Source: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=18:2.0.3.3.4&idno=18
Timestamp: 2015-03-29 09:26:42
Document Index: 475664921

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', 'arts 806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', 'art 801', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', 'art 801', '§806', '§806', '§808', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', 'art 801', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§801', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§806', '§808', '§808', '§806', '§806', '§806']

PART 806—REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PROJECTSContentsSubpart A—General Provisions
Authority: Secs. 3.4, 3.5 (5), 3.8, 3.10, and 15.2, Pub. L. 91-575, 84 Stat. 1509, et seq. Source: 71 FR 78579, Dec. 29, 2006, unless otherwise noted. Back to Top
§806.1 Scope.(a) This part establishes the scope and procedures for review and approval of projects under Section 3.10 of the Susquehanna River Basin Compact, Public Law 91-575, 84 Stat. 1509 et seq., (the compact) and establishes special standards under Section 3.4(2) of the compact governing water withdrawals and the consumptive use of water. The special standards established pursuant to Section 3.4(2) shall be applicable to all water withdrawals and consumptive uses in accordance with the terms of those standards, irrespective of whether such withdrawals and uses are also subject to project review under Section 3.10. This part, and every other part of 18 CFR Chapter VIII, shall also be incorporated into and made a part of the comprehensive plan.(b) When projects subject to Commission review and approval are sponsored by governmental authorities, the Commission shall submit recommendations and findings to the sponsoring agency, which shall be included in any report submitted by such agency to its respective legislative body or to any committee thereof in connection with any request for authorization or appropriation therefor. The Commission review will ascertain the project's compatibility with the objectives, goals, guidelines and criteria set forth in the comprehensive plan. If determined compatible, the said project will also be incorporated into the comprehensive plan, if so required by the compact. For the purposes of avoiding conflicts of jurisdiction and of giving full effect to the Commission as a regional agency of the member jurisdictions, no expenditure or commitment shall be made by any governmental authority for or on account of the construction, acquisition or operation of any project or facility unless it first has been included by the Commission in the comprehensive plan.(c) If any portion of this part, or any other part of 18 CFR Chapter VIII, shall, for any reason, be declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, all remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.(d) Except as otherwise stated in this part, this part shall be effective on January 1, 2007.(e) When any period of time is referred to in this part, such period in all cases shall be so computed as to exclude the first and include the last day of such period. Whenever the last day of any such period shall fall on Saturday or Sunday, or on any day made a legal holiday by the law of the United States, such day shall be omitted from the computation.(f) Any Commission forms or documents referenced in this part may be obtained from the Commission at 1721 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102-2391, or from the Commission's Web site at http://www.srbc.net. Back to Top
§806.2 Purposes.(a) The general purposes of this part are to advance the purposes of the compact and include, but are not limited to:(1) The promotion of interstate comity;(2) The conservation, utilization, development, management and control of water resources under comprehensive, multiple purpose planning; and(3) The direction, supervision and coordination of water resources efforts and programs of federal, state and local governments and of private enterprise.(b) In addition, §§806.22, 806.23 and 806.24 of this part contain the following specific purposes: Protection of public health, safety and welfare; stream quality control; economic development; protection of fisheries and aquatic habitat; recreation; dilution and abatement of pollution; the regulation of flows and supplies of ground and surface waters; the avoidance of conflicts among water users; the prevention of undue salinity; and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.(c) The objective of all interpretation and construction of this part and all subsequent parts is to ascertain and effectuate the purposes and the intention of the Commission set out in this section. These regulations shall not be construed in such a way as to limit the authority of the Commission, the enforcement actions it may take, or the remedies it may prescribe. Back to Top
§806.3 Definitions.For purposes of parts 806, 807 and 808, unless the context indicates otherwise, the words listed in this section are defined as follows:Agricultural water use. A water use associated primarily with the raising of food, fiber or forage crops, trees, flowers, shrubs, turf products, livestock and poultry. The term shall include aquaculture.Application. A written request for action by the Commission including without limitation thereto a letter, referral by any agency of a member jurisdiction, or an official form prescribed by the Commission.Basin. The area of drainage of the Susquehanna River and its tributaries into the Chesapeake Bay to the southern edge of the Pennsylvania Railroad bridge between Havre de Grace and Perryville, Maryland.Change of Ownership. A change in ownership shall mean any transfer by sale or conveyance of the real or personal property comprising a project.Commission. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission, as established in Article 2 of the compact, including its commissioners, officers, employees, or duly appointed agents or representatives.Commissioner. Member or Alternate Member of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission as prescribed by Article 2 of the compact.Compact. The Susquehanna River Basin Compact, Pub. L. 91-575; 84 Stat. 1509 et seq.Comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan prepared and adopted by the Commission pursuant to Articles 3 and 14 of the compact.Construction. To physically initiate assemblage, installation, erection or fabrication of any facility, involving or intended for the withdrawal, conveyance, storage or consumptive use of the waters of the basin. For purposes of unconventional natural gas development projects subject to review and approval pursuant to §806.4(a)(8), initiation of construction shall be deemed to commence upon the drilling (spudding) of a gas well, or the initiation of construction of any water impoundment or other water-related facility to serve the project, whichever comes first.Consumptive use. The loss of water transferred through a manmade conveyance system or any integral part thereof (including such water that is purveyed through a public water supply or wastewater system), due to transpiration by vegetation, incorporation into products during their manufacture, evaporation, injection of water or wastewater into a subsurface formation from which it would not reasonably be available for future use in the basin, diversion from the basin, or any other process by which the water is not returned to the waters of the basin undiminished in quantity.Diversion. The transfer of water into or out of the basin.Drilling pad site. The area occupied by the equipment or facilities necessary for or incidental to drilling, production or plugging of one or more hydrocarbon development wells and upon which such drilling has or is intended to occur.Executive Director. The chief executive officer of the Commission appointed pursuant to Article 15, Section 15.5, of the compact.Facility. Any real or personal property, within or without the basin, and improvements thereof or thereon, and any and all rights of way, water, water rights, plants, structures, machinery, and equipment acquired, constructed, operated, or maintained for the beneficial use of water resources or related land uses or otherwise including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any and all things and appurtenances necessary, useful, or convenient for the control, collection, storage, withdrawal, diversion, release, treatment, transmission, sale, or exchange of water; or for navigation thereon, or the development and use of hydroelectric energy and power, and public recreational facilities; of the propagation of fish and wildlife; or to conserve and protect the water resources of the basin or any existing or future water supply source, or to facilitate any other uses of any of them.Flowback. The return flow of water and formation fluids recovered from the wellbore of an unconventional natural gas or hydrocarbon development well following the release of pressures induced as part of the hydraulic fracture stimulation of a target geologic formation, and until the well is placed into production.Formation fluids. Fluids in a liquid or gaseous physical state, present within the pore spaces, fractures, faults, vugs, caverns, or any other spaces of formations, whether or not naturally occurring or injected therein.Governmental authority. A federal or state government, or any political subdivision, public corporation, public authority, special purpose district, or agency thereof.Groundwater. Water beneath the surface of the ground within a zone of saturation, whether or not flowing through known and definite channels or percolating through underground geologic formations, and