Bill
SD 1668
Overview: SD 1668, "An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management", has passed the House and is awaiting final concurrence.Purpose and
Overview: SD 1668, "An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management", has passed the House and is awaiting final concurrence.
Purpose and Intent: The bill aims to establish a comprehensive statewide drought management plan to ensure the state's water resources are effectively conserved and allocated during periods of drought. The intent is to protect public water supplies, support agricultural and industrial users, and mitigate the environmental impacts of drought conditions.
Key Provisions:
- Require the state's Department of Environmental Protection to develop and maintain a Drought Management Plan, updated every 5 years
- Authorize the Department to declare drought emergencies and implement water use restrictions and conservation measures
- Establish a Drought Task Force to coordinate drought response efforts across state agencies and stakeholders
- Create a Drought Resilience Grant Program to fund infrastructure improvements and other drought mitigation projects
Affected Parties and Impacts: The bill would impact all water users in the state, including municipalities, agricultural operations, businesses, and individual residents. During declared drought emergencies, water use restrictions and conservation measures could be imposed to preserve dwindling supplies. The grant program would provide funding to help communities and industries adapt to drought conditions.
Procedural and Timeline Considerations: The bill has passed the state Senate and is currently awaiting final concurrence in the House. Once passed by both chambers, it will be sent to the Governor for signature into law. The new Drought Management Plan and associated programs would then be implemented by the Department of Environmental Protection.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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