Section 15-2907. Water resources management strategy; development purpose  


Latest version.
  • Not  later  than  January  first,  nineteen  hundred eighty-seven, the
      department of environmental conservation, with the participation of  the
      department  of  health  and  whenever  possible,  regional  planning and
      development boards, shall develop and submit a complete statewide  water
      resources  management  strategy  to the water resources planning council
      for its review and adoption. This strategy shall be composed of substate
      water  resources  management  strategies  which  recognize  the  natural
      boundaries  of  the  water resource basins, watersheds, and aquifers and
      existing significant deficiencies of water supply,  and  which  organize
      these  in  the  most  practical  and  manageable  manner.  Each substate
      management strategy shall analyze the present  and  future  demographic,
      natural  resource, economic development, water quality, and conservation
      requirements of public and private water systems  and  develop  regional
      management  strategies  to  meet  the  water  resources  requirements of
      residential, agricultural, industrial and commercial users  as  well  as
      assure the highest possible quality and quantity of these resources.
        Strategies shall analyze the efficiency and capacity of existing water
      supply  sources  and  facilities  and  shall contain recommendations for
      appropriate modifications, restoration, and expansion or development  of
      new   sources   or   facilities.  Such  strategies  shall  also  include
      evaluations and recommendations  as  to  the  feasibility  of  including
      hydroelectric energy generation facilities as part of the modifications,
      restoration,  and  expansion or development of new or existing resources
      or facilities. The strategy shall also contain recommendations regarding
      implementation of these strategies by  the  department  of  health,  the
      department   of  environmental  conservation,  other  appropriate  state
      agencies, local governments and  special  districts.  In  addition,  the
      departments  shall  submit  to  the  council  substate  water  resources
      management strategies as soon as  such  strategies  are  developed.  The
      departments   shall   also  report  regularly  to  the  council  on  the
      development of the strategies and receive the council's  recommendations
      and  directions.  Such  substate  strategies shall also be available for
      public inspection as soon as such strategies are developed.