regardless of whether the result of natural or artificial recharge. The term includes water contained in quarries, pits and underground mines having no significant surface water inflow, aquifers, underground water courses and other bodies of water below the surface of the earth. The term also includes a spring in which the water level is sufficiently lowered by pumping or other means of drainage to eliminate the surface flow. All other springs are considered to be surface water.Hydrocarbon development project. A project undertaken for the purpose of extraction of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons from geologic formations, including but not limited to the drilling, casing, cementing, stimulation and completion of unconventional natural gas development wells, and all other activities and facilities associated with the foregoing or with the production, maintenance, operation, closure, plugging and restoration of such wells or drilling pad sites that require water for purposes including but not limited to, re-stimulation and/or re-completion of wells, fresh water injection of production tubing, use of coiled tubing units, pumping, cement hydration, dust suppression, and hydro-seeding or other revegetation activities, until all post-plugging restoration is completed in accordance with all applicable member jurisdiction requirements. The project includes water used for hydro-seeding or other revegetation activities, dust suppression and hydro-excavation of access roads and underground lines, as well as cleaning of tanks, related to a drilling pad site and centralized impoundments.Hydrocarbon water storage facility. An engineered barrier or structure, including but not limited to tanks, pits or impoundments, constructed for the purpose of storing water, flowback or production fluids for use in hydrocarbon development.Member jurisdiction. The signatory parties as defined in the compact, comprised of the States of Maryland and New York, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America.Member state. The States of Maryland and New York, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.Person. An individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, and the like and shall have no gender and the singular shall include the plural. The term shall include a governmental authority and any other entity which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and obligations.Pre-compact consumptive use. The maximum average daily quantity or volume of water consumptively used over any consecutive 30-day period prior to January 23, 1971.Production fluids. Water or formation fluids recovered at the wellhead of a producing hydrocarbon well as a by-product of the production activity.Project. Any work, service, activity or facility undertaken, which is separately planned, financed or identified by the Commission, or any separate facility undertaken or to be undertaken by the Commission or otherwise within a specified area, for the conservation, utilization, control, development, or management of water resources, which can be established and utilized independently, or as an addition to an existing facility, and can be considered as a separate entity for purposes of evaluation.Project sponsor. Any person who owns, operates or proposes to undertake a project. The singular shall include the plural.Public water supply. A system, including facilities for collection, treatment, storage and distribution, that provides water to the public for human consumption, that:(1) Serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents of the area served by the system; or(2) Regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents.Surface water. Water on the surface of the ground, including water in a perennial or intermittent watercourse, lake, reservoir, pond, spring, wetland, estuary, swamp or marsh, or diffused surface water, whether such body of water is natural or artificial.Tophole water. Water that is brought to the surface while drilling through the strata containing fresh groundwater. Tophole water may contain drill cuttings typical of the formation being penetrated but may not be polluted or contaminated by additives, brine, oil or man induced conditions.Unconventional natural gas development project. A hydrocarbon development project undertaken for the purpose of extraction of gaseous hydrocarbons from low permeability geologic formations utilizing enhanced drilling, stimulation or recovery techniques.Undertake. Except for activities related to site evaluation, the initiation of construction or operation of a new or expanded project, or the operation of an existing project, that is subject to Commission review and approval.Water or waters of the basin. Groundwater or surface water, or both, within the basin either before or after withdrawal.Water resources.Includes all waters and related natural resources within the basin.Withdrawal.A taking or removal of water from any source within the basin for use within the basin.
§806.4 Projects requiring review and approval.(a) Except for activities relating to site evaluation or those authorized under §806.34, no person shall undertake any of the following projects without prior review and approval by the Commission. The project sponsor shall submit an application in accordance with subpart B and shall be subject to the applicable standards in subpart C.(1) Consumptive use of water. Any consumptive use project described below shall require an application to be submitted in accordance with §806.13, and shall be subject to the standards set forth in §806.22, and, to the extent that it involves a withdrawal from groundwater or surface water, shall also be subject to the standards set forth in §806.23. Except to the extent that they involve the diversion of the waters of the basin, public water supplies shall be exempt from the requirements of this section regarding consumptive use; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt individual consumptive users connected to any such public water supply from the requirements of this section. Provided the commission determines that low flow augmentation projects sponsored by the commission's member states provide sufficient mitigation for agricultural water use to meet the standards set forth in §806.22, and except as otherwise provided below, agricultural water use projects shall not be subject to the requirements of this paragraph (a)(1). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an agricultural water use project involving a diversion of the waters of the basin shall be subject to such requirements unless the property, or contiguous parcels of property, upon which the agricultural water use project occurs is located at least partially within the basin.(i) Any project initiated on or after January 23, 1971, involving a consumptive water use of an average of 20,000 gallons per day (gpd) or more in any consecutive 30-day period.(ii) With respect to projects previously approved by the Commission for consumptive use, any project that will involve an increase in a consumptive use above that amount which was previously approved.(iii) With respect to projects that existed prior to January 23, 1971, any project that increases its consumptive use by an average of 20,000 gpd or more in any consecutive 30-day period above its pre-compact consumptive use.(iv) Any project, regardless of when initiated, involving a consumptive use of an average of 20,000 gpd or more in any 30-day period, and undergoing a change of ownership, unless such project satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section or the existing Commission approval for such project is transferred pursuant to §806.6.(2) Withdrawals. Any project described below shall require an application to be submitted in accordance with §806.13, and shall be subject to the standards set forth in §806.23. Hydroelectric projects, except to the extent that such projects involve a withdrawal, shall be exempt from the requirements of this section regarding withdrawals; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as exempting hydroelectric projects from review and approval under any other category of project requiring review and approval as set forth in this section, §806.5, or 18 CFR part 801. The taking or removal of water by a public water supplier indirectly through another public water supply system or another water user's facilities shall constitute a withdrawal hereunder.(i) Any project initiated on or after the applicable dates specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iv) below, withdrawing a consecutive 30-day average of 100,000 gpd or more from a groundwater or surface water source, or a combination of such sources.(ii) With respect to projects previously approved by the Commission, any project that increases a withdrawal above that amount which was previously approved and any project that will add a source or increase withdrawals from an existing source which did not require approval prior to January 1, 2007.(iii) Any project which involves a withdrawal from a groundwater or surface water source and which is subject to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section regarding consumptive use.(iv) With respect to groundwater projects in existence prior to July 13, 1978, and surface water projects in existence prior to November 11, 1995, any project that will increase its withdrawal from any source, or initiate a withdrawal from a new source, or combination of sources, by a consecutive 30-day average of 100,000 gpd or more, above that maximum consecutive 30-day amount which the project was withdrawing prior to the said applicable date.