This amendment (on page 19), to be considered by the Virginia General Assembly during the Reconvened Session, will eliminate dam safety regulation for approximately 150 dams in the Commonwealth.  VFMA opposes this ammendment as we and other organizations have worked hard to avoid plans such as this while dam related legislation was in committee during the regular session.  This amendment would broaden the definition of an "agricultural dam" to not only include those dams operated primarily for agricultural, but also those that are for "agricultural preservation and conservation".  It also puts larger dams outside the regulations by increasing the allowable height to 30 feet.  Once unregulated, these structures in rural locations are difficult to find and hard to maintain in some cases.  This can result in decreased public safety since these dams will no longer fall under the Commonwealth's Dam Safety Program. 

 

If you would like to express your opinion on the matter, please contact your legislators and send an email before the session begins this week.