This process is going to include several daunting challenges. Among them, it's going to be really tough to . . .
-- listen to opposing viewpoints
-- listen to contrasting opinions
-- consider any of the structural, meteorological, or environmental characteristics of this dam
-- illuminate, clarify, support, or justify my reasoning
-- consider the opinion of the mayor
-- consider the opinion of the dam safety officer
-- take any rational decision regarding the future of this dam.
The reason for the difficulty behind all of these is the dearth of information given in the question.
These folks are going to have to come up with a whole lot more details and information on the existing structure, its history and its composition. If that's too much trouble for them, or they don't like it, then I am out of here, and they can go and get themselves another dam consulting engineer.
