Exempt Drains Designated Groundwater Requirements

To withdraw groundwater within a designated basin, current law requires a permit issued by the ground water commission, and typically a portion of the groundwater must be replaced. The bill exempts a drain from the permit and replacement obligations if the drain is for residential, commercial, or industrial development or utility lines installed to serve such development; the drain does not penetrate a confining layer; the removed groundwater is not put to any use other than collecting and removing groundwater from soils; and the removed groundwater is discharged essentially where the drain is located. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)