PA Issues Violation Notices to Owners of 46 Dams Without Emergency Action Plans 

PA DEP recently issued notices of violation (NOVs) to the owners of 46 high-hazard dams that are operating without emergency action plans.

All high-hazard dams in Pennsylvania are required to have an EAP, updated every five years, which details specific steps to take in the event of a dam failure that threatens downstream communities. The 57 owners receiving notices have failed to create or update their plans in a timely manner, despite requests by DEP to bring the structures into compliance. The 57 dam owners initially contacted DEP after the Governor’s April 2004 Dam Safety Initiative was announced, but since have made no real progress toward creating or updating their emergency action plans. If owners fail to comply with the violation notice, DEP will order the impoundment drained. DEP also will assess civil penalties of up to $10,000 for failure to comply, plus as much as $500 per day for continued noncompliance. http://www.ahs.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=4184