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Treasury Targets Global Network Procuring Weapons for Iranian Regime
WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release on July 15, 2026:
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Treasury Targets Global Network Procuring Weapons for Iranian Regime
Today, following Iran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned seven individuals and entities involved in an international network supporting weapons procurement efforts on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The actors designated today exemplify Iran's use of foreign aviation and transport
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WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release on July 15, 2026:
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Treasury Targets Global Network Procuring Weapons for Iranian Regime
Today, following Iran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned seven individuals and entities involved in an international network supporting weapons procurement efforts on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The actors designated today exemplify Iran's use of foreign aviation and transportfirms, financial conduits, and travel coordinators to obscure the IRGC's role in illicit procurement and to move material and personnel globally. OFAC will continue to disrupt the overseas procurement and financial networks that sustain Iran's weapons production and proliferation efforts, which threaten Americans and U.S. partners and allies worldwide.
"President Trump has been clear that Iran must denuclearize," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Treasury will continue to target and disrupt the illicit procurement networks that fund Iran's weapons programs and war machine."
Today's action builds on OFAC's May 8, 2026 and June 10, 2026 designations, which targeted, among others, procurement networks that sourced weapons for the IRGC and Iran's Center for Innovation and Technology Cooperation (CITC), including man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS). OFAC is acting pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferators and their supporters. The U.S. Department of State designated the IRGC pursuant to E.O. 13382 in October 2007 in connection with Iran's ballistic missile program, and today's action advances National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, which directs the U.S. government to deny the IRGC access to assets and resources that sustain its destabilizing activities.
IRGC PROCUREMENT NETWORK
Iranian national Behrouz Namazi (Namazi) is the general director of Nika Jet Company, a Tehran-based provider of services for the production, distribution, and maintenance of aircraft parts and drones. Namazi has sought to secure weapons on behalf of the IRGC. Nigeria-based Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited (Vanguard Tactical Supply) is an intermediary for Namazi's efforts, and Milan-based Italian national Dounia Ettaib (Ettaib) is a witting participant in efforts to procure weapons for Namazi.
Russian national Mariya Vladimirovna Selina (Selina) is a longtime procurement agent for Iran. Selina is the head of the financial department at Avratek OOO (Avratek), an aviation transportation company based in Moscow, and has supported Namazi's procurement efforts on behalf of the IRGC. Russian national Vadim Anatolyevich Druzhbin (Druzhbin) is also an employee at Avratek and has coordinated travel for Namazi and Selina. Druzhbin has previously been involved in coordinating Iranian shipments.
Namazi and Selina are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, the IRGC. Nika Jet is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Namazi. Vanguard Tactical Supply, Ettaib, and Avratek are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Namazi. Druzhbin is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Avratek.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.
Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. Individuals located in the U.S. or abroad who provide information about sanctions violations to FinCEN's whistleblower incentive program may be eligible for awards if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action that results in monetary penalties exceeding $1,000,000.
Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated today may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions. OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority.
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List (https://ofac.treasury.gov/specially-designated-nationals-list-sdn-list/filing-a-petition-for-removal-from-an-ofac-list).
Click here for more information on the persons designated today (https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20260715).
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Original text here: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0564
SEC Obtains Final Consent Judgment as to Michael J. Forster in Connection With Alleged Pump-and-Dump Scheme
WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 22-civ-627; S.D. Cal. filed May 4, 2022) involving Michael J. Forster:
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On July 13, 2026, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California entered a final consent judgment as to Michael J. Forster in connection with his role in an alleged pump-and-dump scheme.
The SEC filed its complaint against Forsteron May 4, 2022. The SEC's complaint alleged that between February and August 2012, Forster orchestrated a pump-and-dump scheme in the stock of Cuba Beverage Company.
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WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 22-civ-627; S.D. Cal. filed May 4, 2022) involving Michael J. Forster:
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On July 13, 2026, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California entered a final consent judgment as to Michael J. Forster in connection with his role in an alleged pump-and-dump scheme.
The SEC filed its complaint against Forsteron May 4, 2022. The SEC's complaint alleged that between February and August 2012, Forster orchestrated a pump-and-dump scheme in the stock of Cuba Beverage Company.In connection with the scheme, Forster allegedly controlled the issuer, engaged in manipulative trading, and promoted the stock to retail investors. When investors began buying the stock, Forster would allegedly sell his shares, which netted him $144,320 in that period.
The SEC charged Forster with violations of Sections 9(a)(2) and 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder as well as Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933. The Court entered a partial consent judgment with Forster on May 20, 2022. This judgment permanently enjoined him from further violations of the charged provisions of the federal securities laws and imposed a penny stock bar.
