2012 -- H 7702

=======

LC01692

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- INSPECTION OF DAMS

     

     

     Introduced By: Representative Arthur Handy

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2012

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Section 46-19-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-19 entitled "Inspection

1-2

of Dams and Reservoirs" is hereby amended to read as follows:

1-3

     46-19-4. Investigations and orders as to unsafe dams and reservoirs. -- (a) The

1-4

director of the department of environmental management, on application made to him or her in

1-5

writing by any person owning or representing property liable to injury or destruction by the

1-6

breaking of any dam or reservoir, or on an application made by any mayor or city council of any

1-7

city, or by the town council of any town, on account of danger of loss of life or of injury to any

1-8

highway or bridge therein, from the breaking of any dam or reservoir, or, without the complaint,

1-9

whenever he or she shall have cause to apprehend that any dam or reservoir is unsafe, shall

1-10

forthwith view and thoroughly examine the dam or reservoir, or cause the dam or reservoir to be

1-11

viewed and examined. And if in the judgment of the director the dam or reservoir be not

1-12

sufficiently strong to resist the pressure of water upon it, or if from any other cause the director

1-13

shall determine the dam or reservoir to be unsafe, or if in his or her judgment there is reasonable

1-14

cause to believe that danger to life or property may be apprehended from the unsafe dam or

1-15

reservoir, the director shall determine whether the water in the reservoir shall be drawn off in

1-16

whole or in part, and what alterations, additions, and repairs are necessary to be made to the dam

1-17

or reservoir to make the dam or reservoir safe, and shall forthwith in writing under his or her hand

1-18

notify the owner or person having control of the dam or reservoir to cause the additions,

1-19

alterations, and repairs in the dam or reservoir to be made within a time to be limited in the

1-20

notice; and may order the water in the reservoir to be drawn off, in whole or in part, as the

2-1

director may determine.

2-2

      (b) If such order is not carried out within the time specified, or if the owner of the dam

2-3

cannot be determined, the director of the department of environmental management or the

2-4

director's duly authorized agents may carry out the actions to mitigate the unsafe condition as

2-5

required by the order, provided the director has determined that an emergency exists and the

2-6

safety of life and/or property is endangered. The director is hereby authorized to assess the costs

2-7

of such action, including the use of deed restrictions, against the person owning or having care

2-8

and control of the dam.

2-9

     (c) Any order or notice issued by the director shall be eligible for recordation under

2-10

chapter 13 of title 34. The director shall forward the original order or notice to the city or town

2-11

wherein the subject property is located and the order or notice shall be recorded in the land

2-12

evidence records in the city or town wherein the subject property is located. Any subsequent

2-13

transferee of that property shall be responsible for complying with the requirements of the order

2-14

or notice. Upon satisfactory completion of the requirements of the order or notice, the director

2-15

shall provide written notice of the same, which notice shall be similarly eligible for recordation.

2-16

The original written notice shall be forwarded to the city or town wherein the subject property is

2-17

located and the notice of satisfactory completion shall be recorded in the land evidence records in

2-18

the city or town wherein the subject property is located.

2-19

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC01692

=======

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- INSPECTION OF DAMS

***

3-1

     This act would expand the ability of the director of the department of environmental

3-2

management to regulate water dam safety.

3-3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC01692

=======

H7702