On Wednesday, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out a bill that would address a PSATS resolution and legislative priority by making it easier for municipalities to remove flood hazards, such as gravel bars, from streams.HB 2359 (PN 3507)

would direct the Environmental Quality Board to establish guidelines for the removal of flood-related hazards or related stream clearing activities by adjacent property owners or municipalities where the hazards are located. The guidelines would include prior notification to the state Department of Environmental Protection and would not require permits or professional engineering services. The bill would also provide that when the removal of flood-related hazards is deemed to be an emergency by the municipality, county, or state, that DEP would be notified after the stream clearing activities took place. HB 2359 is now before the House.