To give the Department of Environmental Quality the duty to determine that a commercial or industrial groundwater withdrawal does not “impair the waters of the state,” and with the other bills in this package, give the department broad regulatory authority to impose new regulations on commercial and industrial groundwater users, and broad discretion in how and when to exercise that authority over commercial and industrial groundwater users. The bill would also authorize “interested parties” and county prosecutors to sue businesses when they believe a violation has occurred, and civil fines of $5,000 per day for a person who knowingly violates certain water withdrawal regulations. The bill is part of a legislative package consisting of Senate Bills 721 to 729 and House Bills 5065 to 5073 that would restrict and subject to extensive regulation the use of groundwater by industrial and commercial businesses.   Official Text and Analysis.

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that would establish a government "Water Resources Conservation Advisory Council" to make recommendations on what (additonal) regulations and enforcement provisions to adopt to comply the reuirements of the "Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact".

To establish a government "Water Resources Conservation Advisory Council" that would replace a similar council and make recommendations on what (additonal) regulations and enforcement provisions to adopt to comply the requirements of the "Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact" (see Senate Bill 212), including how to refine an computer program "assessment tool" for estimating the effect of particular water withdrawals on streams, lakes and water tables.

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1)* be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details and divides the bill's provisions between this and House Bill 5073.

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.