GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1211*

Short Title:  EHNR Water Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representative DeVane.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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April 28, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES FOR WATER SUPPLY PLANNING AND REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT STUDIES.
Whereas, in 1989, the General Assembly enacted legislation requiring about 600 local governments to prepare water supply plans and required the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources to assist local governments with their plans and to prepare a State water supply plan; and 
Whereas, in 1991, the General Assembly required water users to register certain water supply withdrawals and transfers, and required the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources to manage information and make reports on water use; and
Whereas, no funds have been appropriated to the Department to carry out these additional statutory requirements; and 
Whereas, some regions of North Carolina have potential shortages or management problems with their surface or groundwater resources which require quantitative analysis for careful management; and 
Whereas, sound water management requires the continuous collection of data on surface and ground water resources, and federal matching funds are available to support the program; and 
Whereas, the economic health and environmental quality of North Carolina depend on sound water supply planning to meet future needs; Now, therefore,
The General Asembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources the sum of three hundred sixty-three thousand thirty-four dollars ($363,034) for the 1993-94 fiscal year, and the sum of three hundred fifteen thousand eight hundred eighty-one dollars ($315,881) for the 1994-95 fiscal year for local and State water supply planning and regional water supply and water management studies.
Sec. 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources the sum of one hundred thirty-five thousand dollars ($135,000) for the 1993-94 fiscal year and the sum of one hundred fifty-eight thousand eight hundred dollars ($158,800) for the 1994-95 fiscal year to match federal funds for the collection of water resource data through the U. S. Geological Survey Cooperative Program and other efforts.
Sec. 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1993.