Local Aquifer Local Aquifer Protection Protection Regulations Regulations F&ES 851b F&ES 851b Lisa Botero Lisa Botero Bruce Ho Bruce Ho 20 April 2004 20 April 2004
Dec 16, 2015
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