Certification Requirements

Certification Requirements By Zhengang (Michael) Wang, Ph.D., P.E., CFM Regional Dam Safety Engineer (Region 1) 98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 33Warrenton, VA 20186 Office Phone: (540) 351-1587Email: zhengang.wang@dcr.virginia.gov September 4, 2012

Types of Certificate • Regular Operation and Maintenance Certificate (6 years) • Conditional Operation and Maintenance Certificate (up to 2 years) • Agricultural Exemption • Mining Exemption • Federal Owned or Licensed • General Permit for Low Hazard Potential Impounding Structures (pending, not introduced here)

Which Dams are Subject to the Law? All dams in Virginia are subject to the Dam Safety Act and Dam Safety Regulations unless specifically excluded. A dam is excluded if it: • is size exemption • has a maximum capacity less than 50 acre-feet and is less than 25 feet in height; • has a maximum capacity of less than 15 acre-feet and is more than 25 feet in height; • is agricultural exemption • is used primarily for agricultural purposes and has a maximum capacity of less than 100 acre-feet or is less than 25 feet in height ( if the use or ownership changes, the dam may be subject to regulation); • is operated for mining purposes under 45.1-222 or 45.1-225.1 of the Code of Virginia; • is owned or licensed by the federal government; • is an obstruction in a canal used to raise or lower water levels;

Size Exemption

Regular Certificates Issued for 6-years. Owner should submit the followings: • O&M Application for VA Regulated Impounding Structures (DCR199-099) • Dam Break Study and Inundation Maps – four scenarios (sunny day with a failure, SDF with and without a failure, and PMF with a failure) • Hazard Classification Report – Can use USBR’s ACER 11 • Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for High or Significant Hazard • Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) for Low Hazard (DCR199-103) • DCR Certificate and Permit Application Fee Form with fee (DCR199-192) • Annual Inspection Report for VA Impounding Structures (DCR199-098) • Completed by a PE • Signed by the owner for certification

Regular Certificates-Cont’d • Forms can be found at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam_safety_and_floodplains/index.shtml • Certificates are issued monthly • We must have completed and approved submittal packages by the 15th of each month

Conditional Certificates Issued for 1 or 2-years. Owner should submit the followings: • O&M Application for VA Regulated Impounding Structures (DCR199-099) • DCR Certificate and Permit Application Fee Form with fee (DCR199-192) • Annual Inspection Report for VA Impounding Structures (DCR199-098) • Completed by a PE • Signed by the owner for certification

Conditional Certificates-Cont’d Issued if dam does not meet the requirements for a regular certificate. Examples are: • Large trees or woody growth on dam (on crest, on downstream or upstream slopes), or within 25’ • Dam break inundation study and inundation mapping are not complete, such as missing one or more required scenarios, wrong method to calculate breach parameters, etc. • Inadequate Spillway Capacity – owner can plan to increase spillway capacity, or have engineer to perform acceptable incremental damage study (IDA), or go through 4VAC50-20-53. Special criteria for reduced SDF requirement for certain high hazard dams • Other structural deficiencies – such as serious seepage that jeopardizes the safety of dam

Extensions • Owner may request extension to current Conditional Certificate for 2-4 months, issued on a very limited basis • Extension is only issued if minor item(s) remain for a Regular Certificate • Example-Inundation Mapping/Hazard Class Report Complete, no trees on dam, adequate spillway. Only outstanding item is waiting on signatures for EAP. • Submit the following: • Written request from owner to include • Reason for extension request, must justify extension. • Timeline to completion of outstanding items listed on conditional certificate • DCR Certificate and Permit Application Fee Form with fee (DCR199-192) • Annual Inspection Report for VA Impounding Structures (DCR199-098)

Fees • Regular 6-year Certificates • $600 for High or Significant Hazard • $300 for Low Hazard • Conditional Certificates • $150 for 1-yr, all Hazard Classes • $300 for 2-yrs, all Hazard Classes • Conditional Certificate Extensions • $250 per year, all Hazard Classes

Frequency of Inspections • High Hazard • PE inspection every two years • Owner inspection every other year • Significant Hazard • PE inspection every three years • Owner inspection every other year • Low Hazard • PE inspection every six years • Owner inspection every other year • PE inspection must be provided the year of certification and must be signed by the owner

Transfer of Ownership • Owner on file to fill out Transfer of Impounding Structure Notification from Past Owner to New Owner (DCR199-107) – the form should be signed by both old owner and new owner • Dam ownership related documents sent to Regional Dam Safety Engineer • Transfers current certificate • Transfer ownership first • The New owner may select to continue the existing operation and maintenance certificate for the remaining term or he may apply for a new certificate in accordance with 4VAC50-20-105 • Accurate record keeping!

Comments or questions? Thank you!

Certification Requirements