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2019 SESSION

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HB 1715 Dams; prohibited vegetation, certain wetland vegetation allowed.

Introduced by: David L. Bulova | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Dams; wetland vegetation. Exempts wetland vegetation growing on certain regulated impounding structures from the requirement that all vegetation be removed from such dams. The bill exempts vegetation associated with a wetland mitigation bank or in-lieu fee site that has regulatory approval and is the subject of a recorded, permanent instrument protecting the vegetation from removal. The bill allows the Department of Conservation and Recreation to require the dam owner to remove trees by flush cutting unless the Department determines on the basis of site-specific information that the grubbing of roots is necessary to protect the integrity of the dam.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Dams; prohibited vegetation; certain wetland vegetation allowed. Prohibits the Department of Conservation and Recreation (the Department) from requiring the removal of wetland vegetation that is growing on certain portions of a dam if the vegetation is associated with an approved wetland mitigation bank that is the subject of a recorded restrictive covenant specifically protecting it from removal. Current law requires dam owners to remove all trees and other woody vegetation from dam embankments, abutments, and other surfaces. The bill also authorizes the Department, in the case of an approved wetland mitigation bank, to allow the removal of trees by flush cutting unless it determines that the grubbing of roots is necessary to protect the integrity of the dam.