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.
Documents and Forms
-
Dam Control and Safety Act Application Instructions
Please refer to this document for instructions in completing an application for a Certificate of Approval for non-coal related dams. If the dam is coal related, contact the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Mining and Reclamation. Phone: (304) 926-0490.
-
Application for a Certificate of Approval
State of West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water and Waste Management EE/Dam Safety Section Application for a Certificate OF Approval
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.
Certificate Renewal
To renew Certificates, owners are required to document the following:
-
Up-to-date inspections
- Approved Monitoring and Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
- Approved Maintenance Plan
- No outstanding safety violations
- Payment of an annual registration fee