(v) Any project, regardless of when initiated, involving a withdrawal of a consecutive 30-day average of 100,000 gpd or more, from either groundwater or surface water sources, or in combination from both, and undergoing a change of ownership, unless such project satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section or the existing Commission approval for such project is transferred pursuant to §806.6.(3) Diversions. Except with respect to agricultural water use projects not subject to the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the projects described in paragraphs (a)(3)(i) through (a)(3)(iv) of this section shall require an application to be submitted in accordance with §806.13, and shall be subject to the standards set forth in §806.24. The project sponsors of out-of-basin diversions shall also comply with all applicable requirements of this part relating to consumptive uses and withdrawals. The projects identified in paragraphs (a)(3)(v) and (a)(3)(vi) of this section shall be subject to regulation pursuant to §806.22(f).(i) Any project initiated on or after January 23, 1971, involving the diversion of water into the basin, or involving a diversion of water out of the basin of an average of 20,000 gallons of water per day or more in any consecutive 30-day period.(ii) With respect to diversions previously approved by the Commission, any project that will increase a diversion above the amount previously approved.(iii) With respect to diversions initiated prior to January 23, 1971, any project that will increase a diversion into the basin by any amount, or increase the diversion of water out of the basin by an average of 20,000 gpd or more in any consecutive 30-day period.(iv) Any project, regardless of when initiated, involving the diversion of water into the basin or involving a diversion of an average of 20,000 gallons of water per day or more in any consecutive 30-day period out of the basin, and undergoing a change of ownership, unless such project satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section or the Commission approval for such project is transferred pursuant to §806.6.(v) The interbasin diversion of any flowback or production fluids from hydrocarbon development projects from one drilling pad site to another drilling pad site for use in hydrofracture stimulation, provided it is handled, transported and stored in compliance with all standards and requirements of the applicable member jurisdiction, shall not be subject to separate review and approval as a diversion under this paragraph if the generating or receiving pad site is subject to an Approval by Rule issued pursuant to §806.22(f) and provided all monitoring and reporting requirements applicable to such approval are met.(vi) The diversion of flowback or production fluids from a hydrocarbon development project for which an Approval by Rule has been issued pursuant to §806.22(f), to an out-of-basin treatment or disposal facility authorized under separate governmental approval to accept flowback or production fluids, shall not be subject to separate review and approval as a diversion under this paragraph, provided all monitoring and reporting requirements applicable to the Approval by Rule are met and it is handled, transported and stored in compliance with all standards and requirements of the applicable member jurisdiction.(4) Any project on or crossing the boundary between two member states.(5) Any project in a member state having a significant effect on water resources in another member state.(6) Any project which has been or is required to be included by the Commission in its comprehensive plan, or will have a significant effect upon the comprehensive plan.(7) Any other project so determined by the commissioners or Executive Director pursuant to §806.5 or 18 CFR part 801. Such project sponsors shall be notified in writing by the Executive Director.(8) Any unconventional natural gas development project in the basin involving a withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use, regardless of the quantity.(b) Any project that did not require Commission approval prior to January 1, 2007, and undergoing a change of ownership, shall be exempt from the requirements of paragraph (a)(1)(iv), (a)(2)(v) or (a)(3)(iv) of this section if it satisfies any of the following categories:(1) A corporate reorganization of the following types:(i) Where property is transferred to a corporation by one or more corporations solely in exchange for stock or securities of the transferee corporation, provided that immediately after the exchange the transferor corporation(s) own 80 percent of the voting stock and 80 percent of all other stock of the transferee corporation.(ii) Where the corporate reorganization is merely a result of a change of the name, identity, internal corporate structure or place of organization and does not affect ownership or control.(2) Transfer of a project to the transferor's spouse or one or more lineal descendents, or any spouse of such lineal descendents, or to a corporation owned or controlled by the transferor, or the transferor's spouse or lineal descendents, or any spouse of such lineal descendents, for so long as the combined ownership interest of the transferor, the transferor's spouse and/or the transferor's lineal descendent(s) and their spouses, continues to be 51 percent or greater.(3) Transfer of land used primarily for the raising of food, fiber or forage crops, trees, flowers, shrubs, turf products, livestock, or poultry, or for aquaculture, to the extent that, and for so long as, the project's water use continues to be for such agricultural water use purposes.(c) Any project that did not require Commission approval prior to January 1, 2007, and not otherwise exempt from the requirements of paragraph (a)(1)(iv), (a)(2)(v), or (a)(3)(iv) pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, may be undertaken by a new project sponsor upon a change of ownership pending action by the Commission on an application submitted by such project sponsor requesting review and approval of the project, provided such application is submitted to the Commission in accordance with this part within 90 days of the date change of ownership occurs and the project features related to the source, withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use of water, or the nature or quantity of water withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use associated with the project do not change pending review of the application. For purposes of this paragraph, changes in the quantity of water withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use shall only relate to increases in quantity in excess of the quantity withdrawn, diverted or consumptively used prior to the change of ownership.
§806.5 Projects that may require review and approval.(a) The following projects, if not otherwise requiring review and approval under §806.4, and provided that the project sponsor is notified in writing by the Executive Director, may be subject to Commission review and approval as determined by the Commission or the Executive Director:(1) Projects that may affect interstate water quality.(2) Projects within a member state that have the potential to affect waters within another member state. This includes, but is not limited to, projects which have the potential to alter the physical, biological, chemical or hydrological characteristics of water resources of interstate streams designated by the Commission under separate resolution.(3) Projects that may have a significant effect upon the comprehensive plan.(4) Projects not included in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section, but which could have an adverse, adverse cumulative, or interstate effect on the water resources of the basin.(b) Determinations by the Executive Director may be appealed to the Commission within 30 days after receipt of notice of such determination as set forth in §808.2. Back to Top
§806.6 Transfer of approvals.(a) An existing Commission project approval may be transferred or conditionally transferred to a new project sponsor upon a change of ownership of the project, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this section, and the new project sponsor may only operate the project in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the existing approval pending approval of the transfer, provided the new project sponsor notifies the Commission within 90 days from the date of the change of ownership, which notice shall be on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Commission and under which the new project sponsor certifies its intention to comply with all terms and conditions of the transferred approval and assume all other associated obligations.(b) An existing Commission project approval for any of the following categories of projects may be conditionally transferred, subject to administrative approval by the Executive Director, upon a change of ownership and the new project sponsor may only operate such project in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the transferred approval:(1) A project undergoing a change of ownership as a result of a corporate reorganization where the project property is transferred to a corporation by one or more corporations solely in exchange for stock or securities of the transferee corporation, provided that immediately after the exchange the transferor corporation(s) own 80 percent of the voting stock and 80 percent of all other stock of the transferee corporation.(2) A project being transferred to the transferor's spouse or one or more lineal descendents, or any spouse of such lineal descendents, or to a corporation owned or controlled by the transferor, or the transferor's spouse or lineal descendents, or any spouse of such lineal descendents, for so long as the combined ownership interest of the transferor, the transferor's spouse and/or the transferor's lineal descendent(s) and their spouses, continues to be 51 percent or greater.