STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION 3	By:	Paddack

AS INTRODUCED

A Concurrent Resolution directing the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to enter into certain agreement relating to water quality standards and water reclamation and reuse by certain date; requiring submission of agreement; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, in the Water for 2060 Act that was enacted in 2012, the Legislature declared that, in order to protect Oklahoma citizens from increased water supply shortages and groundwater depletions by the year 2060 as described in the 2012 Update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan, the public policy of this state is to establish and work toward a goal of consuming no more fresh water in the year 2060 than in consumed statewide in the year 2012; and
WHEREAS, in order to ensure adequate water supplies for Oklahoma citizens and to sustain and grow the economy of Oklahoma, it is necessary not only to utilize existing water resources more efficiently, but also to explore opportunities for reclaiming and using or reusing wastewater, marginal-quality water, brackish water, and other alternative sources of supply in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment; and
WHEREAS, some steps toward greater reclamation and reuse of water have already been accomplished, including but not limited to prior legislation to authorize limited residential use of gray water without a permit and adoption by the Oklahoma Environmental Quality Board of rules governing water reclamation and reuse for certain commercial, industrial, agricultural, construction and other purposes; and
WHEREAS, also pursuant to prior legislation, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has convened working groups including municipalities, industrial representatives, consulting engineers, technical experts, and the general public to explore further opportunities for water reclamation and reuse and the process by and conditions under which additional means of reclamation and reuse should be allowed; and
WHEREAS, some new or enhanced opportunities for water reclamation and reuse identified by the working groups or through other means could require consideration by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board of changes to the Oklahoma Water Quality Standards and, if adopted by the Board and finally approved, subsequent implementation of those standards by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality through permits and other regulatory actions; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of both the citizens and the economy of Oklahoma that the review and consideration of proposed changes to the Oklahoma Water Quality Standards relating to water reclamation and reuse and the subsequent incorporation and implementation of approved standards be undertaken in as streamlined and expeditious a manner as possible consistent with legal requirements and without compromising public participation and 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 54TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:
THAT the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality are directed to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement by no later than September 1, 2013.  The Memorandum of Agreement shall describe the measures that the agencies individually and collectively shall take to ensure that consideration of the adoption of water quality standards that impact opportunities for water reclamation and reuse, and the implementation of approved standards through permitting and other regulatory actions, shall be expedited to the maximum extent practicable without compromising public participation as required by law and the principles of government openness and transparency.
THAT the Memorandum of Agreement between the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality shall, after execution, be submitted to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

54-1-901	 MJM	1/17/2013 11:52:06 AM