Our water is running out, and we need to pay attention.
Increased growth continues to strain water resources as more agricultural,
municipal, recreational, and commercial users attempt to quench their
thirst. Ironically, as water withdrawals increase, users may be destroying
the very resource upon which they depend.
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Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service |
In many states, there is no requirement that large water withdrawals be permitted by a coordinating agency responsible for juggling the multiple uses and users of shared water systems. In order to meet the need for effective water use, legislation was written in Michigan to establish a permitting system for large groundwater withdrawals. The basis of our sample bill text is Michigan’s 2002 House Bill 5725. This bill also contains provisions from other states that have effectively planned the use of groundwater through a comprehensive permitting system. |
This website offers the tools necessary for you to promote groundwater withdrawal permitting in your state, including a sample bill, talking points, press clips, links, a fact pack, research, and other background information. For information regarding groundwater withdrawal reporting, please see our package on this topic.
We may have other useful materials on this subject which are not posted on our website. Please feel free to contact us at info@serconline.org or call our office in Madison, WI at (608) 252-9800.
If you have used this site and found it helpful, or if you have suggestions about how it could be made more helpful, please let us know. Please feel free to use the sample bill text included here in your state. If you do, please notify us.
106 East Doty Street, Suite 200 § Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Phone: 608-252-9800 § Fax: 608-252-9828
Email: info@serconline.org