Dear readers, Dam safety and security form an integral part of this issue of IWP&DC. Following on from the tragic events in New York on 11 September 2001, dam security has become paramount across the US. On pp16-8, Rudy Matalucci from Sandia National Laboratories tells us more about the latest development to help dam and hydro plant owners assess the security risks associated with their facilities.
Risk assessment is also very much on Martin Wieland's mind. The chairman of icold's Committee on Seismic Aspects of Dam Design urges industry members to ensure they take seismic safety, particularly of existing dams, as seriously as dam opponents. See pp20-22 for more details.
Sue Pritchard, Editor
