This bill amends the "Safe Dam Act," P.L.1981, c.249 (C.58:4-8.1 et seq.) 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 classification system must now consider not only the potential loss of life and property damage but also the impacts on natural resources, which include wildlife, fish, aquatic life, habitats, plants, and historic or archaeological resources.

To implement this change, the bill requires the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to adopt a periodic dam safety inspection and reporting procedure, which will involve professional engineers assessing the safety of dams. The new legal language inserted into the current law emphasizes the importance of evaluating the ecological consequences of dam failures alongside traditional safety concerns. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that environmental impacts are factored into dam safety assessments, thereby promoting better protection of both human and natural resources.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 58:4-8.2