Requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures; authorizes Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs levels in response to severe weather events.
Impact
The bill aims to implement more stringent flood control measures associated with reservoir management. Specifically, it involves creating flood action plans for reservoir owners, who must design and maintain flood gates to help manage water levels. The established rules and regulations seek to position New Jersey in a better place to handle extreme weather conditions and mitigate flooding impacts on communities. The requirement for compliance within 90 days of rule adoption further ensures that reservoir owners are promptly responsive to established safety measures.
Summary
Senate Bill 790 requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of New Jersey to identify reservoirs that have documented histories of flooding. The bill mandates the DEP to assess both the water storage capacity of these reservoirs and the needs of the communities they serve. Furthermore, it stipulates that the DEP must establish maximum water levels for these reservoirs to reduce the risks of flooding while ensuring an adequate water supply for downstream usage. The intent behind this requirement is to enhance public safety and water resource management amid increasing severe weather events.
Contention
One potential point of contention among stakeholders may center on the authority given to the Office of Emergency Management to reduce reservoir levels during severe weather events. This provision could raise questions about the balance of local control versus state intervention in water management practices. Owners of reservoirs may have concerns regarding liability and compliance costs related to the flood action plans. The indemnification clause serves to address some of these concerns, yet the effectiveness of this bill can depend largely on how these regulations are implemented and how effectively they can mitigate flooding dangers.
Same As
Requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures; authorizes Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs levels in response to severe weather events.
Requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures; authorizes Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs levels in response to severe weather events.
Requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures; authorizes Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs levels in response to severe weather events.
Relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams or reservoirs operated and maintained for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and sediment control.
Relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams or reservoirs operated and maintained for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and sediment control.
Relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams or reservoirs operated and maintained for the purposes of erosion, floodwater, and sediment control.
Requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures; authorizes Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs levels in response to severe weather events.
Requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures; authorizes Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs levels in response to severe weather events.