2007 Senate Bill 858 / 2008 Public Act 187

Impose groundwater use restrictions and permitting mandates

Introduced in the Senate

Oct. 29, 2007

Introduced by Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom (R-34)

To amend the law regulating public water systems in Michigan to require (rather than allow) the Department of Enviromental Quality to determine the hydrological effects of new municipal waterworks that will withdraw more than 2.0 million gallons of water per day from a source other than the Great Lakes and their connecting waterways, and prohibit ones that it determines would have an "adverse resource impact".

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

Dec. 6, 2007

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 14, 2008

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details based on extensive testimony and negotiations - see Senate-passed version. The substitute was amended to add a provision establishing that no person is required to remain connected to a municipal water system.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

Received in the House

May 14, 2008

Referred to the Committee on Great Lakes and Environment

June 24, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that lowers the threshold at which a permit would be required to 1 million gallons per day.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 89 to 19 (details)

To amend the law regulating public water systems in Michigan to require (rather than allow) the Department of Enviromental Quality to determine the hydrological effects of new municipal waterworks that will withdraw more than 1.0 million gallons of water per day from a source other than the Great Lakes and their connecting waterways, and prohibit ones that it determines would have an "adverse resource impact".

Received in the Senate

June 25, 2008

Passed in the Senate 35 to 0 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

July 9, 2008