STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION 1005	By:	McNiel of the House 

				and

		Justice of the Senate

AS INTRODUCED

A Concurrent Resolution designating March 9, 2011, Water Appreciation Day at the State Capitol; encouraging recognition of the value and significance of water resources; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, Oklahoma’s water is a unique and precious resource that binds all Oklahomans to a rich past and promising future; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma has 1,400 square miles of water in lakes and ponds, 320 million acre-feet of water stored in its major aquifers, and 167,000 miles of rivers and streams, making it a state abundant in water resources.  No natural resource is as vital to the welfare of Oklahoma as clean, accessible water, of which more than 1.5 trillion gallons are used every day throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, the proper care and management of water is vital to Oklahoma due to its value to state industry and commerce, aquatic and wildlife species, and vibrant tourism industry in Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan serves as the roadmap for water development and protection for the state, and the ongoing update of the Water Plan, scheduled to be presented to the Oklahoma Legislature in February 2012, is unprecedented in its scope and significance and will serve as the primary guidance document for numerous state and federal water agencies and organizations in the management and protection of the water resources of the state; and
WHEREAS, last year the Financial Assistance Programs of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the principal water and wastewater infrastructure financing mechanism for the state, exceeded the two-billion-four-hundred-million-dollar milestone in approved loans and grants to Oklahoma communities and water systems by leveraging over $150 Million Dollars in 2010 to underwrite construction of 56 water and wastewater projects, resulting in more than $75 Million Dollars in savings to Oklahoma communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN:
THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature, recognizing the importance of water interests to the State of Oklahoma, designates March 9, 2011, “Water Appreciation Day” at the Oklahoma State Capitol and urges all Oklahoma citizens to respect the value and significance of the water resources in Oklahoma.
THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for distribution to the state environmental agencies and organizations participating in “Water Appreciation Day” at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

53-1-6987	KB	03/03/11