The final consent judgment issued on July 13, 2026, orders Forster to pay disgorgement of $144,320 and prejudgment interest thereon of $12,040, payment of which is deemed satisfied by the order of forfeiture entered against him in the parallel criminal action, United States v. Forster, 20 cr. 325 (S.D. Cal.).
The SEC's litigation was led by Christopher J. Dunnigan and Lindsay S. Moilanen, and was supervised by Christopher Colorado and Sheldon L. Pollock. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California and the FBI.
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Resources
* Final Judgment (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/judg26586.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26586
Lynn Man Sentenced for Receiving Stolen Government Money and Making False Statements
BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts posted the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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Lynn Man Sentenced for Receiving Stolen Government Money and Making False Statements
A Lynn man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for receiving stolen Social Security benefits and making false statements.
James C. Burdulis, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to one day of prison deemed served, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $67,159 in restitution. In April 2026, Burdulis
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts posted the following news release on July 14, 2026:
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Lynn Man Sentenced for Receiving Stolen Government Money and Making False Statements
A Lynn man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for receiving stolen Social Security benefits and making false statements.
James C. Burdulis, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to one day of prison deemed served, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $67,159 in restitution. In April 2026, Burdulispleaded guilty to one count of receiving stolen government money or property and one count of false statements. Burdulis was charged on March 26, 2026.
Burdulis received $63,959 in stolen Social Security benefits and $3,200 in COVID economic impact payments (EIP) from June 2019 through June 2025 that were intended for a beneficiary who had died. Prior to the beneficiary's death in May 2019, Burdulis had been appointed as the beneficiary's representative payee to manage their Social Security benefits and provide regular accountings to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Between June 2020 and June 2024, Burdulis submitted five fraudulent representative payee reports to the SSA under penalty of perjury in which he stated that he spent money received from the SSA on behalf of the deceased beneficiary after their death. Further, Burdulis submitted a fraudulent verification form to the SSA in September 2020 stating that the deceased beneficiary continued to live at the same location.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/lynn-man-sentenced-receiving-stolen-government-money-and-making-false-statements
Justice Department Triples Claims Processed Under Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program
WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on July 15, 2026:
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Justice Department Triples Claims Processed Under Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program
$96 million in benefits claims finalized for eligible surviving families of fallen public safety officers
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Over the last four weeks, the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has finalized more than three times the number of Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program death claim determinations in comparison to the previous nine-month period providing over $96 million
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WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on July 15, 2026:
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Justice Department Triples Claims Processed Under Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program
$96 million in benefits claims finalized for eligible surviving families of fallen public safety officers
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Over the last four weeks, the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has finalized more than three times the number of Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program death claim determinations in comparison to the previous nine-month period providing over $96 millionin benefits to eligible surviving families of fallen public safety officers.
"Law enforcement officers, firefighters, other public safety officers, and their families devote their lives to keeping us safe and serving their communities. When they experience a tragedy in the line of duty, it is our duty to provide timely support in any way that we can," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The PSOB Program provides death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty and education benefits to their families. OJP receives more than 1,200 applications each year, working closely with survivors, injured officers, and employing agencies to process applications and adjudicate eligible claims. The PSOB Office also collaborates with national law enforcement, firefighter, and first responder organizations to assist with preparation of PSOB applications and offer survivor peer support, counseling services, and other resources to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders nationwide.
"From day one as the Associate Attorney General, I have made it my mission to cut through red tape, get to the bottom of bureaucratic federal processes, and ensure our actions speak louder than our words," said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. "Four weeks ago, I directed OJP to surge additional resources to the PSOB team to support outreach to applicants, evidence gathering, and claim review and determination. This Department of Justice is unwavering in our commitment to promptly and fairly recognize the sacrifice their loved ones made in service to our Nation."
The Department of Justice is committed to doing our part to support officers and their families and keeping up this momentum for current and future PSOB applicants.
Additional information about the PSOB Program and how to file or access a claim is available at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/psob. If you have questions about the PSOB Program, please call 1-888-744-6513 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time or email AskPSOB@usdoj.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-triples-claims-processed-under-public-safety-officers-benefits-program
FCC to Vote on Replacing National Broadcast Ownership Cap
WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following statement on July 15, 2026, by Chairman Brendan Carr:
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FCC to Vote on Replacing National Broadcast Ownership Cap
New Rules Would Adopt a Case-by-Case Review That Only Authorizes Deals That Satisfy Agency's Public Interest Review Standard
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Today, Chairman Brendan Carr published an op-ed in Breitbart announcing that the FCC will vote on August 6 on an Order that repeals the FCC's 39% national television multiple ownership rule. Specifically, the FCC will vote to replace the national cap with a granular, case-by-case
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WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following statement on July 15, 2026, by Chairman Brendan Carr:
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FCC to Vote on Replacing National Broadcast Ownership Cap
New Rules Would Adopt a Case-by-Case Review That Only Authorizes Deals That Satisfy Agency's Public Interest Review Standard
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Today, Chairman Brendan Carr published an op-ed in Breitbart announcing that the FCC will vote on August 6 on an Order that repeals the FCC's 39% national television multiple ownership rule. Specifically, the FCC will vote to replace the national cap with a granular, case-by-casereview. This will empower the FCC to approve deals that promote the public interest while allowing the agency to reject any deals that do not meet that standard. This action will foster a competitive media market, enhance localism, and promote investment in trusted sources of news and information.
