Overview
Construction, modification, or removal of a dam under state jurisdiction requires a Certificate of Approval. Upon receipt of an application, Dam Safety reviews the design of the engineering proposal. Safety standards set by the Dam Safety Rule must be met before the Division of Water and Waste Management issues certificates. Annual renewal of Certificates helps to ensure that dams are maintained in a safe condition.
Public Participation
Each application must be advertised as a Class 1 legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the dam is located. Class 1 advertisements are published once, not on sequential days. Persons wishing to request a hearing must write to the Dam Safety Section within 15 days of the advertisement publication. Upon receipt of a hearing request, Dam Safety is required by law to schedule a hearing. Citizen's concerns will be taken into consideration in the Department's decision to either refuse, or to issue an approval.