GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 124*

Short Title:  Water Projects Plan.	(Public)
─────────────────────────────────────── 
Sponsors: Representatives Payne; Gottovi and Hightower.
─────────────────────────────────────── 
Referred to:  Environment.
─────────────────────────────────────── 

February 21, 1991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PREPARE A WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS PLAN AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET REVIEW THE PLAN AND ADOPT A WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Article 21 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 8A.  Water Resources Development Projects.
"§ 143-215.73A.  Water Resources Development Program.
(a)	Program adopted. - Before July 1, in each calendar year, the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources shall prepare a statewide plan for water resources development projects for a period of six years into the future.  The plan shall be known as the Water Resources Development Program.  The Department shall submit the plan to the Director of the Budget for review.  If the plan differs from the program adopted for the preceding calendar year, the Department shall indicate what the changes are and shall state the reasons for those modifications. The Director of the Budget may modify the plan, but shall adopt a Water Resources Development Program by October 1 of each calendar year.
(b)	Projects listed. - The plan shall list the following:
(1)	As of May 1, those water resources development projects approved by Congress.
(2)	As of May 1, those water resources development projects for which Congress has appropriated federal funds.
(3)	As of May 1, those water resources development projects for which grant applications have been submitted under Part 8 of Article 21 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes.
(4)	As of May 1, those water resources development projects for which grant applications have been submitted under Article 4 of Chapter 139 of the General Statutes.
(5)	As of May 1, those water resources development projects planned as federal reservoir projects but for which no federal funds are scheduled and for which local governments are seeking State financial assistance.
(c)	Project priorities and funding recommendations. - The Department shall assign a priority to each project listed under subsection (b) either by giving the project a number, with '1' assigned to the highest priority, or by recommending no funding.  The Department shall state its reasons for recommending the funding, deferral, or elimination of a project.
The Department shall determine the priority of a project based on the following criteria:  local interest in the project, the cost of the project to the State, the benefit of the project to the State, and the environmental impact of the project.
(d)	Project information. - For each project listed under subsection (b), the plan shall:
(1)	Provide a brief description.
(2)	If federal, list the estimated cost of each of the following phases that have not been completed as of July 1, (i) feasibility study, (ii) construction, (iii) operation and maintenance, and the amount of State funds required to match the federal funds needed.
(3)	If State or local, list the estimated cost to complete the project and amount of State funds required under G.S. 143-215.71 or G.S. 139-54.
(4)	Indicate the total cost to date and the State share of that cost.
(5)	Indicate the status.
(6)	Indicate the estimated completion date."
Sec. 2.  This act is effective upon ratification.