HB610 Summary

• Establishes comprehensive state regulation of dam safety in Alabama through the Office of Water Resources of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, with exclusive statewide jurisdiction over all dams.

• Requires dam owners to obtain written application approval before constructing, reconstructing, enlarging, repairing, altering, operating, abandoning, or removing dams, with all work directed by licensed professional engineers.

• Creates definitions and classifications for dams (based on size and storage capacity) and hazard potential levels (high, significant, and low), with specific requirements for emergency action plans for high and significant hazard potential dams.

• Establishes a Dam Rehabilitation Loan Program as a revolving fund to provide low-interest loans to dam owners for safety-related repairs and rehabilitation projects, funded through legislative appropriations and collected fees.

• Imposes civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation, criminal penalties ranging from $2,500-$50,000 per day for knowing violations, and authorizes the office to take emergency control of unsafe dams at the owner's expense.