(3) A project involving the transfer of land used primarily for the raising of food, fiber or forage crops, trees, flowers, shrubs, turf products, livestock or poultry, or for aquaculture, to the extent that, and for so long as, the project's water use continues to be for such agricultural water use purposes.(4) A project that satisfies all of the following conditions:(i) The existing Commission approval is less than ten (10) years old.(ii) The project has no associated pre-compact consumptive water use.(iii) The project has no associated diversion that was initiated prior to January 23, 1971.(iv) The project has no associated groundwater withdrawal that was initiated prior to July 13, 1978, unless such withdrawal has otherwise been approved by the Commission.(v) The project has no associated surface water withdrawal that was initiated prior to November 11, 1995, unless such withdrawal has otherwise been approved by the Commission.(vi) The project is not the subject of a pending compliance or enforcement matter before the Commission.(vii) The project features related to the source, withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use of water, or the nature or quantity of water withdrawal, diversion or use associated with the project, as identified in the existing Commission approval, have not changed or will not change upon its transfer. For purposes of this paragraph, changes in the quantity of water withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use shall only relate to increases in quantity in excess of the approved quantity. If the project involves both a consumptive water use and an associated withdrawal, then the withdrawal must have been approved by the Commission.(c) An existing Commission approval of a project that satisfies the following conditions may be conditionally transferred and the project sponsor may only operate such project in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the conditionally transferred approval, pending action by the Commission on the application submitted in accordance with paragraph (c)(3) of this section:(1) The project satisfies all of the following conditions:(i) The existing approval is less than ten (10) years old.(ii) The project is not the subject of a pending compliance or enforcement matter before the Commission.(iii) The project features related to the source, withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use of water, or the nature or quantity of water withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use associated with the project, as identified in the existing Commission approval, have not changed or will not change upon its transfer. For purposes of this paragraph, changes in the quantity of water withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use shall only relate to increases in quantity in excess of the approved quantity.(2) The project satisfies one or more of the following conditions:(i) The project has an associated pre-compact consumptive water use.(ii) The project has an associated diversion that was initiated prior to January 23, 1971.(iii) The project has an associated groundwater withdrawal that was initiated prior to July 13, 1978 and that has not been approved by the Commission.(iv) The project has an associated surface water withdrawal that was initiated prior to November 11, 1995 and that has not been approved by the Commission. The project has a consumptive water use approval and has an associated withdrawal that has not been approved by the Commission.(3) The project sponsor submits an application to the Commission, in accordance with this part, within ninety (90) days from the date of the change of ownership, requesting review and approval of the applicable consumptive use, diversion or withdrawals, identified in paragraph (c)(2) above, as a modification to the conditionally transferred approval.(d) An existing Commission project approval for any project not satisfying the requirements of paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section may be conditionally transferred and the project sponsor may only operate such project in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the conditionally transferred approval, pending action by the Commission on an application the project sponsor shall submit to the Commission, provided that:(1) The new project sponsor submits an application to the Commission, in accordance with this part, within ninety (90) days from the date of the change of ownership, requesting review and approval of the project; and(2) The project features related to the source, withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use of water, or the nature or quantity of water withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use associated with the project do not change pending review of the application. For purposes of this paragraph, changes in the quantity of water withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use shall only relate to increases in quantity in excess of the quantity withdrawn, diverted or consumptively used prior to the change of ownership.(e) An existing Commission project approval may be re-issued by the Executive Director at the request of a project sponsor undergoing a change of name, provided such change does not affect ownership or control of the project or project sponsor. The project sponsor may only continue to operate the project under the terms and conditions of the existing approval pending approval of its request for re-issuance, provided it submits its request to the Commission within 90 days from the date of the change, which notice shall be on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Commission, accompanied by the appropriate fee established therefore by the Commission.
[71 FR 78579, Dec. 29, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 1273, Jan. 8, 2008; 75 FR 60620, Oct. 1, 2010]
§806.7 Concurrent project review by member jurisdictions.(a) The Commission recognizes that agencies of the member jurisdictions will exercise their review and approval authority and evaluate many proposed projects in the basin. The Commission will adopt procedures to assure compatibility between jurisdictional review and Commission review.(b) To avoid duplication of work and to cooperate with other government agencies, the Commission may develop administrative agreements or other cooperative arrangements, in accordance with the procedures outlined in this part, with appropriate agencies of the member jurisdictions regarding joint review of projects. These agreements or arrangements may provide for joint efforts by staff, delegation of authority by an agency or the Commission, or any other matter to support cooperative review activities. Permits issued by a member jurisdiction agency shall be considered Commission approved if issued pursuant to an administrative agreement or other cooperative arrangement with the Commission specifically providing therefor.
§806.8 Waiver/modification.The Commission may, in its discretion, waive or modify any of the requirements of this or any other part of its regulations if the essential purposes set forth in §806.2 continue to be served. Back to Top
§806.10 Purpose of this subpart.The purpose of this subpart is to set forth procedures governing applications required by §§806.4, 806.5, 806.6 and 18 CFR part 801. Back to Top
§806.11 Preliminary consultations.(a) Any project sponsor of a project that is or may be subject to the Commission's jurisdiction is encouraged, prior to making application for Commission review, to request a preliminary consultation with the Commission staff for an informal discussion of preliminary plans for the proposed project. To facilitate preliminary consultations, it is suggested that the project sponsor provide a general description of the proposed project, a map showing its location and, to the extent available, data concerning dimensions of any proposed structures, anticipated water needs, and the environmental impacts.(b) Preliminary consultation is optional for the project sponsor (except with respect to aquifer test plans, see §806.12 but shall not relieve the sponsor from complying with the requirements of the compact or with this part. Back to Top
§806.12 Constant-rate aquifer testing.(a) Prior to submission of an application pursuant to §806.13, a project sponsor seeking approval to withdraw or increase a withdrawal of groundwater shall perform a constant-rate aquifer test in accordance with this section.(b) The project sponsor shall prepare a constant-rate aquifer test plan for prior review and approval by Commission staff before testing is undertaken. Such plan shall include a groundwater availability analysis to determine the availability of water during a 1-in-10-year recurrence interval.(c) Unless otherwise specified, approval of a test plan is valid for two years from the date of approval.(d) Approval of a test plan shall not be construed to limit the authority of the Commission to require additional testing or monitoring.(e) The project sponsor may be required, at its expense, to provide temporary water supply if an aquifer test results in interference with an existing water use. Back to Top
§806.13 Submission of application.Sponsors of projects subject to review and approval of the Commission under §§806.4, 806.5 or 806.6, or project sponsors seeking renewal of an existing approval of the Commission, shall submit an application and applicable fee to the Commission, in accordance with this subpart.
