georgia projects.
Monday, April 6, 2009
6 Georgia dams getting fixed in stimulus plan
