SB 0410

SB 410 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

AN ACT establishing a commission to study issues relative to large groundwater withdrawals.

SPONSORS: Sen. McCarley, Dist 6; Sen. Barnes, Dist 17; Sen. Wheeler, Dist 21; Sen. Johnson, Dist 3; Rep. Musler, Straf 6; Rep. DeChane, Straf 6; Rep. Wall, Straf 6; Rep. Rush, Merr 12; Rep. Case, Rock 2

This bill establishes a commission to study issues relative to large water withdrawals.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT establishing a commission to study issues relative to large groundwater withdrawals.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Commission Established. The general court recognizes that the waters of New Hampshire are a precious and invaluable resource upon which there is an ever increasing demand for existing, new and competing uses. The general court further recognizes that an adequate supply of groundwater for domestic, agricultural, industrial, and recreational uses and for fish and wildlife is essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the people of New Hampshire. Therefore there is hereby established a commission to study ways to clarify the hierarchy of water uses while considering existing private property rights, to evaluate a balanced approach to water use among residential, public water supply, industrial, commercial, agricultural, recreational and other water users, and to review the current process by which all such new water users may reasonably and efficiently use state water resources, including consideration of potential regional impacts and local water management issues, in order to best protect and preserve an adequate supply of groundwater for the state.

(b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(c) A representative of public water supplier interests, nominated by the New Hampshire Water Works Association, and appointed by the governor.

(e) A representative of the International Bottled Water Association, appointed by the governor.

(g) A representative of industrial/commercial interests, nominated by the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, and appointed by the governor.

(h) A representative of municipal interests, nominated by the New Hampshire Municipal Association, and appointed by the governor.

(i) A representative of agricultural interests, nominated by the New Hampshire Farm Bureau, and appointed by the governor.

(j) A representative of recreational interests, nominated by the New Hampshire Travel Council, and appointed by the governor.

II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

3 Duties. The commission shall study ways to clarify the hierarchy of water uses, while considering existing private property rights, to evaluate a balanced approach to water use among residential, public water supply, industrial, commercial, agricultural, recreational and other water users, and to review the current process by which all such new water users may reasonably and efficiently use state water resources, including consideration of potential regional impacts and local water management issues, in order to best protect and preserve an adequate supply of groundwater for the state. This study shall include consideration of issues such as potential impacts on New Hampshire's environment, other water users, municipalities, and the state's economy. The commission shall also evaluate whether there is a need for additional regulation to address different uses of water.

4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.

5 Report. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2002.