2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 37-B: DEFENSE, VETERANS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT › Chapter 24: DAM SAFETY › 37-B §1111. Definitions

§1111. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   [PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
1.  Dam.
"Dam" means any artificial barrier, including appurtenant works, the site on which it is located and appurtenant rights of flowage and access, that impounds or diverts water, and that:
A. Is 25 feet or more in height from the natural bed of the watercourse measured at the downstream toe of the barrier or from the lowest elevation of the outside limit of the barrier to the maximum water storage elevation and impounds at least 15 acre-feet of water; or   [PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
B. Is 6 feet or more in height from the natural bed of the watercourse measured at the downstream toe of the barrier or from the lowest elevation of the outside limit of the barrier to the maximum water storage elevation and has an impounding capacity at maximum water storage elevation of 50 acre-feet or more.   [PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
[PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
2.  Commissioner.
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.
[PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
3.  Emergency.
"Emergency" means breaches and all conditions leading to or causing a breach, overtopping or any other condition in a dam and its appurtenant structures that may be construed as unsafe or threatening to life and property.
[PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
4.  Emergency situation.
"Emergency situation" means a situation determined by the commissioner, after consultation with other state and federal agencies if time permits, to present a potential but real and impending danger to life, limb or property because of flooding or potential and imminent flooding and includes a situation that the Governor declares to be an emergency pursuant to section 742.
[PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
5.  Emergency action plan.
"Emergency action plan" means a set of written instructions or guidelines for use by public officials that recommends actions that, when implemented, will minimize the effects of a dam failure on people and property.
[PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
6.  Hazard potential.
"Hazard potential" means the possible adverse incremental consequences that result from the release of water or stored contents due to failure of the dam or misoperation of the dam or appurtenances. The hazard potential classification of a dam does not reflect in any way on the current condition of the dam and its appurtenant structures. The classifications are as follows:
A. High hazard potential dam. "High hazard potential dam" means a dam assigned the high hazard potential classification where failure or misoperation will probably cause loss of human life;   [PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
B. Low hazard potential dam. "Low hazard potential dam" means a dam assigned the low hazard potential classification where failure or misoperation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property; and   [PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
C. Significant hazard potential dam. "Significant hazard potential dam" means a dam assigned the significant hazard potential classification where failure or misoperation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause major economic loss, environmental damage or disruption of lifeline facilities or affect other concerns. Significant hazard potential dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be located in areas with population and significant infrastructure.   [PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
[PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
7.  Necessary remedial measure.
"Necessary remedial measure" means any repair or hazard-reducing measure relating to a structural component or operation of a dam needed to mitigate a specific condition at the dam that constitutes a threat to public safety.
[PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
8.  Person.
"Person" means any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, trust, municipality, quasi-municipal corporation, state department, federal department or other legal entity.
[PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
9.  Public safety.
"Public safety" or "safety of the public" means protection of life, health or property from any condition, event or action at a dam that might compromise the safety, stability or integrity of the dam or its ability to function safely.
[PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
10.  State dam inspector.
"State dam inspector" means an inspector appointed or hired under section 1117.
[PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2001, c. 460, §3 (NEW).