Additional Background Information:
Today, the Commission exercises its authority to modify the FCC rule for the first time in over 20 years--aligning it with current market realities. In its current formulation, the national cap generally has operated as a blanket prohibition on transactions that would result in the merged entity achieving a national audience reach greater than 39% of television households. As applied, the rule generally has presumed that it would not be in the public interest to allow a particular deal in excess of this bright line limit.
Shifting from a relatively inflexible, ex ante regulation to an individualized, case-by-case assessment will help ensure that the Commission carries out its statutory mandates in an appropriate manner without having to show special circumstances that would justify a waiver of a rule that no longer serves the public interest.
Strict ownership limits on local broadcasters that prevent them from competing with other players in the modern marketplace are not in the public interest. While competitors are free to reach 100% of their relevant market segments, this FCC rule has generally limited broadcasters to competing for just 39% of theirs.
Under a case-by-case approach, the Commission's interests in localism, viewpoint diversity, and competition (to the extent they are implicated in a case) can be fully analyzed and vindicated in the context of a specific transaction. There may be transactions that would have exceeded the limits of the 39% national cap that do not promote the public interest and those will be denied. On the other hand, there may be transactions that would have exceeded the cap that do promote the public interest and could gain Commission approval.
Under these proposed new rules, any transaction that would have been barred under a strict application of the current rule will be subject to the Commission's regular review process to determine whether approval would serve the public interest. In addition, the proposed rules demonstrate that this action is within the Commission's statutory authority to repeal the rule, as multiple agency Chairs--both Republican and Democrat alike--have consistently stated. While Congress has at times directed the Commission to change our rules, it has never withdrawn our authority under the Communications Act to regulate or change ownership limits.
The draft Order will be made available to the public tomorrow on FCC.gov: https://www.fcc.gov/August2026.
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-423080A1.pdf
FCC Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau Issues Public Notice: Commission Narrows Scope of Disaster Reporting for Typhoon Bavi
WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The Federal Communications Commission Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued the following public notice (Docket No. DA 26-730):
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On July 6, 2026, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission), in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), activated the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) and the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative (MDRI) in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the U.S. Territory of Guam (Guam) in response to Super Typhoon
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WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The Federal Communications Commission Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued the following public notice (Docket No. DA 26-730):
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On July 6, 2026, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission), in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), activated the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) and the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative (MDRI) in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the U.S. Territory of Guam (Guam) in response to Super TyphoonBavi./1
DEACTIVATION OF DIRS AND THE MDRI IN GUAM
By this Public Notice, at the request of FEMA and Guam, PSHSB deactivates DIRS and the MDRI for Guam in its entirety.
Cable communications providers, wireless service providers, wireline communications providers, and interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers that provide service in the abovereferenced areas are no longer required to report their infrastructure status daily in DIRS for this event./2
As of the release of this Public Notice, cable communications providers, wireless service providers, wireline communications providers, and interconnected VoIP providers that provide service in the above-referenced areas must resume making submissions in the NORS concerning any incidents that are reportable under those rules./3
DIRS AND THE MDRI REMAIN ACTIVATED IN THE FOLLOWING GEOGRAPHIC AREAS IN THE CNMI:
CNMI: Rota, Saipan, and Tinian
Please continue to provide information to the Commission for the impacted geographic areas that are already located in the disaster area.
The Commission continues to monitor this event and may amend DIRS or the MDRI activation area in the coming days.
For further information on this DIRS activation, please contact:
FCC 24/7 Operations Center, (202) 418-1122, FCCOPS@fcc.gov
For further information concerning this MDRI activation, please contact:
FCC 24/7 Operations Center, (202) 418-1122, FCCOPS@fcc.gov
For more information on the Commission's response to Super Typhoon Bavi, please visit https://www.fcc.gov/Bavi.
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Footnotes:
1/ The Federal Communications Commission Activates the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) and the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative (MDRI) in Response to Super Typhoon Bavi, Public Notice, DA 26-667 (PSHSB Jul. 6, 2026).
2/ See 47 CFR Sec. 4.18(a)(1).
