TEMPLE—The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) has been selected to receive the 2022 Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) West Regional Award of Merit. One Regional Award of Merit is presented in each ASDSO region annually to an individual, company, organization, municipality, or other entity that has made outstanding contributions to dam safety on the local, county, state, or regional level. This nomination for the TSSWCB was selected with the concurrence of the ASDSO West Regional Representatives.
“We are honored to be recognized for our efforts in the operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair of Texas’ flood control structures to protect lives, property, and public infrastructure,” said Steve Bednarz, Flood Control Program Administrator and Lead Engineer.
The mission of the ASDSO is to improve the condition and safety of dams through education, support for state dam safety programs, and fostering a unified dam safety community. ASDSO consists of four regions, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and West.
TSSWCB works to ensure that the State’s network of over 2,000 flood control structures is protecting lives and property by providing grants to local dam sponsors for operation, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation. These dams were planned, designed, and constructed by the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service Watershed and Flood Prevention Program. After construction was completed, local sponsors (units of government) became responsible for proper care of the dams to ensure they continue to provide flood control benefits.
“Our staff, with the help of the Texas Legislature, has worked tirelessly to support flood control efforts across the state in order to protect the citizens of Texas,” said Rex Isom, TSSWCB Executive Director.
TSSWCB works in conjunction with the state’s 216 Soil and Water Conservation Districts to administer soil and water conservation law and encourage the wise and productive use of natural resources. TSSWCB’s goal is to ensure the availability of those resources for future generations, so that all Texans’ present and future needs can be met in a manner that promotes a clean, healthy environment and strong economic growth.