Posted: | December 2, 2016 12:36 PM |
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From: | Senator Michele Brooks |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Dam Safety and Encroachments Act Exemption for Farmers |
In the near future, I plan on re-introducing legislation that would amend the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act (Act 325 of 1978) to exempt farmers clearing streams of debris on their property from the cumbersome permitting process required by the Act and its corresponding regulations. Heavy rains can clog streams with logs, gravel and other debris, causing greater impact for future rain events. Further, related stream bank erosion can cause serious safety hazards as well as loss of tillable crop acreage. Unfortunately, our regulations too often become obstacles to addressing these problems rather than tools needed to help our residents. Our farmers do not need bureaucrats and regulations to guide them in protecting their farmlands and waterways, nor should they face fines and penalties for maintaining their own property. This legislation was Senate Bill 444 of last session and co-sponsors were Senators Hutchinson, Scarnati, Folmer, Vogel, Vulakovich, Ward, White, and Yaw. |
Introduced as SB371