Agricultural News
House Approves Legislation to Improve Water Infrastructure, Planning
Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:28:58 CDT
Four pieces of legislation that would pave the way for better management of water resources in the state were approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
House Speaker Kris Steele said, "As a package, these bills lay a solid water policy foundation that can be built upon for years to come. Planning for future water needs is a huge part of being a pro-growth state and is one of the greatest responsibilities we have today to Oklahomans of tomorrow. We know that with effective water management, Oklahoma can have more than enough water to sustain its growth for decades to come. I'm proud of my colleagues for taking this critical first step on an issue of such high importance to our state."
House Bill 2914 by state Rep. Phil Richardson would set up nine regional planning councils to give local citizens more input into the management of their water resources. The 15-member councils are to be divided up by major surface water basins, major groundwater basins, prominent water service territories, county boundaries and existing water planning areas. State officials would appoint some members of each council and local officials would select the remaining appointees.
"This legislation is based on one of the top recommendations made by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board during our legislative study over the interim - that we set up regional councils to give citizens more input into the process," said Richardson (R-Minco). "Integral to implementation of the recently completed update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan is recognition of local issues and priorities identified by citizens, users and stakeholders. While oversight is still necessary at the state level, the time has come to encourage regional water planning as the new standard that empowers local citizens who are more in touch with their unique needs, challenges and potential solutions."
House Joint Resolution 1085 by Richardson would create a state question to amend the Oklahoma Constitution by creating the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Water Infrastructure Credit Enhancement Reserve Fund. By utilizing this mechanism, the OWRB will have the ability to leverage funding to address much of the increased infrastructure financing demand.
"Without the proper infrastructure, we won't be able to properly manage our water resources to account for population growth and increased water usage," Richardson said. "We must rise to the challenge of providing long-term, affordable funding to construct and maintain water and sewer systems that furnish safe, clean and reliable water supplies for all citizens and communities."
HB 3055, by Steele, sets a statewide goal of using more no more fresh water in 2060 than is used today and forms an advisory council to make recommendations on how to achieve that goal. It passed 83-8.
HB 2385, by Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman, gives homeowners more flexibility to reuse grey water on their property. It passed 91-2.
All the measures now go to the Senate.
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