Local Aquifer Local Aquifer Protection RegulationsProtection Regulations

F&ES 851bF&ES 851b

Lisa BoteroLisa Botero

Bruce HoBruce Ho

20 April 200420 April 2004

Why protect aquifers?Why protect aquifers?

Save moneySave money Protect healthProtect health Preserve the environment Preserve the environment

Aquifer protection Aquifer protection authorityauthority

FederalFederal Legislative (CWA, SDWA)Legislative (CWA, SDWA) Provide resources (financial, advisory)Provide resources (financial, advisory)

StateState Legislative (rights, standards)Legislative (rights, standards) Provide resources (financial, advisory)Provide resources (financial, advisory)

Sub-State RegionalSub-State Regional *Legislative (planning, zoning)*Legislative (planning, zoning) Provide resources (financial, advisory)Provide resources (financial, advisory)

LocalLocal Legislative (planning, zoning)Legislative (planning, zoning)

Why local level protection?Why local level protection? Geographic locationGeographic location Municipal water supply facilitiesMunicipal water supply facilities Local threats/local solutionsLocal threats/local solutions

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Research methodsResearch methods

SpamSpam Personal contactsPersonal contacts University centers/professorsUniversity centers/professors Non-profitsNon-profits

EPA identified communitiesEPA identified communities Phone networkingPhone networking F&ES contactsF&ES contacts

Types of aquifer Types of aquifer ordinancesordinances

Fee-based (Users)Fee-based (Users) Specific use prohibitions (Polluters)Specific use prohibitions (Polluters) General protection criteria General protection criteria

(Pollutants)(Pollutants)

Fee-Based:Fee-Based:Spokane County, WASpokane County, WA

Pay for public sewer improvementsPay for public sewer improvements Aquifer use feeAquifer use fee Why regulate this way?Why regulate this way?

SimpleSimple Relatively non-controversialRelatively non-controversial

Specific Use Prohibitions:Specific Use Prohibitions:Hatfield, MAHatfield, MA

Permitting of usesPermitting of uses Lists prohibited and restricted Lists prohibited and restricted

activitiesactivities Automotive service stationsAutomotive service stations Sand and gravel operationsSand and gravel operations Wastewater treatment facilitiesWastewater treatment facilities

Why regulate this way?Why regulate this way? Target specific problemsTarget specific problems Clear standardsClear standards

General Protection General Protection Criteria:Criteria:

Pekin, ILPekin, IL

Individually evaluate activitiesIndividually evaluate activities General standardsGeneral standards

Impervious surfacesImpervious surfaces Hazardous materialsHazardous materials SetbacksSetbacks

Why regulate this way?Why regulate this way? More inclusiveMore inclusive LongevityLongevity

Sample Ordinance:Sample Ordinance:Austin, TX: Save Our SpringsAustin, TX: Save Our Springs

Citizen initiative adopted in 1992Citizen initiative adopted in 1992 ““To preserve a clean and safe To preserve a clean and safe

drinking water supply…”drinking water supply…” ““To prevent further degradation of To prevent further degradation of

the water quality in Barton Creek, the water quality in Barton Creek, Barton Springs, and the Barton Springs, and the Barton Barton Springs Edwards AquiferSprings Edwards Aquifer…”…”

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Save Our Springs InitiativeSave Our Springs Initiative

Pollution prevention (NPS)Pollution prevention (NPS) Application: Site-by-site review Application: Site-by-site review

of new development and of new development and modifications within the aquifer modifications within the aquifer recharge zonerecharge zone Requirement: No net increase in site Requirement: No net increase in site runoff pollutionrunoff pollution

Method: Impervious surface cover Method: Impervious surface cover standards and water quality controlsstandards and water quality controls

Additional provisionsAdditional provisions

Save Our Springs…Save Our Springs…

Critical waterway areasCritical waterway areas Expiration of prior approvalsExpiration of prior approvals Conflict with other lawsConflict with other laws Future standardsFuture standards

Save Our Springs: Save Our Springs: InnovationInnovation

Why is this innovative?Why is this innovative? Strong, scientific standardsStrong, scientific standards Regulates water quality…Regulates water quality… ……not specific activitiesnot specific activities Flexible implementationFlexible implementation Room to growRoom to grow

Save Our Springs: Save Our Springs: Enforcement IssuesEnforcement Issues

State legislationState legislation City governmentCity government Legal challengesLegal challenges

Change agentsChange agents

GovernmentGovernment Federal: EPA, USGSFederal: EPA, USGS State: State Geological SurveysState: State Geological Surveys Sub-State Regional: Water Sub-State Regional: Water

Quality/Natural Resource DistrictsQuality/Natural Resource Districts AcademicAcademic Non-ProfitNon-Profit

How is change happening?How is change happening?

Crisis driven: prevention or Crisis driven: prevention or responseresponse Vulnerable resourceVulnerable resource ContaminationContamination

Government mandateGovernment mandate EPA standardsEPA standards State standardsState standards

ObservationsObservations

Public education and outreachPublic education and outreach Regional aquifers and coalitionsRegional aquifers and coalitions Water rights issuesWater rights issues