GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 554*

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Sponsors: Representatives DeVane; J. Crawford, Bowman, and Bowen.

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Referred to:  Rules.

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March 14, 1989

A JOINT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION TO STUDY THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE GROUNDWATER LEGISLATION TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE GROUNDWATER RESOURCES OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, more than half the citizens of North Carolina are dependent on groundwater as their principal source of drinking water; and
Whereas, groundwater resources across the State are increasingly vulnerable to contamination from many land use activities and an unprecedented number of leaking underground storage tanks; and
Whereas, the State's fragmented groundwater protection authorities have effectively frustrated efforts to protect these resources and to clean up pollution where incidents of groundwater contamination have occurred; and
Whereas, this inability to effectively protect groundwater is leading to increased statewide degradation of the resource;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The Legislative Research Commission may study the impact of fragmented and ambiguous authorities on the State's ability to effectively protect groundwater resources, and to assess the need for a Comprehensive Groundwater Protection Act which would correct this fragmentation problem.  The Commission is further authorized to prepare an interim report of its study, and to make a final recommendation, including recommendations to the 1989 General Assembly, Regular Session 1990.
Sec. 2.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.