SB1116

THE CONTEXT: Demonstration of Assured Water Supply An applicant for a certificate of assured water supply is required to provide a copy of a hydrological study if groundwater resources are intended to be used as a part of the supply. The hydrological study must demonstrate an assured supply of groundwater exists for the proposed use by the applicant ( A.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would require the Director to provide written notification of receipt to a person who submits an alternative groundwater model, within five days of receiving the alternative model and require the Director to provide written response to the applicant within 60 days of receipt of the alternative model the following: a) whether ADWR accepts the overall findings of the alternative groundwater model; b) whether the director accepts or denies each of the specific findings of the alternative groundwater model; and c) the rationale for the rejection of any of the findings of the alternative groundwater model; d) e) f).

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for groundwater model into an enforceable rule. It would require the Director to provide written notification of receipt to a person who submits an alternative groundwater model, within five days of receiving the alternative model, and would also require the Director to provide written response to the applicant within 60 days of receipt of the alternative model the following: a) whether ADWR accepts the overall findings of the alternative groundwater model; b) whether the director accepts or denies each of the specific findings of the alternative groundwater model; and c) the rationale for the rejection of any of the findings of the alternative groundwater model. d) e) f), rather than leave the current rule unchanged.