LEVEES ‘MINIMALLY ACCEPTABLE’

DAYTON - The Dayton Levee System, jointly operated and maintained by the city of Dayton and Columbia County, received an overall system rating of "minimally acceptable" this week following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers periodic inspections conducted in February.

The levee system's rating means it remains eligible to ap­ply for federal rehabilitation assistance if it is damaged in a flood or storm event.

The Dayton Levee System consists of left and right bank segments along the Touchet River that were constructed in 1965. Inspections and assessments provide continuous feedback about levee systems and their reliability and are a critical part of the Corps' Levee Safety Program. Routine inspections, conducted annually, focus on the operation and maintenance of the project. The executive summary of the levee's most recent periodic inspection reports can be obtained by contacting Herb Bessey at (509) 527-7144. Corps of Engineers project ratings do not determine final eligibility under the National Flood Insurance Program, a FEMA-managed program. For information concerning the National Flood Insurance Program contact your local city or county representative, or the Federal Emergency Manage­ment Agency (FEMA).