water resource management in north carolina

Water Resource Management in North Carolina

September 26, 2008

Mitch PeeleSr. Director ofPublic PolicyNC Farm Bureau

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

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)

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

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

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

Water Conservation Ruleas required in H1215

Requires farmers using 1 mg/d to develop and implement water conservation plan during drought

2007/2008 Drought increases public discussion of water users

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

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!

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

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

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

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

Questions?

Thank you!