Are critical services at risk? Concerns grow over key agency cuts
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Changes within federal agencies are raising concerns about the future of vital infrastructure across the country.
These organizations are responsible for managing essential resources and ensuring public safety, but recent workforce reductions have sparked debate.
As experts warn of potential risks, questions remain about the broader impact of these changes.
The Bureau of Reclamation, which manages water resources across 17 western states, has been significantly affected.
Nearly 400 workers have been cut due to the Trump administration’s reduction plan, raising fears about the loss of experienced professionals.
The Grand Coulee Dam, the largest hydropower generator in North America, is among the critical facilities impacted by these job cuts.
Lori Spragens, Executive Director of the Association of Dam Safety Officials, has warned that “Without these dam operators, engineers, hydrologists, geologists, researchers, emergency managers, and other experts, there is a serious potential for heightened risk to public safety and economic or environmental damage.”
The White House argues that reducing staff will help streamline disaster response and eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Also read: Is your health coverage safe? Why Medicaid could face major cuts
However, workers on the ground, like a bureau hydrologist who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press, stress the complexity of dam operations and the need for experienced professionals to monitor and respond to emergencies.
“As we scramble to get these screenings, as we lose institutional knowledge from people leaving or early retirement, we limit our ability to ensure public safety,” the worker added. “Having people available to respond to operational emergencies is critical. Cuts in staff threaten our ability to do this effectively.”
The effects of these workforce cuts extend beyond immediate safety concerns. Leaders of 14 California water and power agencies have issued warnings that losing specialists in dam operations could disrupt water delivery systems and put public health at risk.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for operating numerous dams across the country, is also facing major staffing shortages.
In Portland, Oregon, Neil Maunu—executive director of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association—stated that more than 150 workers have been notified of upcoming terminations, with projections suggesting the region could lose around 600 more.
Also read: Is tuberculosis making a comeback? How USAID cuts could trigger a global health crisis
The timing of these layoffs has raised concerns, as many of the country’s dams are already in poor condition.
A review of Army Corps data by The Associated Press found that thousands of dams are classified as unsafe and require urgent maintenance to prevent catastrophic failures.
Stephanie Duclos, a recently terminated Bureau of Reclamation employee from the Grand Coulee Dam, has voiced concerns about the impact of these cuts.
With years of experience, Duclos and her colleagues have been responsible for keeping dam operations running smoothly. Their absence raises fears of staff burnout and a decline in operational efficiency.
Senator Alex Padilla has spoken out on the issue, calling dam safety a matter of national security. He has vowed to hold the administration accountable for decisions that he believes put American infrastructure at risk.
Have you been affected by the changes in dam management? Do you have insights or experiences to share about the importance of maintaining our nation's dams? Your voice is crucial as we address these challenges together.
READ: How Trump’s proposal to extend tax cuts could affect your finances
These organizations are responsible for managing essential resources and ensuring public safety, but recent workforce reductions have sparked debate.
As experts warn of potential risks, questions remain about the broader impact of these changes.
The Bureau of Reclamation, which manages water resources across 17 western states, has been significantly affected.
Nearly 400 workers have been cut due to the Trump administration’s reduction plan, raising fears about the loss of experienced professionals.
Staff cuts at federal agencies responsible for dams threaten public safety. Image source: The Oregonian / YouTube
The Grand Coulee Dam, the largest hydropower generator in North America, is among the critical facilities impacted by these job cuts.
Lori Spragens, Executive Director of the Association of Dam Safety Officials, has warned that “Without these dam operators, engineers, hydrologists, geologists, researchers, emergency managers, and other experts, there is a serious potential for heightened risk to public safety and economic or environmental damage.”
The White House argues that reducing staff will help streamline disaster response and eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Also read: Is your health coverage safe? Why Medicaid could face major cuts
However, workers on the ground, like a bureau hydrologist who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press, stress the complexity of dam operations and the need for experienced professionals to monitor and respond to emergencies.
“As we scramble to get these screenings, as we lose institutional knowledge from people leaving or early retirement, we limit our ability to ensure public safety,” the worker added. “Having people available to respond to operational emergencies is critical. Cuts in staff threaten our ability to do this effectively.”
The effects of these workforce cuts extend beyond immediate safety concerns. Leaders of 14 California water and power agencies have issued warnings that losing specialists in dam operations could disrupt water delivery systems and put public health at risk.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for operating numerous dams across the country, is also facing major staffing shortages.
In Portland, Oregon, Neil Maunu—executive director of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association—stated that more than 150 workers have been notified of upcoming terminations, with projections suggesting the region could lose around 600 more.
Also read: Is tuberculosis making a comeback? How USAID cuts could trigger a global health crisis
The timing of these layoffs has raised concerns, as many of the country’s dams are already in poor condition.
A review of Army Corps data by The Associated Press found that thousands of dams are classified as unsafe and require urgent maintenance to prevent catastrophic failures.
Stephanie Duclos, a recently terminated Bureau of Reclamation employee from the Grand Coulee Dam, has voiced concerns about the impact of these cuts.
With years of experience, Duclos and her colleagues have been responsible for keeping dam operations running smoothly. Their absence raises fears of staff burnout and a decline in operational efficiency.
Senator Alex Padilla has spoken out on the issue, calling dam safety a matter of national security. He has vowed to hold the administration accountable for decisions that he believes put American infrastructure at risk.
READ: How Trump’s proposal to extend tax cuts could affect your finances
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