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H.B. 33

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 12:37 PM by jeyring. -->              1     

GROUNDWATER RECHARGE AND RECOVERY

             2     
ACT AMENDMENTS

             3     
2010 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Michael E. Noel

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      Committee Note:
             10          The Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee
             11      recommended this bill.
             12          The State Water Development Commission recommended this bill.
             13              Membership:    10 legislators    14 non-legislators
             14              Legislative Vote:    8 voting for    0 voting against    2 absent
             15      General Description:
             16          This bill amends the Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Act.
             17      Highlighted Provisions:
             18          This bill:
             19          .    defines terms;
             20          .    requires the state engineer to give 60 day's notice to a recharge or recovery
             21      permittee of the date to submit proof of completion;
             22          .    requires proof of completion of a recharge or recovery project;
             23          .    requires, if certain requirements are met, the state engineer to issue a certificate for a
             24      recharge or recovery project;
             25          .    authorizes the state engineer to waive certain filings;
             26          .    requires the permittee to file the certificate with the county recorder;
             27          .    establishes that a certificate is prima facie evidence of the right to the water as


             28      specified in the certificate; and
             29          .     makes technical changes.
             30      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             31          None
             32      Other Special Clauses:
             33          None
             34      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             35      AMENDS:
             36          73-3b-102, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1991, Chapter 146
             37          73-3b-103, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1991, Chapter 146
             38          73-3b-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
             39          73-3b-106, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1991, Chapter 146
             40          73-3b-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 183
             41          73-3b-202, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1991, Chapter 146
             42          73-3b-203, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1991, Chapter 146
             43          73-3b-204, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 183
             44          73-3b-205, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1991, Chapter 146
             45          73-3b-206, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 136
             46          73-3b-208, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 282
             47     
             48      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             49          Section 1. Section 73-3b-102 is amended to read:
             50           73-3b-102. Definitions.
             51          As used in this chapter:
             52          (1) "Artificially recharge" means to place water [underground] in an aquifer:
             53          (a) by means of:
             54          (i) injection[,];
             55          (ii) surface infiltration[,]; or
             56          (iii) [other] another method; and
             57          (b) for the purposes of:
             58          (i) storing the water; and


             59          (ii) recovering the water.
             60          (2) "Division" means Division of Water Rights.
             61          (3) "Recharge permit" means a permit issued by the state engineer to [inject water into
             62      an underground aquifer for the purpose of storing the water.] construct and operate a recharge
             63      project.
             64          (4) "Recharge project" means to artificially recharge water into an aquifer.
             65          [(4)] (5) "Recovery permit" means a permit issued by the state engineer to [withdraw
             66      from an underground aquifer water that has been injected and stored in the aquifer pursuant to
             67      a recharge permit.] construct and operate a recovery project.
             68          (6) "Recovery project" means to withdraw from an aquifer water that has been
             69      artificially recharged pursuant to a recharge permit.
             70          Section 2. Section 73-3b-103 is amended to read:
             71           73-3b-103. Prohibitions.
             72          (1) A person may not artificially recharge [a groundwater] an aquifer without first
             73      obtaining a recharge permit.
             74          (2) A person may not recover from [a groundwater] an aquifer water that has been
             75      artificially recharged unless [he] the person first obtains a recovery permit.
             76          (3) A person holding a recharge permit or recovery permit may not operate a
             77      [groundwater] recharge project or recovery project in a manner that is inconsistent with the
             78      permit conditions set by the state engineer.
             79          Section 3. Section 73-3b-105 is amended to read:
             80           73-3b-105. Administrative procedures.
             81          The administrative procedures applicable to the issuance, modification, suspension, or
             82      revocation of a recharge [and] permit or recovery [permits] permit are those set forth in Title
             83      63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act, and Sections 73-3-6 , 73-3-7 , 73-3-14 , and
             84      73-3-15 .
             85          Section 4. Section 73-3b-106 is amended to read:
             86           73-3b-106. Water right for recharged water -- Change of use of recovered water.
             87          (1) A person proposing to artificially recharge water into an [underground] aquifer
             88      must have:
             89          (a) a valid water right for the water proposed to be recharged; or


