Overview
Title
To provide for the ongoing presence of certain structures at the Table Rock Lake project.
ELI5 AI
The bill is about letting certain sewer and septic systems near Table Rock Lake stay there as long as they are safe and have permission. If they aren't taken care of or need replacing, they can be removed.
Summary AI
S. 4658 is a bill introduced in the United States Senate to support the ongoing existence of specific structures at the Table Rock Lake project in Missouri and Arkansas. It defines eligible structures as privately owned sewer and septic systems that have been granted a right-of-way license, are on specified types of land, and do not endanger the lake's reservoir level or dam. The bill requires the Secretary of the Army to allow these structures to remain until they are either abandoned, fail, or are replaced.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill titled "S. 4658," introduced in the United States Senate on July 10, 2024, addresses the continuation of certain structures within the Table Rock Lake project area in Missouri and Arkansas. Specifically, it deals with privately owned sewer and septic systems that currently have a license for a right-of-way granted by the Secretary of the Army. The bill outlines specific conditions under which these systems can continue to exist, such as not being abandoned, failing, or being replaced.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several significant issues arise from this bill:
Definition of Eligible Structure: The bill defines "eligible structures" narrowly, focusing on those that hold a right-of-way license. This potentially favors currently licensed property owners over others who might not have such privileges.
Lack of Criteria for Failure: The bill lacks clear criteria or standards for determining when a structure is considered to have "failed." This absence might lead to inconsistent enforcement and ambiguity for those responsible for assessments.
Absence of Oversight on Abandonment: There is no described mechanism for overseeing or ensuring fair and consistent assessment of whether a structure has been "abandoned." The term's definition, centered on "demonstrated intent to repair," could be subjective and lead to differing interpretations.
Environmental Considerations: The bill does not address environmental impact assessments or the possible environmental consequences of allowing these structures to remain near Table Rock Lake, a multipurpose reservoir.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, particularly those living near or using Table Rock Lake, this bill could impact the environmental quality and safety standards of the region. While the bill allows the continuation of essential sewer and septic systems, it might inadvertently lead to differential treatment of property owners depending on their licensing status. Moreover, any ambiguity in enforcement standards could lead to uncertainty or disputes between property owners and governing bodies.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Property Owners: Those who currently have the right-of-way licenses for their sewer and septic systems stand to benefit, as the bill legitimizes the continued presence of their structures unless specific situations arise. However, owners without such licenses might find themselves at a disadvantage, potentially facing difficulties in gaining similar approvals.
Environmental Advocates: Without provisions for environmental impact assessments, those focused on environmental protection might see this as a gap in legislation, leading to concerns over unchecked environmental degradation due to continued structural presence.
Government and Enforcement Agencies: The ambiguity in the definitions of "abandonment" and "failure" may impose challenges on government bodies responsible for regulation and enforcement, potentially leading to uneven administration across different areas and cases.
Overall, while the bill sets forth a clear framework for certain existing structures at Table Rock Lake, its implementation might reveal practical challenges and inequities that need addressing for the fair treatment of all stakeholders.
Issues
The definition of 'eligible structure' in Section 1(a)(2) is narrowly tailored to include only those sewer and septic systems with a right-of-way license, which might unfairly favor certain property owners who already possess such licenses over others who do not.
Section 1 does not provide any guidelines or criteria for determining the 'failure' of an eligible structure, which could lead to inconsistent enforcement and unclear responsibilities for enforcement agencies.
The absence of oversight or accountability measures in Section 1(b) regarding the determination of 'abandonment' could result in inconsistencies in how abandonment is assessed and enforced.
The definition of 'abandonment' in Section 1(a)(1) is vague in terms of what constitutes 'demonstrated intent to repair,' potentially leading to subjective interpretation and enforcement challenges.
There are no provisions in Section 1 for conducting environmental impact assessments or considering environmental consequences, which could be of concern given the ongoing presence of structures around a multipurpose reservoir project.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Table Rock Lake, Missouri and Arkansas Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines rules regarding certain privately owned sewer and septic systems near Table Rock Lake in Missouri and Arkansas, defining key terms such as "abandonment" and "eligible structure," and explaining that these systems can remain unless abandoned, fail, or are replaced.