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Water Resource Management in North Carolina

Water Resource Management in North Carolina. Mitch Peele Sr. Director of Public Policy NC Farm Bureau. September 26, 2008. Presentation Overview. Overview of what is currently required Statements concerning ag water use Summary of Governor’s drought bill

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Water Resource Management in North Carolina

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  1. Water Resource Management in North Carolina Mitch Peele Sr. Director of Public Policy NC Farm Bureau September 26, 2008

  2. Presentation Overview • Overview of what is currently required • Statements concerning ag water use • Summary of Governor’s drought bill • Reporting of agriculture water use • What’s on the horizon

  3. Overview of Water Regulation • Existing laws and regulations • Water use act (1967) • Water use registration (1968) • Water transfers • CCPCUA rule (2001) • HB 1215 (2002) • HB 820 (2007) • Water Conservation Rule (2007 – “drought rule”) • State Water Supply Plan • Countless local ordinances • Governor’s Drought Bill (2008)

  4. Statewide Requirements • Reporting of water use for farmers using 1 mg/d • Updated annually • Permitting required for anyone who transfers 2 mg/d from one river basin to another

  5. CCPCUA Rule • Permitting for GW users of 100,000 g/d • Requires reductions • Reporting of all users of 10,000 g/d • Farmers can report to NCDA&CS • Individual farm data is confidential

  6. Water Allocation Study • Authorized by HB 820, directed by ERC • Initially just IBT’s • All water issues • Expected to include numerous recommendations • More interconnections, more reporting, sharing, reuse, all water is the same, possible revisiting of riparian rights. • Study extended to 2009

  7. Water Conservation Ruleas required in H1215 • Requires farmers using 1 mg/d to develop and implement water conservation plan during drought

  8. 2007/2008 Drought increases public discussion of water users

  9. Statements Concerning Agricultural Water Use • Ag is a big water user • The state has little to no data on ag water use • We should lower the reporting threshold for ag • We should require more frequent reporting • We should require meters • Private wells should be regulated • All water is the same

  10. Governor’s Drought BillInitial Draft • Lower threshold for reporting ag water use • Local governments could regulate water use from private wells • Metering on private wells • Green industry not considered essential use • DENR to develop water efficiency guidelines w/o input from NCSU Prospects for a favorable outcome seemed remote!

  11. Governor’s Drought BillFinal Version • Reporting threshold for ag remained at 1 mg/d • Green industry considered essential • Gray water allowed • No government is authorized to regulate water use from private wells • No meters required for private wells • DENR must consult with NCSU when developing water efficiency guidelines

  12. Reporting Ag Water Use • Bill calls for annual surveys of farms conducted through NASS • Participation is voluntary • Individual farm data is confidential • Participants can use reports as evidence of historic use

  13. Farmers Should Participate in Survey • It will prove our case • It will give the state what they need • It will provide confidential protection • It will build history of water use on your farm

  14. What is on the Horizon • Report/recommendations in Water Allocation Study • Revisiting of water rights • Statewide permitting • Metering • Regulation of private wells • Declare “public policy priorities” • More users will be subject to law suits • Water wars could result if drought continues • Continued demands on water will compound problems

  15. Questions? Thank you!

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