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County warned of extra costs for mandated five‑year dam inspection; state cost‑share unclear
Summary
An engineering firm quoted about $21,000 for the mandated five‑year dam inspection but staff and the consulting engineer warned that required hydrology, geotechnical or stability analyses may not exist and could add cost; the commissioner directed staff to ask the state whether those additional studies would be cost‑shared.
County engineering staff and an outside consultant briefed commissioners on a required five‑year dam inspection. The engineering task-order quote presented to the commission was approximately $21,000 for the inspection. Staff and the consultant noted the county lacks certain historical materials commonly requested with modern inspections—instrumentation or monitoring data for the dam, stability analyses, geotechnical drilling records, and as‑built drawings dating to original construction. Those items are not included in the $21,000 quote and, if the DNRC requires additional hydraulic, geotechnical, or stability studies, the county could face further costs.
Commissioners asked whether the state would cost‑share any additional work. The consultant (Benjamin Cope of Morrison) agreed to contact the DNRC to clarify which items the state would require and whether those additional studies would be covered under the usual 50/50 cost‑share the county has used in the past for DNRC inspections. Staff sought clarification because some required studies—if mandated—would add materially to the county’s out-of-pocket expense.
The commission asked staff to follow up with Benjamin and DNRC and return with a clear schedule and cost estimate; staff indicated the consultant expects to complete the required work before the June 3 deadline if cost‑share issues are resolved.
No formal vote was required; staff will return when DNRC and the consultant clarify which additional studies, if any, are required and whether cost‑sharing will apply.
