Risk assessments planned for dams.

• Author: Book, Elizabeth G.
• Position: Security Beat

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation will conduct security risk assessments for 10 of the nation's largest dams and water treatment facilities. The Bureau of Reclamation awarded Arlington, Va.-based firm Veridian Corporation a $1.3 million contract to perform the work. The Bureau of Reclamation owns and operates most of the large dams and reservoirs in 17 western states.

Ed Jopeck, Veridian's director of security analysis and risk management, said "the project began in response to the September 11 events and subsequent warnings that our nation's critical water infrastructure was vulnerable to increasing threats from terrorists."

The company already performs risk assessments and risk management projects for water supply systems across the country. The risk management...