§806.14 Contents of application.(a) Except with respect to applications to renew an existing Commission approval, applications shall include, but not be limited to, the following information and, where applicable, shall be submitted on forms and in the manner prescribed by the Commission. Renewal applications shall include such information that the Commission determines to be necessary for the review of same, shall be subject to the standards set forth in Subpart C—Standards for Review and Approval of this part, and shall likewise be submitted on forms and in the manner prescribed by the Commission.(1) Identification of project sponsor including any and all proprietors, corporate officers or partners, the mailing address of the same, and the name of the individual authorized to act for the sponsor.(2) Description of project and site in terms of:(i) Project location, including global positioning system (gps) coordinates accurate to within 10 meters.(ii) Project purpose.(iii) Proposed quantity of water to be withdrawn.(iv) Proposed quantity of water to be consumed, if applicable. (v) Constant-rate aquifer tests. The project sponsor shall provide the results of a constant-rate aquifer test with any application which includes a request for a groundwater withdrawal. The project sponsor shall obtain Commission approval of the test procedures prior to initiation of the constant-rate aquifer test.(vi) Water use and availability.(vii) All water sources and the date of initiation of each source.(viii) Supporting studies, reports, and other information upon which assumptions and assertions have been based.(ix) Plans for avoiding or mitigating for consumptive use.(x) Copies of any correspondence with member jurisdiction agencies.(xi) Evidence of compliance with applicable water registration requirements of the member jurisdiction in which the project is located.(3) Anticipated impact of the proposed project on:(i) Surface water characteristics (quality, quantity, flow regimen, other hydrologic characteristics).(ii) Threatened or endangered species and their habitats.(iii) Existing water withdrawals.(4) Project estimated completion date and estimated construction schedule.(b) The Commission may also require the project sponsor to submit the following information related to the project, in addition to the information required in paragraph (a) of this section, as deemed necessary.(1) Description of project and site in terms of:(i) Engineering feasibility.(ii) Ability of project sponsor to fund the project or action.(iii) Identification and description of reasonable alternatives, the extent of their economic and technical investigation, and an assessment of their potential environmental impact. In the case of a proposed diversion, the project sponsor should include information that may be required by §806.25 or any policy of the Commission relating to diversions.(iv) Compatibility of proposed project with existing and anticipated uses.(v) Anticipated impact of the proposed project on:(A) Flood damage potential considering the location of the project with respect to the flood plain and flood hazard zones.(B) Recreation potential.(C) Fish and wildlife (habitat quality, kind and number of species).(D) Natural environment uses (scenic vistas, natural and manmade travel corridors, wild and wilderness areas, wild, scenic and recreation rivers).(E) Site development considerations (geology, topography, soil characteristics, adjoining and nearby land uses, adequacy of site facilities).(F) Historical, cultural and archaeological impacts.(2) Governmental considerations:(i) Need for governmental services or finances.(ii) Commitment of government to provide services or finances.(iii) Status of application with other governmental regulatory bodies.(3) Any other information deemed necessary by the Commission.(c) A report about the project prepared for any other purpose, or an application for approval prepared for submission to a member jurisdiction, may be accepted by the Commission provided the said report or application addresses all necessary items on the Commission's form or listed in this section, as appropriate.
[71 FR 78579, Dec. 29, 2006, as amended at 77 FR 8099, Feb. 14, 2012]
§806.15 Notice of application.(a) Any project sponsor submitting an application to the Commission shall provide notice thereof to the appropriate agency of the member State, each municipality in which the project is located, and the county planning agency of each county in which the project is located. The project sponsor shall also publish notice of submission of the application at least once in a newspaper of general circulation serving the area in which the project is located. The project sponsor shall also meet any of the notice requirements set forth in paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section, if applicable. All notices required under this section shall be provided or published no later than 10 days after submission of the application to the Commission and shall contain a description of the project, its purpose, the requested quantity of water to be withdrawn obtained from for sources other than withdrawals or consumptively used, and the address, electronic mail address, and phone number of the project sponsor and the Commission. All such notices shall be in a form and manner as prescribed by the Commission.(b) For withdrawal applications submitted pursuant to §806.4(a)(2), the project sponsor shall also provide the notice required under paragraph (a) of this section to each property owner listed on the tax assessment rolls of the county in which such property is located and identified as follows:(1) For groundwater withdrawal applications, the owner of any property that is located within a one-half mile radius of the proposed withdrawal location.(2) For surface water withdrawal applications, the owner of any property that is riparian or littoral to the body of water from which the proposed withdrawal will be taken and is within a one-half mile radius of the proposed withdrawal location.(c) For projects involving a diversion of water out of the basin, the project sponsor shall also publish a notice of the submission of its application at least once in a newspaper of general circulation serving the area outside the basin where the project proposing to use the diverted water is located. For projects involving a diversion of water into the basin, the project sponsor shall also publish a notice of the submission of its application at least once in a newspaper of general circulation serving the area outside the basin where the withdrawal of water proposed for diversion is located.(d) For applications submitted under §806.22(f)(13) for a public water supply source, the newspaper notice requirement contained in paragraph (a) of this section shall be satisfied by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area served by the public water supply.(e) For applications submitted under §806.22(f)(13) for a wastewater discharge source, the newspaper notice requirement contained in paragraph (a) of this section shall be satisfied by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in each area within which the water obtained from such source will initially be used for hydrocarbon development.(f) For applications submitted under §806.22(f)(14) for a hydrocarbon water storage facility, the newspaper notice requirement contained in paragraph (a) of this section shall be satisfied by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which the facility is located.(g) The project sponsor shall provide the Commission with a copy of the United States Postal Service return receipt for the notifications to agencies of member States, municipalities and county planning agencies required under paragraph (a) of this section. The project sponsor shall also provide certification on a form provided by the Commission that it has published the newspaper notice(s) required by this section and made the landowner notifications as required under paragraph (b) of this section, if applicable. Until these items are provided to the Commission, processing of the application will not proceed. The project sponsor shall maintain all proofs of notice required hereunder for the duration of the approval related to such notices.
[75 FR 60620, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 8099, Feb. 14, 2012; 79 FR 75430, Dec. 18, 2014]
§806.16 Completeness of application.(a) The Commission's staff shall review the application, and if necessary, request the project sponsor to provide any additional information that is deemed pertinent for proper evaluation of the project.(b) An application deemed administratively incomplete will be returned to the project sponsor, who shall have 30 days to cure the administrative deficiencies. An application deemed technically deficient may be returned to the project sponsor, who shall have a period of time prescribed by Commission staff to cure the technical deficiencies. Failure to cure either administrative or technical deficiencies within the prescribed time may result in termination of the application process and forfeiture of any fees submitted.(c) The project sponsor has a duty to provide information reasonably necessary for the Commission's review of the application. If the project sponsor fails to respond to the Commission's request for additional information, the Commission may terminate the application process, close the file and so notify the project sponsor. The project sponsor may reapply without prejudice by submitting a new application and fee. Back to Top
§806.20 Purpose of this subpart.The purpose of this subpart is to set forth general standards that shall be used by the Commission to evaluate all projects subject to review and approval by the Commission pursuant to §§806.4, 806.5 and 806.6, and to establish special standards applicable to certain water withdrawals, consumptive uses and diversions. This subpart shall not be construed to limit the Commission's authority and scope of review. These standards are authorized under Sections 3.4(2), 3.4(8), 3.4(9), and 3.10 of the compact and are based upon, but not limited to, the goals, objectives, guidelines and criteria of the comprehensive plan. Back to Top
