I. Purpose
To provide for the comprehensive
regulation and supervision of dams for the health, safety, and welfare
of the citizens of Arkansas;
To assure proper planning, design,
construction, maintenance, monitoring, and supervision of dams, including
such preventive measures necessary to provide an adequate margin of safety.
II. Authority
Subchapter 2 of
Chapter 22 of Title 15 of the Arkansas Code of 1987, As Amended, authorizes
the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission to develop and enforce
rules and regulations governing the design and operation of dams in the
State.
III. Jurisdiction
All dams with height
of 25 or more feet and containing 50 acre-feet or more of storage
at normal pool must have a valid construction and operation permit from
the Commission, unless they are owned by the United States Government.
If smaller dams pose a threat to life or property, they may also require
regulation by the State based on a petition by downstream landowners and
results of a public hearing.
IV. Duties of the
Dam Safety Section include:
-
Reviewing applications
for permits to assure proper safety standards are met
-
Issuing permits to
construct and operate a dam in the State
-
Inspecting dams under
State jurisdiction
-
Providing information
and education to dam owners and the public
-
Overseeing the development
and implementation of emergency action plans for high hazard dams
-
Responding to dam emergencies
-
Maintaining a database
and files on dams in the State
-
Collecting annual permit
fees (handled through the Financial Affairs Office)
