CHAPTER 176
HB 1353 – FINAL VERSION
05Mar2008… 0566h
2008 SESSION
06/03
HOUSE BILL 1353
AN ACT extending the commission to study issues relative to groundwater withdrawal.
SPONSORS: Rep. Kurk, Hills 7; Rep. Harvey, Hills 21; Rep. Buco, Carr 1; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
This bill:
I. Expands the duties of the commission to study issues relative to groundwater withdrawals.
II. Extends the commission until 2010.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
05Mar2008… 0566h
08-2034
06/03
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight
AN ACT extending the commission to study issues relative to groundwater withdrawal.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
176:1 Commission to Study Issues Relative to Groundwater Withdrawals; Duties Expanded. Amend 2003, 305:3 to read as follows:
305:3 Duties. The commission shall study ways to bring a balanced approach to water use among residential, public water supply, industrial, commercial, agricultural, energy, recreational, and other water users, and to improve the current process by which 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 water for the state with particular attention to groundwater. This study shall include consideration of issues such as potential impacts on New Hampshire’s environment, property rights as they relate to groundwater, possible fees on water withdrawals, and the protection of New Hampshire’s aquifers. The commission shall also study criteria, including public benefit, for the granting of large water withdrawals other than those of RSA 485-C and RSA 485-A. Consideration of this issue shall include appropriate roles for municipalities in the permitting and regulation of large groundwater withdrawals and include input from municipalities and other appropriate entities. The committee shall design an appropriate statewide monitoring plan to ensure long term sustainability of groundwater resources and participation in the development and distribution of public educational materials on the municipal role in large groundwater permitting, including local and state regulations. The commission may address other issues related to water.
176:2 Commission to Study Issues Relative to Groundwater Withdrawals; Reporting Date Extended. Amend 2003, 305:5 as amended by 2005, 287:1 to read as follows:
305:5 Report. The commission shall make an interim report of 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, 2003. The commission shall make additional interim reports of 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 30 of each year, with the final report on the role of municipalities and on the criteria for large withdrawals due on or before November 30, 2009 and the balance of the final report due on or before November 30, [2008] 2010. The senate energy, environment, and [wildlife] economic development committee and the house resources, recreation and development committee shall have oversight responsibility for the progress of the commission and shall receive copies of all interim reports.
176:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: June 11, 2008
Effective Date: August 10, 2008