             90          (b) an agreement to use the water proposed to be recharged with a person who has a
             91      valid water right for the water proposed to be recharged.
             92          (2) A person who holds a recovery permit may use or exchange recovered water only in
             93      the manner in which the water was permitted to be used or exchanged before the water was
             94      [stored underground] artificially recharged, unless a change or exchange application is filed and
             95      approved pursuant to Section 73-3-3 or 73-3-20 , as applicable.
             96          Section 5. Section 73-3b-201 is amended to read:
             97           73-3b-201. Application for a recharge permit -- Required information -- Filing
             98      fee.
             99          (1) The application for obtaining a [groundwater] recharge permit shall include the
             100      following information:
             101          (a) the name and mailing address of the applicant;
             102          (b) the name of the groundwater basin or groundwater sub-basin in which the applicant
             103      proposes to operate the recharge project;
             104          (c) the name and mailing address of the owner of the land on which the applicant
             105      proposes to operate the recharge project;
             106          (d) a legal description of the location of the proposed recharge project;
             107          (e) the source and annual quantity of water proposed to be [stored underground]
             108      artificially recharged;
             109          (f) evidence of a water right or an agreement to use the water proposed to be [stored
             110      underground] artificially recharged;
             111          (g) the quality of the water proposed to be [stored underground] artificially recharged
             112      and the water quality of the receiving [groundwater] aquifer;
             113          (h) evidence that the applicant has applied for all applicable water quality permits;
             114          (i) a plan of operation for the proposed recharge [and recovery] project, which shall
             115      include:
             116          (i) a description of the proposed recharge project;
             117          (ii) its design capacity;
             118          (iii) a detailed monitoring program; and
             119          (iv) the proposed duration of the recharge project;
             120          (j) a copy of a study demonstrating:


             121          (i) the area of hydrologic impact of the recharge project;
             122          (ii) that the recharge project is hydrologically feasible;
             123          (iii) that the recharge project will not:
             124          (A) cause unreasonable harm to land; or
             125          (B) impair any existing water right within the area of hydrologic impact; and
             126          (iv) the percentage of anticipated recoverable water;
             127          (k) evidence of financial and technical capability; and
             128          (l) any other information that the state engineer requires.
             129          (2) (a) A filing fee must be submitted with the application.
             130          (b) The state engineer shall establish the filing fee in accordance with Section
             131      63J-1-504 .
             132          Section 6. Section 73-3b-202 is amended to read:
             133           73-3b-202. Issuance of recharge permit -- Criteria -- Conditions.
             134          The state engineer:
             135          (1) shall issue a [groundwater] recharge permit if:
             136          (a) the applicant has:
             137          (i) the technical and financial capability to construct and operate the recharge project;
             138      and
             139          (ii) (A) a valid water right for the use of the water proposed to be [stored underground]
             140      artificially recharged; or
             141          (B) an agreement to use the water proposed to be [stored underground] artificially
             142      recharged with a person who has a valid water right for the use of the water proposed to be
             143      artificially recharged; and
             144          (b) the project:
             145          (i) is hydrologically feasible;
             146          (ii) will not cause unreasonable harm to land;
             147          (iii) will not impair any existing water right within the area of hydrologic impact; and
             148          (iv) will not adversely affect the water quality of the aquifer;
             149          (2) shall condition any approval on acquiring the applicable water quality permits prior
             150      to construction and operation of the recharge project; and
             151          (3) may attach to the permit any [conditions he determines are] condition the state