§806.21 General standards.(a) A project shall not be detrimental to the proper conservation, development, management, or control of the water resources of the basin.(b) The Commission may modify and approve as modified, or may disapprove, a project if it determines that the project is not in the best interest of the conservation, development, management, or control of the basin's water resources, or is in conflict with the comprehensive plan.(c) Disapprovals—other governmental jurisdictions. (1) The Commission may suspend the review of any application under this part if the project is subject to the lawful jurisdiction of any member jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof, and such member jurisdiction or political subdivision has disapproved or denied the project. Where such disapproval or denial is reversed on appeal, the appeal is final, and the project sponsor provides the Commission with a certified copy of the decision, the Commission shall resume its review of the application. Where, however, an application has been suspended hereunder for a period greater than three years, the Commission may terminate its review. Thereupon, the Commission shall notify the project sponsor of such termination and that the application fee paid by the project sponsor is forfeited. The project sponsor may reactivate the terminated docket by reapplying to the Commission, providing evidence of its receipt of all necessary governmental approvals and, at the discretion of the Commission, submitting new or updated information.(2) The Commission may modify, suspend or revoke a previously granted approval if the project sponsor fails to obtain or maintain the approval of a member jurisdiction or political subdivision thereof having lawful jurisdiction over the project. Back to Top
§806.22 Standards for consumptive uses of water.(a) The project sponsors of all consumptive water uses subject to review and approval under §806.4, §806.5 or §806.6 of this part shall comply with this section.(b) Mitigation. All project sponsors whose consumptive use of water is subject to review and approval under §806.4, §806.5 or §806.6 of this part shall mitigate such consumptive use. Except to the extent that the project involves the diversion of the waters out of the basin, public water supplies shall be exempt from the requirements of this section regarding consumptive use; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt individual consumptive users connected to any such public water supply from the requirements of this section. Mitigation may be provided by one, or a combination of the following:(1) During low flow periods as may be designated by the Commission for consumptive use mitigation.(i) Reduce withdrawal from the approved source(s), in an amount equal to the project's total consumptive use, and withdraw water from alternative surface water storage or aquifers or other underground storage chambers or facilities approved by the Commission, from which water can be withdrawn for a period of 90 days without impact to surface water flows.(ii) Release water for flow augmentation, in an amount equal to the project's total consumptive use, from surface water storage or aquifers, or other underground storage chambers or facilities approved by the Commission, from which water can be withdrawn for a period of 90 days without impact to surface water flows.(iii) Discontinue the project's consumptive use, except that reduction of project sponsor's consumptive use to less than 20,000 gpd during periods of low flow shall not constitute discontinuance.(2) Use, as a source of consumptive use water, surface storage that is subject to maintenance of a conservation release acceptable to the Commission. In any case of failure to provide the specified conservation release, such project shall provide mitigation in accordance with paragraph (3), below, for the calendar year in which such failure occurs, and the Commission will reevaluate the continued acceptability of the conservation release.(3) Provide monetary payment to the Commission, for annual consumptive use, in an amount and manner prescribed by the Commission.(4) Implement other alternatives approved by the Commission.(c) Determination of manner of mitigation. The Commission will, in its sole discretion, determine the acceptable manner of mitigation to be provided by project sponsors whose consumptive use of water is subject to review and approval. Such a determination will be made after considering the project's location, source characteristics, anticipated amount of consumptive use, proposed method of mitigation and their effects on the purposes set forth in §806.2 of this part, and any other pertinent factors. The Commission may modify, as appropriate, the manner of mitigation, including the magnitude and timing of any mitigating releases, required in a project approval.(d) Quality of water released for mitigation. The physical, chemical and biological quality of water released for mitigation shall at all times meet the quality required for the purposes listed in §806.2, as applicable.(e) Approval by rule for consumptive uses. (1) Except with respect to projects involving hydrocarbon development subject to the provisions of paragraph (f) of this section, any project whose sole source of water for consumptive use is a public water supply, may be approved by the Executive Director under this paragraph (e) in accordance with the following, unless the Executive Director determines that the project cannot be adequately regulated under this approval by rule.(2) Metering, daily use monitoring and quarterly reporting. The project sponsor shall comply with metering, daily use monitoring and quarterly reporting as specified in §806.30.(3) Standard conditions. The standard conditions set forth in §806.21 above shall apply to projects approved by rule.(4) Mitigation. The project sponsor shall comply with mitigation in accordance with §806.22 (b)(2) or (b)(3).(5) Compliance with other laws. The project sponsor shall obtain all necessary permits or approvals required for the project from other federal, state or local government agencies having jurisdiction over the project. The Commission reserves the right to modify, suspend or revoke any approval under this paragraph (e) if the project sponsor fails to obtain or maintain such approvals.(6) The Executive Director may grant, deny, suspend, rescind, modify or condition an approval to operate under this approval by rule, or renew an existing approval by rule previously granted hereunder, and will notify the project sponsor of such determination, including the quantity of consumptive use approved.(7) Approval by rule shall be effective upon issuance by the Executive Director to the project sponsor, shall expire 15 years from the date of such issuance, and supersede any previous consumptive use approvals to the extent applicable to the project.(f) Approval by rule for consumptive use related to unconventional natural gas and other hydrocarbon development projects. (1) Any unconventional natural gas development project subject to review and approval under §806.4(a)(8), or any other hydrocarbon development project subject to review and approval under §806.4, §806.5, or §806.6, shall be subject to review and approval by the Executive Director under this paragraph (f) regardless of the source or sources of water being used consumptively.(2) Notification of Intent: Prior to undertaking a project or increasing a previously approved quantity of consumptive use, the project sponsor shall submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) on forms prescribed by the Commission, and the appropriate application fee, along with any required attachments.(3) Within 10 days after submittal of an NOI under paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the project sponsor shall satisfy the notice requirements set forth in §806.15.(4) The project sponsor shall comply with metering, daily use monitoring and quarterly reporting as specified in §806.30, or as otherwise required by the approval by rule. Daily use monitoring shall include amounts delivered or withdrawn per source, per day, and amounts used per oil or gas well or drilling pad site, per day, for well drilling, hydrofracture stimulation, hydrostatic testing, and other project-related activity. The foregoing shall apply to all water, including stimulation additives, flowback, drilling fluids, formation fluids and production fluids, utilized by the project. The project sponsor shall also submit a post-hydrofracture report in a form and manner as prescribed by the Commission.(5) The project sponsor shall comply with the mitigation requirements set forth in §806.22(b).(6) Any flowback or production fluids utilized by the project sponsor for hydrofracture stimulation undertaken at the project shall be separately accounted for, but shall not be included in the daily consumptive use amount calculated for the project, or be subject to the mitigation requirements of §806.22(b).(7) The project sponsor shall obtain all necessary permits or approvals required for the project from other federal, state, or local government agencies having jurisdiction over the project. The Executive Director reserves the right to modify, suspend or revoke any approval under this paragraph (f) if the project sponsor fails to obtain or maintain such approvals.(8) The project sponsor shall certify to the Commission that all flowback and production fluids have been re-used or treated and disposed of in accordance with applicable state and federal law.(9) The Executive Director may grant, deny, suspend, rescind, modify or condition an approval to operate under this approval by rule, or renew an existing approval by rule granted hereunder, and will notify the project sponsor of such determination, including the sources and quantity of consumptive use approved. The issuance of any approval hereunder shall not be construed to waive or exempt the project sponsor from obtaining Commission approval for any water withdrawals or diversions subject to review pursuant to §806.4(a). Any sources of water approved pursuant to this section shall be further subject to any approval or authorization required by the member jurisdiction.(10) Approval by rule shall be effective upon issuance by the Executive Director to the project sponsor, shall expire five years from the date of such issuance, and supersede any previous consumptive use approvals to the extent applicable to the project.(11) In addition to water sources approved for use by the project sponsor pursuant to §806.4 or this section, a project sponsor issued an approval by rule pursuant to paragraph (f)(9) of this section may utilize any of the following water sources at the drilling pad site, subject to such monitoring and reporting requirements as the Commission may prescribe:(i) Tophole water encountered during the drilling process, provided it is used only for drilling or hydrofracture stimulation.