To require the Department of Environmental Protection to assume responsibility of cost and permitting of dams that are deemed to be under state control

HB 2179 requires West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to cover all costs for engineering certification and permitting of privately owned deficient dams when the owner fails to comply with safety regulations. This applies specifically to dams deemed "deficient" by the DEP and owned by noncompliant dam owners, shifting upfront certification and permitting expenses from the owner to the DEP using the Dam Safety Rehabilitation Revolving Fund. The DEP must first handle these costs before pursuing reimbursement from the owner through civil action, with recovered funds returned to the fund. The bill focuses on clarifying cost responsibility for dam safety without altering ownership or creating new regulatory requirements.