             152      engineer determines is appropriate.
             153          Section 7. Section 73-3b-203 is amended to read:
             154           73-3b-203. Proof of completion, certification, or lapse of recharge permit.
             155          (1) Sixty days before the date on which the recharge permit will lapse under Subsection
             156      (3), the state engineer shall notify the applicant by mail when proof of completion is due.
             157          (2) (a) Before the date on which the recharge permit will lapse under Subsection (3),
             158      the applicant shall file proof of completion with the state engineer on a form furnished by the
             159      state engineer, which shall include:
             160          (i) the location and description of the recharge works constructed;
             161          (ii) the water source for the water artificially recharged and where the water is
             162      delivered for artificial recharge;
             163          (iii) the quantity of water, in acre-feet, the flow in second-feet, or both, diverted from
             164      the water source described in Subsection (2)(a)(ii);
             165          (iv) the method of artificially recharging the water; and
             166          (v) any other information the state engineer requires.
             167          (b) The state engineer may waive the filing of a map, a profile, or drawing if in the
             168      state engineer's opinion the written proof of completion adequately describes the construction
             169      and the nature and extent of the recharge project.
             170          (c) The completed proof shall conform to a rule established by the state engineer.
             171          (3) A [groundwater] recharge permit will lapse if the [recharge project is not
             172      completed] proof of completion of the recharge project's construction is not submitted to the
             173      state engineer within five years from the date of the permit application's approval, unless:
             174          (a) the applicant requests an extension of time to complete the [project] recharge
             175      project's construction; and
             176          (b) the state engineer approves the [request] extension of time.
             177          (4) (a) The state engineer shall issue a recharge certificate if the recharge permittee has
             178      demonstrated to the state engineer's satisfaction that:
             179          (i) a recharge project is perfected in accordance with the recharge permit; and
             180          (ii) the water is being artificially recharged.
             181          (b) The recharge certificate shall include:
             182          (i) the name and post office address of the recharge permittee;


             183          (ii) the maximum quantity of water, in acre-feet or the flow in second-feet, that may be
             184      recharged;
             185          (iii) the name of the water source from which the water to be artificially recharged is
             186      diverted; and
             187          (iv) other information that defines the extent and conditions of the recharge permit.
             188          (c) A recharge certificate issued for a recharge permit need show no more than the facts
             189      shown in the proof of completion.
             190          (d) (i) The state engineer shall:
             191          (A) retain and file one copy of the recharge certificate; and
             192          (B) deliver one copy of the recharge certificate to the recharge permittee.
             193          (ii) A recharge permittee shall file the recharge certificate with the county recorder of
             194      the county in which the water is recharged.
             195          (e) The recharge certificate issued and filed under this section is prima facie evidence
             196      of the H. [ recharge ] .H permittee's right to the artificially recharged water for the purpose,
             196a      at the place,
             197      and during the time specified in the recharge certificate.
             198          Section 8. Section 73-3b-204 is amended to read:
             199           73-3b-204. Application for a recovery permit -- Required information.
             200          [(1) If a person intends to recharge and recover water, the recovery application and
             201      permit may be filed and processed with the groundwater recharge application and permit.]
             202          (1) A person may file a recovery permit application with a recharge permit application.
             203          (2) The application for obtaining a recovery permit shall include the following
             204      information:
             205          (a) the name and mailing address of the applicant;
             206          (b) a legal description of the location of the existing well or proposed new well from
             207      which the applicant intends to recover [stored] artificially recharged water;
             208          (c) a written consent from the owner of the recharge permit, if the applicant does not
             209      hold the recharge permit;
             210          (d) the name and mailing address of the owner of the land from which the applicant
             211      proposes to recover [stored] artificially recharged water;
             212          (e) the name or description of the artificially recharged groundwater aquifer which is
             213      the source of supply;


