0242-sb 0330

CHAPTER 242

SB 330 - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the impact of water withdrawals on instream flows and the impact of instream flow rules on entities that withdraw water or are affected by instream flows.

SPONSORS: Sen. Russman, Dist 19; Sen. Cohen, Dist 24; Sen. Wheeler, Dist 21; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Pignatelli, Dist 13; Sen. McCarley, Dist 6; Rep. Blanchard, Rock 33; Rep. Spang, Straf 8; Rep. Bradley, Carr 8; Rep. O'Connell, Hills 13; Rep. Richardson, Ches 12

This bill establishes a committee to study the impact of water withdrawals on instream flows and the impact of instream flow rules on entities that withdraw water or are affected by instream flows.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the impact of water withdrawals on instream flows and the impact of instream flow rules on entities that withdraw water or are affected by instream flows.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

242:1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the impact of water withdrawals on instream flows and the impact of instream flow rules on entities that withdraw water or are affected by instream flows, including the relationship between water withdrawals and instream flows on rivers designated for protection under RSA 483 and the potential need for the incorporation of criteria for the maintenance of instream flow into water quality standards under RSA 485-A:8.

(b) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

I. The committee shall study the impact of water withdrawals on instream flows and the impact of instream flow rules on entities that withdraw water or are affected by instream flows, including the relationship between water withdrawals and instream flows on rivers designated for protection under RSA 483 and the potential need for the incorporation of criteria for the maintenance of instream flow into water quality standards under RSA 485-A:8. The committee shall evaluate the instream flow provisions of RSA 483, as implemented by the department of environmental services, and shall recommend changes to RSA 483 and/or RSA 485-A to accomplish the purposes of watershed management for maintenance of instream flows.

II. The committee shall evaluate the effects of instream flow regulation on the rights of littoral and riparian property owners, including agriculture and business and industrial operations.

242:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 90 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

242:5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before December 31, 2001.

242:6 Establishment of Protected Instream Flows; Rulemaking. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no rules relative to instream flows under RSA 483:9-c, I shall take effect prior to July 1, 2001.