Environment Committee
Planning and Development Committee
AN ACT CREATING A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF AN INLAND WETLANDS PERMIT FOR A DRY HYDRANT
SUMMARY: By law, the Department of Environmental Protection and municipal inland wetlands agencies regulate certain activities that take place in wetlands and watercourses.
This act allows water to be withdrawn for fire emergency purposes from a wetland or watercourse without obtaining an inland wetlands permit. It also allows a municipal fire department to install a dry hydrant in an inland wetland or watercourse if (1) the dry hydrant will be used for firefighting purposes only; (2) there is no available alternative access to a public water supply; and (3) the installation will not disturb the natural or indigenous character of the wetland or watercourse by removing or depositing material, altering or obstructing water flow, or polluting.
Under the act, a dry hydrant is a non-pressurized pipe system that (1) is readily accessible to fire department apparatus from a nearby public road; (2) provides for water withdrawal by suction to the apparatus; and (3) is permanently installed into an existing lake, pond, or stream that is a dependable water source.
The act also makes minor technical changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2011
OLR Tracking: KLM: KM: PF: ts