Bill > S928

Introduced Session

This bill would authorize municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring the maintenance and repair of wharves, piers, docks and bulkheads along navigable waterways within a municipality, pursuant to standards established by the Department of Environmental Protection. These standards would be developed to minimize potential harm to the public and to the environment, considering the location, surroundings and the use of the wharf, pier, dock or bulkhead. The governing body of each municipality adopting such an ordinance may prescribe penalties for the violation of the ordinance, either a fine not to exceed $500, or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both. For a second or subsequent offense, a municipality may prescribe penalties of either a fine not to exceed $2,000, or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both. Within 18 months after the effective date of the bill, the department would be required to adopt regulations establishing minimum standards for maintenance and repair of wharves, piers, docks and bulkheads along navigable waterways within a municipality. Further, the department would be required to develop technical guidance materials to assist municipalities in: (1) inspecting and evaluating existing wharves, piers, docks and bulkheads along navigable waterways within a municipality; (2) notifying owners in non-compliance with minimum maintenance and repair standards established by local ordinance, to perform required improvements; and (3) verifying and inspecting maintenance repairs necessary to ensure compliance with minimum standards adopted by the municipality. The standards developed by the department and the requirements imposed by municipalities pursuant to this bill would be in addition to those established or prescribed pursuant to any other law, rule or regulation pertaining to wharves, piers, docks and bulkheads.

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Christopher Connors (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 02/04/2016)