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!