The bill proposes a procedure for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to transfer ownership of state-owned dams to municipalities or other interested entities. It requires the department to first offer the dam to the municipality where it is located, and if the municipality declines, the offer can be extended to other parties. If no party accepts ownership within 90 days, the department may remove the dam, unless the dam poses an imminent danger of failure. The bill also creates a Dam Maintenance Revolving Loan Fund to assist with the maintenance and repair of municipally owned dams, which will be funded through various sources, including federal grants and private donations. An initial appropriation of $1 is made to the fund, which will be operational once it accrues at least $2.5 million.

The financial impact of the bill on the state is indeterminate and could be up to $1 million annually, depending on the number of dams transferred and the associated costs of transfer, such as staff time and necessary studies. The impact on local government finances will vary based on the municipality's decision to accept a dam and the costs for repair and maintenance. The bill does not authorize new positions for its implementation, and the Department of Environmental Services will manage the loan program, with the ability to use up to 5% or $200,000 of the fund's balance for administrative costs. The exact costs are unpredictable and will depend on various factors, including the condition of the dams and the decisions made by municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 482:55
As Amended by the House: 6:12