Water Supply Planning Initiative State Water Commission November 22, 2004

Water Supply Planning InitiativeWater Supply Planning InitiativeWater Supply Planning InitiativeWater Supply Planning Initiative

State Water Commission

November 22, 2004


Background

SB1221- enacted by the General Assembly in 2003 - required DEQ to develop criteria for local and regional planning and a preliminary state water resources plan.

WP-TAC completed the draft regulation in September 2004.


Issues Discussed by the WP-TAC

Roles of state and local government and water authorities Inter-basin transfer Incentives for regional approaches and alternative sources Funding and technical assistance needs Need for data for planning and analysis Cumulative impacts to beneficial uses Clarity of demand projections Opportunities to improve permit process State “advocacy” of local projects


Summary of Draft Regulation

All counties, cities and towns will submit a plan to the board, individually or as part of a region.

Local governments and community water systems will coordinate and cooperate with each other in the development of the plan.

The regulation does not change existing water rights.


Summary of Draft Regulation (cont.)

The regulation establishes a planning process and criteria that local governments will use in the development of the local and regional plans.

Local governments are required to submit their plan to the board within 3 to 6 years according to a staggered schedule based on population.

Regional groups have 6 years to submit a plan.



Required elements include:– A description of existing water sources;– A description of existing water use;– A description of existing water resource conditions;– An assessment of projected water demand;– A description of water management actions;– A statement of future demand;

– An analysis that identifies potential alternatives to address projected deficits in supplies;



Required elements include (cont):– A map or maps identifying important elements of the

plan;

– A copy of the adopted documents, e.g. plans, ordinances, etc.;

– A resolution approving the plan from each local government that is party to the plan; and

– A record of the local public hearing, a copy of all written comments and the submitter's response to all written comments received.



To assist local governments in the development of local programs, the DEQ will:

– Provide technical and financial assistance;– Provide guidance on compliance options;– Facilitate acquisition of existing resource conditions

and post on our website;– Facilitate acquisition of existing use information that

has been reported and post on its website;– Facilitate acquisition of water management information

and post on our website;



DEQ assistance (cont.):– Identify acceptable methods for the projection of

future water demands;– Provide any information regarding known conflicts

relating to the development of alternatives;– At the request of the applicant, convene a Technical

Evaluation Committee meeting; and– Provide internet postings of local public hearing(s).


DEQ will review all local and regional plans to determine compliance with this regulation and consistency with the State Water Resources Plan.

Localities to review their plans every five years to assess adequacy.

Significant changes require board review.



DEQ will give public notice on our website for every tentative and final decision to determine local program compliance.

Commenters may request a public meeting.


State Benefits of Water Supply Planning

– Greater understanding of water resources and water demands;

– Increased information for use in evaluating water supply projects;

– Increased public involvement in resource management decisions;

– Earlier opportunity to identify and address conflicts among users; and

– Improved responsiveness and preparation for drought.


Local Benefits of Water Supply Planning

– Improved information on resource issues that impact long-term plans and projects;

– Promotes focus on most viable water supply alternative;

– Improved coordination and preparation for permitting and regulatory processes;

– Economic development tool (i.e., documented plans for meeting water supply needs).


WP-TAC recommendations on what the state needs to provide for effective water supply planning:

Technical and financial assistance to localities to complete water supply planning analysis.

Additional data and information on the status and availability of ground water.

Additional information and analysis on the availability of surface waters and in-stream flow requirements.


Next Steps for Draft Regulation

The anticipated next steps for this regulation include:

– Presentation as a draft regulation to the State Water Control Board on December 2, 2004;

– Public comment period during Spring 2005;– Final regulation to State Water Control Board in June

2005; and– Regulation enacted by December 2005.


Next Steps for Draft Regulation (cont.)

DEQ plans to submit a budget request for:– An additional $650,000 in FY 2006 for local and

regional technical assistance grants (continued financial assistance will be needed each year thereafter for local and regional grants); and

– An additional $350,000 in FY 2006 for development of ground water data for use in local and regional planning efforts.


VWP Permit Regulation

The WP-TAC identified the potential need to address a number of permit issues, including:

– The need for implementing a formal Pre-Application Scoping Process for water supply projects;

– The need to clarify the requirement for Cumulative Impact Assessment for water supply projects;

– The need to clarify requirements for Alternatives Analysis for water supply projects; and

– The need to investigate ways to streamline the permit process for water supply projects.


VWP Permit Regulation (cont.)

The anticipated schedule for this process is:– Issue NOIRA in November 2004;– Establish work group by January 2005;– Begin work group meetings in February 2005; and– Present the SWCB with a draft of any changes by October

2005.– Public comment period during Spring 2006;– Final regulation to State Water Control Board in June

2006; and– Regulation enacted by December 2006.



Robert G. BurnleyDepartment of Environmental

Quality(804) 698-4020

State Water Resources PlanState Water Resources PlanState Water Resources PlanState Water Resources Plan

State Water Commission

November 22, 2004


Anticipated Structure of the Plan

Organized in 3 parts:– Part 1 – Policy, guidance and data for

planning;– Part 2 – Basin summaries of submitted water

plans;– Part 3 – An annual status report.


Summary of Part 1

Basic planning information and data such as historic use, climate, geology, etc.

Guidance on how to comply with the planning regulation, including suggested “best practices”.

Statement of water planning policy and principles.


Summary of Part 2

Compilation of existing information on water resources.

Compilation of local and regional water plans. Organized by locality and river basin.


Summary of Part 3

Discussion of current water issues such as drought, etc.

Information on current status of data collection efforts and plan adoption.

Recommendations including strategies to address program needs or some current water issue.

Anticipate annual updates.

Benefits of a State Plan

– Improved understanding of water resources and water demands;

– Earlier opportunity to identify and address resource conflicts and conflicts among users;

– Can be an economic development tool (i.e., state documented plans for meeting water supply needs).

– Inclusion of local and regional plans is recognition by the state of local water needs.



Scott KudlasDepartment of Environmental

Quality(804) 698-4456

Documents

Water Supply Planning Initiative State Water Commission November 22, 2004