Final answer:
An initial reaction to being in charge of a project to repair or replace over 2,170 deficient dams might vary, reflecting the complexity and responsibility involved. Both dam repair and removal have significant impacts on the environment and human safety, demanding a measured and informed approach to managing aging infrastructure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Being placed in charge of a large project to repair or replace over 2,170 dams in the United States that are considered deficient requires a substantial assessment of the conditions involved. It's common to have a mixed initial reaction which could include feeling nervous due to the immense responsibility, excited about the opportunity to contribute to significant infrastructural improvements, confident if you have the expertise and resources, or even indifferent if the subject is not within your interests or commitments.
Dam repair and removal considerations involve recognizing the aging infrastructure and the changing perspectives on environmental impacts. The restoration of naturally fluctuating water levels, improved water quality, and increase in biodiversity, particularly with keystone species like salmon, are factors supporting dam removal in regions like the Pacific Northwest and the Atlantic coast. However, dams also play a critical role in flood control and have been known to save lives and prevent economic damage during natural disasters, as seen in historical cases where dams withstood massive floods.