Travelers insurer flags dam inspection recommendations; Fallon County to schedule state‑certified engineering review

Fallon County officials told the commission that Travelers, the county’s insurer for dam liability, has reviewed an annual inspection compiled by a private planner and is seeking completion of recommendations before renewing coverage.

County staff and the commission said the inspection report in question was prepared by Rich (a planner who performs annual O&M inspections for the county) and that the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) requires a certified engineer’s inspection every five years. Travelers, the private insurer, told the county it would like inspections on a three‑year schedule; county officials said this was the first time Travelers had insisted on a three‑year cadence.

Why this matters: the county owns two dams (Upper and Lower) where inspection schedules, maintenance and liability affect insurance costs and public safety. Commissioners said they would arrange the five‑year certified engineer inspection the state requires and will provide Travelers a copy of the resulting engineering report; they also planned to discuss the insurer’s request with the local insurance representative and push for clarification on whether Travelers will accept the state‑required five‑year certified inspection for renewal.

What county staff said: Planning and road staff described annual maintenance tasks that recur (tree removal, muskrat burrow repairs, vegetation management and sediment removal). County staff said Rich’s annual inspection listed maintenance “recommendations,” including tree and rodent work that staff treat as ongoing maintenance rather than structural defects. The county plans to schedule the state‑mandated five‑year engineer inspection this summer once the state publishes its list of certified engineers.

Insurer and next steps: Commissioners said they will meet with the county’s insurance broker and ask Travelers to accept the state‑required engineering inspection and associated timeline. Commissioners also asked staff to invite Jay (a state contact) and Jade (county staff) to a work session and to request a certified engineer list from DNRC as soon as it becomes available. The county did not say Travelers had cancelled coverage; Commissioners said they anticipated being able to produce the state‑required engineering inspection and then share results with Travelers to secure renewal.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to report back after meeting with the insurance broker and DNRC. The county will prioritize the certified five‑year engineer inspection required by DNRC and try to resolve the timing dispute with Travelers.