(ii) Precipitation or stormwater collected on the drilling pad site, provided it is used only for drilling or hydrofracture stimulation.(iii) Drilling fluids, formation fluids, flowback or production fluids obtained from a drilling pad site, production well site or hydrocarbon water storage facility, provided it is used only for hydrofracture stimulation, and is handled, transported and stored in compliance with all standards and requirements of the applicable member jurisdiction.(iv) Water obtained from a hydrocarbon water storage facility associated with an approval issued by the Commission pursuant to §806.4(a) or by the Executive Director pursuant to this section, provided it is used only for the purposes authorized therein, and in compliance with all standards and requirements of the applicable member jurisdiction.(12) A project sponsor issued an approval by rule pursuant to paragraph (f)(9) of this section may utilize a source of water approved by the Commission pursuant to §806.4(a), or by the Executive Director pursuant to paragraph (f)(14) of this section, and issued to persons other than the project sponsor, provided any such source is approved for use in hydrocarbon development, the project sponsor has an agreement for its use, and at least 10 days prior to use, the project sponsor registers such source with the Commission on a form and in the manner prescribed by the Commission.(13) A project sponsor issued an approval by rule pursuant to paragraph (f)(9) of this section may also utilize other sources of water, including but not limited to, public water supply or wastewater discharge not otherwise associated with an approval issued by the Commission pursuant to §806.4(a) or an approval by rule issued pursuant to paragraph (f)(9) of this section, provided such sources are first approved by the Executive Director. Any request for approval shall be submitted on a form and in the manner prescribed by the Commission, shall satisfy the notice requirements set forth in §806.15, and shall be subject to review pursuant to the standards set forth in subpart C of this part.(14) A project sponsor issued an approval by rule pursuant to paragraph (f)(9) of this section may utilize water obtained from a hydrocarbon water storage facility that is not otherwise associated with an approval issued by the Commission pursuant to §806.4(a), or an approval by rule issued pursuant to paragraph (f)(9) of this section, provided such sources are first approved by the Executive Director and are constructed and maintained in compliance with all standards and requirements of the applicable member jurisdiction. The owner or operator of any such facility shall submit a request for approval on a form and in the manner prescribed by the Commission, shall satisfy the notice requirements set forth in §806.15, and shall be subject to review pursuant to the standards set forth in subpart C of this part.(15) The project sponsor shall provide a copy of any registration or source approval issued pursuant to this section to the appropriate agency of the applicable member jurisdiction. The project sponsor shall record on a daily basis, and report quarterly on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Commission, the quantity of water obtained from any source registered or approved hereunder. Any source approval issued hereunder shall also be subject to such monitoring and reporting requirements as may be contained in such approval or otherwise required by this part.
§806.23 Standards for water withdrawals.(a) The project sponsors of all withdrawals subject to review and approval under §806.4, §806.5 or §806.6 of this part shall comply with the following standards, in addition to those required pursuant to §806.21.(b) Limitations on withdrawals. (1) The Commission may limit withdrawals to the amount (quantity and rate) of water that is needed to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of the project sponsor.(2) The Commission may deny an application, limit or condition an approval to ensure that the withdrawal will not cause significant adverse impacts to the water resources of the basin. The Commission may consider, without limitation, the following in its consideration of adverse impacts: Lowering of groundwater or stream flow levels; rendering competing supplies unreliable; affecting other water uses; causing water quality degradation that may be injurious to any existing or potential water use; affecting fish, wildlife or other living resources or their habitat; causing permanent loss of aquifer storage capacity; or affecting low flow of perennial or intermittent streams.(3) The Commission may impose limitations or conditions to mitigate impacts, including without limitation:(i) Limit the quantity, timing or rate of withdrawal or level of drawdown.(ii) Require the project sponsor to provide, at its own expense, an alternate water supply or other mitigating measures.(iii) Require the project sponsor to implement and properly maintain special monitoring measures.(iv) Require the project sponsor to implement and properly maintain stream flow protection measures.(v) Require the project sponsor to develop and implement an operations plan acceptable to the Commission.(4) The Commission may require the project sponsor to undertake the following, to ensure its ability to meet its present or reasonably foreseeable water needs from available groundwater or surface water without limitation:(i) Investigate additional sources or storage options to meet the demand of the project.(ii) Submit a water resource development plan that shall include, without limitation, sufficient data to address any supply deficiencies, identify alternative water supply options, and support existing and proposed future withdrawals. Back to Top
§806.24 Standards for diversions.(a) The project sponsors of all diversions subject to review and approval under §806.4, §806.5 or §806.6 of this part shall comply with the following standards.(b) For projects involving out-of-basin diversions, the following requirements shall apply.(1) Project sponsors shall:(i) Demonstrate that they have made good faith efforts to develop and conserve sources of water within the importing basin, and have considered other reasonable alternatives to the diversion.(ii) Comply with the general standards set forth in §§801.3, 806.21, and 806.22, and the applicable requirements of this part relating to consumptive uses and withdrawals.(2) In deciding whether to approve a proposed diversion out of the basin, the Commission shall also consider and the project sponsor shall provide information related to the following factors:(i) Any adverse effects and cumulative adverse effects the project may have on the ability of the Susquehanna River Basin, or any portion thereof, to meet its own present and future water needs.(ii) The location, amount, timing, purpose and duration of the proposed diversion and how the project will individually and cumulatively affect the flow of any impacted stream or river, and the freshwater inflow of the Chesapeake Bay, including the extent to which any diverted water is being returned to the basin or the bay.(iii) Whether there is a reasonably foreseeable need for the quantity of water requested by the project sponsor and how that need is measured against reasonably foreseeable needs in the Susquehanna River Basin.(iv) The amount and location of water being diverted to the Susquehanna River Basin from the importing basin.(v) The proximity of the project to the Susquehanna River Basin.(vi) The project sponsor's pre-compact member jurisdiction approvals to withdraw or divert the waters of the basin.(vii) Historic reliance on sources within the Susquehanna River Basin.(3) In deciding whether to approve a proposed diversion out of the basin, the Commission may also consider, but is not limited to, the factors set forth in paragraphs (i) through (v) of this paragraph (b)(3). The decision whether to consider the factors in this paragraph (b) and the amount of information required for such consideration, if undertaken, will depend upon the potential for the proposed diversion to have an adverse impact on the ability of the Susquehanna River Basin, or any portion thereof, to meet its own present and future needs.(i) The impact of the diversion on economic development within the Susquehanna River Basin, the member states or the United States of America.(ii) The cost and reliability of the diversion versus other alternatives, including certain external costs, such as impacts on the environment or water resources.(iii) Any policy of the member jurisdictions relating to water resources, growth and development.(iv) How the project will individually and cumulatively affect other environmental, social and recreational values.(v) Any land use and natural resource planning being carried out in the importing basin.(c) For projects involving into-basin diversions, the following requirements shall apply.(1) Project sponsors shall:(i) Provide information on the source, amount, and location of the water being diverted to the Susquehanna River Basin from the importing basin.(ii) Provide information on the water quality classification, if any, of the Susquehanna River Basin stream to which diverted water is being discharged and the discharge location or locations.(iii) Demonstrate that they have applied for or received all applicable withdrawal or discharge permits or approvals related to the diversion, and demonstrate that the diversion will not result in water quality degradation that may be injurious to any existing or potential ground or surface water use. (2) In deciding whether to approve a proposed diversion into the basin, the Commission shall also consider and the project sponsor shall provide information related to the following factors:(i) Any adverse effects and cumulative adverse effects the project may have on the Susquehanna River Basin, or any portion thereof, as a result of the introduction or potential introduction of invasive or exotic species that may be injurious to the water resources of the basin.(ii) The extent to which the proposed diversion satisfies all other applicable general and specific standards set forth in subpart C of this part pertaining to withdrawals and consumptive use.
