Recommend oppose. Adversely impacts senior water right holders, water quality, and public health.
The bill will set the existing DNRC Rule into statute, allowing subdivisions to have individual wells rather than a combined system. Exempting subdivisions from a combined system also exempts them from a water right permit and mitigation in closed basins. The Rule has been called into question in recent years by those who believe that allowing individual wells without review, permit, or mitigation is a poor long term practice that needs to be evaluated and addressed now, rather than made into law. Through a petition process last year (which MC Commissioners supported) and a lawsuit settlement, DNRC was required by the courts to revise the exempt well Rule. DNRC is in that process now, taking public comment and considering impacts of a variety of revisions to the Rule. HB 433 would end this revision process and put the DNRC exempt well rule into statute.
Missoula County opposes House Bill 433. HB 433 allows subdivisions to have individual wells rather than a combined system. Exempting subdivisions from a combined system exempts them from a water right permit and mitigation in closed basins. Allowing individual wells without review, permit, or mitigation is a poor long term practice that needs to be evaluated and addressed now, rather than made into law. Please oppose HB 433. Respectfully, Dale Bickell on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners
RI's position on this bill:
ReplyDeleteRecommend oppose. Adversely impacts senior water right holders, water quality, and public health.
The bill will set the existing DNRC Rule into statute, allowing subdivisions to have individual wells rather than a combined system. Exempting subdivisions from a combined system also exempts them from a water right permit and mitigation in closed basins. The Rule has been called into question in recent years by those who believe that allowing individual wells without review, permit, or mitigation is a poor long term practice that needs to be evaluated and addressed now, rather than made into law. Through a petition process last year (which MC Commissioners supported) and a lawsuit settlement, DNRC was required by the courts to revise the exempt well Rule. DNRC is in that process now, taking public comment and considering impacts of a variety of revisions to the Rule. HB 433 would end this revision process and put the DNRC exempt well rule into statute.
Sent the following message to Missoula Reps:
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes House Bill 433. HB 433 allows subdivisions to have individual wells rather than a combined system. Exempting subdivisions from a combined system exempts them from a water right permit and mitigation in closed basins. Allowing individual wells without review, permit, or mitigation is a poor long term practice that needs to be evaluated and addressed now, rather than made into law. Please oppose HB 433.
Respectfully,
Dale Bickell on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners