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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 12, 2012 02:27 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Martin T. Causer |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Amending the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act (Prior HB 2359) |
| In the near future, I plan to reintroduce legislation amending the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act (Act 325 of 1978) requiring the Environmental Quality Board to establish guidelines for stream clearing activities by persons owning adjacent property or local municipalities. This legislation, which was House Bill 2359 in the prior session, passed the House by a vote of 136-60, but was not considered in the Senate. This legislation will provide for a clear and streamlined system of removing stream obstructions. Too often, we find that the permitting process for clearing obstructions from streams is both costly and cumbersome. And as recent flooding events have illustrated, obstructions can become flood-related hazards that threaten life and property. While some smaller stream clearings can be completed without permits, other minor problems like gravel bars frequently cannot. However, as such projects involve clearing channels and not altering any watercourse or creating any significant impacts on our waterways, my legislation will create a clear and effective process to better manage these problems without an unnecessary, complicated and expensive permitting process. Finally, this plan includes measures to further expedite stream clearings when such activities are deemed to be an emergency by local, county, or state authorities. Previous cosponsors: HUTCHINSON, EVERETT, GABLER, BAKER, CALTAGIRONE, FLECK, GEIST, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HALUSKA, HARPER, HESS, M. K. KELLER, KILLION, MAJOR, METCALFE, MILLARD, MURT, PICKETT, PYLE, RAPP, READSHAW, SONNEY, STERN, VULAKOVICH and BROOKS |
Introduced as HB443