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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 8, 2021 03:52 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Michele Brooks |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Dam Safety and Encroachments Act Exemption for Farmers |
| I plan to reintroduce Senate Bill 654 from the 2019-2020 legislative session, which amends the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act (Act 325 of 1978) to exempt farmers who clear streams of debris on their property from the cumbersome permitting process required by the Act and its corresponding regulations. This legislation was previously cosponsored by Senators Scarnati, Browne, Mensch, DiSanto, Folmer, Hutchinson, Langerholc, Martin, Stefano, J. Ward and K. Ward. Heavy rains can clog streams with logs, gravel and other debris, which then can have an even greater impact during subsequent rainfalls. Further, related stream bank erosion can cause serious safety hazards as well as a 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 should not be burdened with bureaucratic red tape and over-reaching regulations when they are protecting their farmlands and waterways, nor should they face fines and penalties for maintaining their own property. I hope you will join me in supporting this legislation. |
Introduced as SB469