West Virginia Code 22-14-9 – Inspections during progress of work on dam
During the placement, construction, enlargement, repair, alteration or removal of any dam, the secretary shall, either with the department's own engineers or by consulting engineers or engineering organizations, make periodic inspections for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the certificate of approval. The secretary shall require the owner at his or her expense to perform work or tests as necessary and to provide adequate supervision during the placement, construction, enlargement, repair, alteration or removal of a dam: Provided, That with respect to dams designed by and constructed under the supervision of the natural resources conservation service, as to such dams no state inspections are required.
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 22-14-9
- Certificate of approval: means the written approval issued by the secretary to a person who has applied to the secretary for a certificate of approval that authorizes the person to place, construct, enlarge, alter, repair or remove a dam and specifies the conditions or limitations under which the work is to be performed by that person. See West Virginia Code 22-14-3
- Dam: means an artificial barrier or obstruction, including any works appurtenant to it and any reservoir created by it, which is or will be placed, constructed, enlarged, altered or repaired so that it does or will impound or divert water and:
(A) Is or will be twenty-five feet or more in height from the natural bed of the stream or watercourse measured at the downstream toe of the barrier and which does or can impound fifteen acre-feet or more of water. See West Virginia Code 22-14-3
- Director: means the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection or his or her designee. See West Virginia Code 22-1-2
- Enlargement: means any change in or addition to an existing dam which: (1) Raises the height of the dam. See West Virginia Code 22-14-3
- Natural Resources Conservation Service: means the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture or any successor or predecessor agency, including the Soil Conservation Service. See West Virginia Code 22-14-3
- Owner: means any person who:
(1) Holds legal possession, ownership or partial ownership of an interest in a dam, its appurtenant works or the real property the dam is situated upon. See West Virginia Code 22-14-3
- Secretary: means the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. See West Virginia Code 22-14-3
- State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
If at any time during placement, construction, enlargement, repair, alteration or removal of any dam, the secretary finds that the work is not being done in accordance with the provisions of the original or revised certificate of approval, the secretary shall notify the owner by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to correct the deficiency, cease and desist work or to show cause as to why the certificate of approval should not be revoked.
The notice shall state the reason or reasons why the work is not in accordance with the certificate of approval. The secretary may order that work on the dam cease until the owner has complied with the notice.
If the secretary finds that amendments, modifications or changes are necessary to ensure the safety of the dam, the secretary may order the owner to revise his or her plans and specifications. If conditions are revealed which will not permit the placement, construction, enlargement, repair, alteration or removal of the dam in a safe manner, the certificate of approval may be revoked.
Immediately upon completion of a new dam or enlargement, repair or alteration of a dam, the owner shall notify the secretary: Provided, That immediately upon completion of a dam constructed under the supervision of the natural resources conservation service, a certification of completion shall be sent to the director by the natural resources conservation service, and a complete set of design documents "as built" plans, and specifications and safety plan of evacuation shall be provided to the director within ninety days after completion of the dam.