Revision: Jan. 1, 2008, midnight
HB 1439 – AS INTRODUCED
2008 SESSION
06/09
HOUSE BILL 1439
AN ACT relative to a moratorium on large groundwater withdrawals intended for commercial bottling use.
SPONSORS: Rep. Buco, Carr 1; Rep. Cunningham, Carr 3; Rep. Bridgham, Carr 2; Rep. Heard, Carr 3
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
This bill places a moratorium on large groundwater withdrawals intended for commercial bottling use.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
08-2193
06/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight
AN ACT relative to a moratorium on large groundwater withdrawals intended for commercial bottling use.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Purpose.
I. The general court finds that New Hampshire must be able to control its natural resources for the benefit of its citizens and future generations. Our water, particularly ground water, which commands a higher price than gasoline at the retail level, has drawn the attention of foreign corporations and their domestic affiliates. When our water is exported, it becomes an international commodity with its production and sale protected by the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). As an international commodity, this water is beyond the control of the public utilities commission and the department of environmental services.
II. Therefore, the general court finds that a moratorium of all future well drilling and water withdrawal by private corporations or other persons for the purpose of producing bottled water is necessary to allow the state of New Hampshire time to consider ways to strengthen our ability to protect and control our water resources. This moratorium is not intended to affect public water systems that supply water for domestic use and fire suppression.
2 Moratorium on Large Groundwater Withdrawals for Bottling Use. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, there is hereby established a 5-year moratorium on the issue of large groundwater withdrawal permits for withdrawals intended for commercial bottling use, which shall be in effect from the effective date of this act.
3 Public Water Intended for Domestic Purposes. This moratorium shall not apply to wells and ground water withdrawals conducted by public water precincts or municipalities intended solely to supply water for domestic purposes and fire suppression.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.