This bill amends the "Safe Dam Act," P.L.1981, c.249, to enhance the criteria used by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) when classifying dams based on their hazard potential. Specifically, it mandates that the DEP's classification system must now consider not only the potential loss of life and property damage but also the impacts on natural resources, including wildlife, aquatic life, habitats, and historical or archaeological resources. The new legal language specifies that the classification system will take these factors into account as part of the dam safety inspection and reporting procedure.

The bill also outlines that the Commissioner of Environmental Protection is required to establish a periodic dam safety inspection and reporting procedure, which includes inspections by professional engineers. This amendment aims to ensure a more comprehensive assessment of dam safety that reflects the broader environmental implications of dam failures, thereby promoting better protection of both human life and natural resources. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 58:4-8.2