             214          (f) the purpose for which the [stored] artificially recharged water will be recovered;
             215          (g) the depth and diameter of the existing well or proposed new well;
             216          (h) a legal description of the area where the [stored] artificially recharged water is
             217      proposed to be used;
             218          (i) the design pumping capacity of the existing well or proposed new well; and
             219          (j) any other information including maps, drawings, and data that the state engineer
             220      requires.
             221          (3) (a) A filing fee must be submitted with the application.
             222          (b) The state engineer shall establish the filing fee in accordance with Section
             223      63J-1-504 .
             224          Section 9. Section 73-3b-205 is amended to read:
             225           73-3b-205. Issuance of recovery permit -- Criteria -- Conditions.
             226          The state engineer:
             227          (1) shall issue the recovery permit if [he] the state engineer determines that:
             228          (a) the proposed recovery of [stored] artificially recharged water will not impair any
             229      existing water right;
             230          (b) the applicant [of the] is the holder of an approved recharge permit or recovery
             231      permit, or if [he] the applicant does not hold the recharge permit, has a valid agreement with
             232      the owner of the recharge permit to divert and use the recovered water; and
             233          (c) the recovery point of diversion is located within the area of hydrologic impact of
             234      the recharge project, as determined by the state engineer; and
             235          (2) may attach to the permit any conditions [he] the state engineer determines are
             236      appropriate.
             237          Section 10. Section 73-3b-206 is amended to read:
             238           73-3b-206. Proof of completion, certification, or lapse of recovery permit.
             239          (1) Sixty days before the date on which the recovery permit will lapse under Subsection
             240      (3), the state engineer shall notify the applicant by mail when proof of completion is due.
             241          (2) (a) Before the date on which the recovery permit will lapse under Subsection (3),
             242      the applicant shall file proof of completion with the state engineer on a form furnished by the
             243      state engineer, which shall include documentation and a map prepared by a Utah licensed land
             244      surveyor or Utah licensed professional engineer that shows:


             245          (i) the location and description of the recovery works constructed;
             246          (ii) the method of recovering the artificially recharged water;
             247          (iii) the facilities in place to recover and deliver the recovered water; and
             248          (iv) the purpose and place of use of the recovered water.
             249          (b) The state engineer may waive the filing of a map, profile, or drawing, if in the state
             250      engineer's opinion the written proof of completion adequately describes the works and the
             251      nature and extent of the recovery project.
             252          (c) The completed proof shall conform to a rule established by the state engineer.
             253          (3) A recovery permit will lapse if the recovery project is not completed within five
             254      years from the date of the recovery permit application's approval unless:
             255          (a) the applicant requests an extension of time to complete the recovery project; and
             256          (b) the state engineer approves the [request] extension of time.
             257          (4) (a) The state engineer shall issue a recovery certificate if the recovery permittee has
             258      demonstrated to the state engineer's satisfaction that:
             259          (i) the recovery project is perfected in accordance with the recovery permit; and
             260          (ii) water is being recovered.
             261          (b) The H. [ recharge ] recovery .H certificate shall include:
             262          (i) the name and post office address of the H. [ recharge ] recovery .H permittee;
             263          (ii) the works used to recover and deliver recovered water; and
             264          (iii) other information that defines the extent and conditions of the recovery permit.
             265          (c) A recovery certificate issued for a recovery permit need show no more than the
             266      facts shown in the proof of completion.
             267          (d) A recovery certificate issued under this section does not extend the rights described
             268      in the recovery permit.
             269          (e) (i) The state engineer shall:
             270          (A) retain and file one copy of the recovery certificate; and
             271          (B) deliver one copy of the recovery certificate to the recovery permittee.
             272          (ii) A recovery permittee shall file the recovery certificate with the county recorder of
             273      the county in which the water is recovered.
             274          (f) The recovery certificate issued and filed under this section is prima facie evidence
             275      of the recovery permittee's right to the recovered water for the purpose, at the place, and during


             276      the time specified in the recovery certificate.
             277          Section 11. Section 73-3b-208 is amended to read:
             278           73-3b-208. Proposed new well -- Compliance with water well construction rules.
             279          An applicant for a recharge permit or recovery permit who intends to construct a new
             280      well to recharge or recover [stored] artificially recharged water must comply with Sections
             281      73-3-25 and 73-3-26 , and rules adopted under those sections, regarding the construction of
             282      water wells.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 10-22-09 1:40 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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