3/ See 47 CFR Sec. 4.18(b).
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-730A1.pdf
Canton Dam Inspection Preserves Critical Infrastructure
TULSA, Oklahoma, July 16 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Tulsa District issued the following news:
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Canton Dam Inspection Preserves Critical Infrastructure
Words like stilling basin and dewatering are not terms most people use in everyday conversations; for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, they represent an important part of maintaining the district's infrastructure. At Canton Lake, crews recently dewatered the stilling basin, the reinforced concrete structure below the dam's outlet works, to inspect areas that are normally submerged and help ensure the dam continues
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TULSA, Oklahoma, July 16 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Tulsa District issued the following news:
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Canton Dam Inspection Preserves Critical Infrastructure
Words like stilling basin and dewatering are not terms most people use in everyday conversations; for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, they represent an important part of maintaining the district's infrastructure. At Canton Lake, crews recently dewatered the stilling basin, the reinforced concrete structure below the dam's outlet works, to inspect areas that are normally submerged and help ensure the dam continuesto operate safely and reliably for the communities it protects.
Most visitors to Canton Lake may never think about what lies below the water at the bottom of the dam. Hidden beneath the water during normal operations, the stilling basin remains out of sight until water is removed during inspections like this, offering a rare and temporary glimpse of what lies beneath.
"The stilling basin plays a critical role in the dam's operation," said Eric Bonnell, northern area operations project manager, USACE, Tulsa District. "Water released through the gates can travel at extremely high speeds. The concrete basin is designed to slow water before it enters the river downstream, reducing the water's energy and helping prevent erosion that could damage the dam's foundation or the river channel."
Dewatering a stilling basin is similar to draining a swimming pool to inspect for worn areas or other damage hiding beneath the waterline.
The dewatering process at Canton began on Friday, July 3, when crews used a 10-inch pump and a 6-inch pump to remove water from the stilling basin and discharge it into the river channel.
Before crews could fully dewater the basin, USACE personnel and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation staff worked together to relocate the remaining fish.
"Utilizing the pumps helped lower the water to a manageable level over the weekend," said Nikisha Cook, assistant lake manager, Canton Lake, USACE, Tulsa District. "On Monday, ODWC staff joined us to help remove fish from the remaining water and relocate them upstream."
Once the rest of the water was removed, years of silt and sludge coated the stilling basin floor. Before inspections could begin, crews faced the slow, messy and hot process of removing the thick sediment.
"Working in an exposed concrete structure during the summer heat presented challenges," said Cook. "We are fortunate to have a volunteer who is also a certified emergency medical technician. Having that additional medical expertise on site provided another layer of protection for everyone involved and gave us added peace of mind while the crews worked in the heat."
Crews first gathered the heavy sediment into piles using heavy equipment before loading it into a dump truck and transporting it to a disposal area on USACE property.
With the sediment removed, engineers could access portions of the stilling basin that are normally submerged. Exposing the concrete allowed inspectors to conduct a visual and hands-on inspection of the structure and identify areas that may require maintenance or further evaluation.
"During inspection, I use a hammer to check the soundness of the concrete," said Eric Meyer, project lead, dam and levee safety, USACE, Tulsa District. "I am looking for any spalling, cracking, exposed rebar or deficiencies in the concrete within the stilling basin."
Spalling, the breaking, chipping or peeling of the concrete surface, occurs when the outer layer of the concrete deteriorates, exposing the underlying material. This can range from small, shallow patches to larger sections where concrete chunks break away.
Once the basin is dewatered, engineers inspect the structure for:
* Cracks in the concrete
* Concrete worn away by years of flowing water
* Deteriorated joints
* Signs that maintenance or repairs may be needed
Using a hammer, Meyer taps the concrete surface and listens for changes in sound that could indicate a hidden void beneath or behind the slab. Solid concrete produces a distinctly different sound than concrete with an underlying void.
While small areas of deterioration are not always a structural concern, they can indicate conditions that warrant future repairs. Documenting these conditions in the inspection report helps engineers plan future maintenance needs and address issues before they become significant.
"We have not found anything of major concern during this inspection," said Meyer. "That's the outcome we want."
These inspections help engineers make informed maintenance decisions by identifying potential issues before they become significant.
While most visitors to Canton Lake will never see the stilling basin or the work that goes into maintaining it, inspections like this ensure the dam remains ready to protect people, communities and businesses downstream. From the 16 tainter gates to the outlet works and auxiliary spillway, every component of the project plays an important role in managing floodwaters. Through proactive inspections and preventive maintenance, Tulsa District engineers help ensure Canton Dam continues to operate safely and reliably for the people who depend on it.
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Original text here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/569885/canton-dam-inspection-preserves-critical-infrastructure