ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1468

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 12, 2024

      The Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1468.

      This bill would amend the "Safe Dam Act," P.L.1981, c.249 (C.58:4-8.1 et seq.) to require that any classification system for the hazard potential of dams adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) take into potential loss of life, property damage, and impacts to natural resources.

      Under current law, the DEP has adopted a classification system, which classifies dams as either:

      (1) Class I – loss of life or extensive property damage is probable upon dam failure;

      (2) Class 2 – likely significant damage to property and project operation upon dam failure, but loss of human life is not envisioned;

      (3) Class 3 – dam failure would cause loss of the dam itself but little or no additional damage to other property; or

      (4) Class 4 – for small dams that pose a negligible hazard potential.

      The bill would require the DEP to consider potential damage to natural resources when classifying dams, in addition to potential loss of human life and destruction of property.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.