Commission approves FERC safety document updates and issues RFP for comprehensive dam assessment

County and consulting staff presented a package of updated dam-safety documents for the commission’s approval and explained a procurement timeline for the FERC-required comprehensive assessment.

Staff said the submittals include the annual dam safety surveillance and monitoring report (DSSMR), the dam safety surveillance monitoring plan (DSSMP), the operation and maintenance manual, the emergency action plan (EAP) updates, supporting technical information (STI), and a public-safety signage/management update. Staff also summarized a recent inspection and a new seismic (PGA) analysis that has been incorporated into the STI.

Consultants described the revised survey-control procedures, new survey monuments and revised monitoring points placed off the embankment to provide stable references. The commission also reviewed proposed wording changes in the EAP to align local emergency contacts and dispatch procedures with the sheriff and emergency managers.

Commissioners authorized staff to submit the package to FERC and to publish a request for proposals (RFP) for the comprehensive assessment (part of the FERC Section 12(d) requirement). The RFP publication schedule presented was April 17 and April 24 with proposals due May 13; commissioners approved issuing the RFP and asked staff to verify consultant eligibility before final selection.

A county consultant noted the comprehensive assessment is due by Dec. 31, 2026, and that the resulting engineering review could identify further recommendations. The commission approved the document submissions and the RFP by voice vote.

Why this matters: The filings satisfy FERC reporting obligations and start the county’s procurement for a mandatory comprehensive assessment that will evaluate the dam’s condition and potential failure modes; the assessment could identify further work that may require funding and permit applications.