HB1546--WATEREXPORTATIONACROSSSTATEBOUNDARIES
SPONSOR: Burton
Thisbillspecifiesthatitisunlawfulforanypersontowithdraw
fromanywatersourceforexportoutsidethestateofMissouri
unlessheorsheholdsawaterexportpermitissuedbythe
DepartmentofNaturalResources. However,awaterexportpermitis
notnecessaryforanywithdrawalwherethewithdrawalandenduse
areinthesamesixdigithydrologicalunitcodeorwithin30miles
ofthestateborder.
Beforeissuingapermitforwaterexportation,theDirectormust
determineifcertainconditionsspecifiedinthebillaremetand
holda30daypubliccommentperiod.IftheDepartmentapproves
theapplication,itmustsenditsfindingstotheCleanWater
CommissionandtheMissouriSoilandWaterDistrictsCommissionfor
review.TheCommissions,attheirnextmeeting,mustindicate
agreementwiththeDepartment'srecommendation. Apermitisissued
foraperiodofuptothreeyears.
Applicationsforrenewalofwaterexportationpermitmustbefiled
180daysbeforetheexpirationdateofapermit.TheDirectormust
reviewthewatersupplyneedsandconsiderations specifiedinthe
bill,andmayrecommendadditionalconditionstoaddressany
substantialormaterialchangeinthepermit.Ifthereisa
conflictbetweenconditionsofuserequiredinMissouriandin
anotherstate,thewaterpermitholdermustconsenttothe
conditionsimposedbytheDirector.
Apersonisnotprecludedfrombringinganyclaimtodefendthe
person'swaterrights.Apermitwillnotserveasadefensetoany
claimbroughtagainstawaterpermitholderfortheinfringementof
waterrights.
IftheAttorneyGeneralreceivesacomplaintallegingaviolation
oftheprovisionsofthebill,theAttorneyGeneralmaybringa
civilactionforinjunctivereliefinanycountywheredefendant’s
principalplaceofbusinessislocatedorwheretheviolation
occurred.
Wheneverapersonappliesforapermit,theDepartmentmustsenda
writtennoticetotheCountyCommissionerofthecountywherethe
waterforexportationislocated.
WhenevertheUnitedStatesDroughtMonitor(USDM)indicatesaD2
leveldroughtforanycountyforwhichanexportpermithasbeen
issued,orwhenevertheGovernordeclaresastateofemergency
becauseofdroughtconditions,theDepartmentmustreevaluateall
existingwaterexportationpermits. ThisbillisthesameasSCSHB2153(2024).