Dams

A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 49-11-120(4) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "DAM", TO INCLUDE THE ERECTION OF AN ARTIFICIAL BARRIER FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING A RESERVOIR, TO CLARIFY THAT FAILURE OF A DAM MUST CAUSE DANGER TO HUMAN LIFE OR THE PROPERTY OF OTHERS, AND TO ADD NEW EXCEPTIONS TO THE DEFINITION; TO AMEND ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 11, TITLE 49 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DAMS AND RESERVOIRS SAFETY ACT, TO PROVIDE THAT OWNERS OF EXISTING DAMS OR PROPERTY OWNERS INTENDING TO CONSTRUCT OR ENLARGE A DAM MAY RECEIVE FROM THE DEPARTMENT A DETERMINATION CONCERNING WHETHER THE DAM IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 3; TO AMEND SECTION 49-11-150 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO AN OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFE MAINTENANCE OF A DAM OR RESERVOIR, TO PROVIDE THAT THE OWNER OF A DAM OR RESERVOIR MUST PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION AND A COMPLETED DAM OWNER CHECKLIST TO THE DEPARTMENT ON A CERTAIN SCHEDULE, TO PROVIDE FOR A CURRENT EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN, AND TO PROVIDE FOR NOTICE OF POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL FAILURES; TO AMEND SECTION 49-11-160 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO ORDERS TO MAINTAIN, ALTER, REPAIR, OR REMOVE A DAM OR RESERVOIR, TO CHANGE THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE AN ORDER DIRECTING THE OWNER OF A DAM OR RESERVOIR TO UNDERTAKE NECESSARY MAINTENANCE, ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS, OR REMOVAL; TO AMEND SECTION 49-11-170 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO BRINGING UNSAFE DAMS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEPARTMENT, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT CANNOT REQUIRE CHANGES TO A DAM OR RESERVOIR DUE TO RECLASSIFICATION UNLESS NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE; TO AMEND SECTION 49-11-200 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT APPROVAL REQUIRED FOR CONSTRUCTION OR ALTERATION, TO PROVIDE THAT CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW DAM OR RESERVOIR OR THE ENLARGEMENT, REMOVAL, OR REPAIR OF AN EXISTING DAM OR RESERVOIR MAY NOT BEGIN UNLESS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND TO PROVIDE FOR EXCEPTIONS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-3370 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO TAX CREDITS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION, OR RESTORATION OF WATER IMPOUNDMENTS AND WATER CONTROL STRUCTURES, TO PROVIDE THAT A TAXPAYER MAY CLAIM A CREDIT OF UP TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF THE DEPARTMENT RECLASSIFYING THE DAM.