§806.25 Water conservation standards.Any project sponsor whose project is subject to Commission approval under this part proposing to withdraw water either directly or indirectly (through another user) from groundwater or surface water sources, or both, shall comply with the following requirements:(a) Public water supply. As circumstances warrant, a project sponsor of a public water supply shall:(1) Reduce distribution system losses to a level not exceeding 20 percent of the gross withdrawal.(2) Install meters for all users.(3) Establish a program of water conservation that will:(i) Require installation of water conservation devices, as applicable, by all classes of users.(ii) Prepare and distribute literature to customers describing available water conservation techniques.(iii) Implement a water pricing structure which encourages conservation.(iv) Encourage water reuse.(b) Industrial. Project sponsors who use water for industrial purposes shall: (1) Designate a company representative to manage plant water use.(2) Install meters or other suitable devices or utilize acceptable flow measuring methods for accurate determination of water use by various parts of the company operation.(3) Install flow control devices which match the needs of the equipment being used for production.(4) Evaluate and utilize applicable recirculation and reuse practices.(c) Irrigation. Project sponsors who use water for irrigation purposes shall utilize irrigation systems properly designed for the sponsor's respective soil characteristics, topography and vegetation.(d) Effective date. Notwithstanding the effective date for other portions of this part, this section shall apply to all groundwater and surface water withdrawals initiated on or after January 11, 1979. Back to Top
§806.30 Monitoring.The Commission, as part of the project review, shall evaluate the proposed methodology for monitoring consumptive uses, water withdrawals and mitigating flows, including flow metering devices, stream gages, and other facilities used to measure the withdrawals or consumptive use of the project or the rate of stream flow. If the Commission determines that additional flow measuring, metering or monitoring devices are required, these shall be provided at the expense of the project sponsor, installed in accordance with a schedule set by the Commission, be accurate to within 5 percent, and shall be subject to inspection by the Commission at any time.(a) Project sponsors of projects that are approved under this part shall:(1) Measure and record on a daily basis, or such other frequency as may be approved by the Commission, the quantity of all withdrawals, using meters or other methods approved by the Commission.(2) Certify, at the time of installation and no less frequently than once every 5 years, the accuracy of all measuring devices and methods to within 5 percent of actual flow, unless specified otherwise by the Commission.(3) Maintain metering or other approved methods so as to provide a continuous, accurate record of the withdrawal or consumptive use.(4) Measure groundwater levels in all approved production wells, as specified by the Commission.(5) Measure groundwater levels at additional monitoring locations, as specified by the Commission.(6) Measure water levels in surface storage facilities, as specified by the Commission.(7) Measure stream flows, passby flows or conservation releases, as specified by the Commission, using methods and at frequencies approved by the Commission.(b) Reporting. (1) Project sponsors whose projects are approved under this section shall report to the Commission on a quarterly basis on forms and in a manner prescribed by the Commission all information recorded under paragraph (a) of this section, unless otherwise specified by the Commission.(2) Project sponsors whose projects are approved under this section shall report to the Commission:(i) Violations of withdrawal limits and any conditions of approvals, within 5 days of such violation.(ii) Loss of measuring or recording capabilities required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, within 5 days after any such loss. Back to Top
§806.31 Term of approvals.(a) Approvals issued under this part shall have a term equal to the term of any accompanying member jurisdiction approval regulating the same subject matter, but not longer than 15 years, unless an alternate period is provided for in the Commission approval. If there is no such accompanying member jurisdiction approval, or if no term is specified in such accompanying member jurisdiction approval, the term of a Commission approval issued under this part shall be no longer than 15 years or the anticipated life of the project, whichever is less, unless an alternate period is provided for in the Commission approval.(b) Commission approval of a project shall expire three years from the date of such approval if the withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use has not been commenced, unless an alternate period is provided for in the docket approval or such 3-year period is extended in writing by the Commission upon written request from the project sponsor submitted no later than 120 days prior to such expiration. The Commission may grant an extension, for a period not to exceed two years, only upon a determination that the delay is due to circumstances beyond the project sponsor's control and that there is a likelihood of project implementation within a reasonable period of time. The Commission may also attach conditions to the granting of such extensions, including modification of any terms of approval that the Commission may deem appropriate.(c) If a withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use approved by the Commission for a project is discontinued for a period of five consecutive years, the approval shall be null and void, unless a waiver is granted in writing by the Commission, upon written request by the project sponsor demonstrating due cause and with notification thereof to the member jurisdiction in which the project is located, prior to the expiration of such period.(d) If the Commission determines that a project has been abandoned, by evidence of nonuse for a period of time and under such circumstances that an abandonment may be inferred, the Commission may rescind the approval for such withdrawal, diversion or consumptive use.(e) If a project sponsor submits an application to the Commission no later than six months prior to the expiration of its existing Commission approval, the existing approval will be deemed extended until such time as the Commission renders a decision on the application, unless the existing approval or a notification in writing from the Commission provide otherwise. Back to Top
§806.32 Reopening/modification.(a) Once a project is approved, the Commission, upon its own motion, or upon petition of the project sponsor or any interested party, may at any time reopen any project approval and make additional orders or otherwise modify or impose such additional conditions that may be necessary to mitigate or avoid adverse impacts or to otherwise protect the public health, safety, and welfare or water resources. Whenever a petition for reopening is filed by an interested party, the burden shall be upon that interested party to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a significant adverse impact or a threat to the public health, safety and welfare or water resources exists that warrants reopening of the docket. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any petition filed by a party who previously sought the same or functionally equivalent relief identified in the petition pursuant to the administrative appeals process under §808.2 will not be eligible for consideration by the Commission absent new facts not known or readily discernable at the time of consideration of the petitioner's previous request for administrative appeal filed pursuant to §808.2.(b) If the project sponsor fails to comply with any term or condition of a Commission approval, the Commission may issue an order suspending, modifying or revoking its approval of the project. The Commission may also, in its discretion, suspend, modify or revoke its approval if the project sponsor fails to obtain or maintain other federal, state or local approvals.(c) For any previously approved project where interference occurs, the Commission may require a project sponsor to provide a temporary source of potable water at the project sponsor's expense, pending a final determination of causation by the Commission.(d) The Commission, upon its own motion, may at any time reopen any project approval and make additional corrective modifications that may be necessary.
§806.33 Interest on fees.The Executive Director may establish interest to be paid on all overdue or outstanding fees of any nature that are payable to the Commission. Back to Top
§806.34 Emergencies.(a) Emergency certificates. The other requirements of these regulations notwithstanding, in the event of an emergency requiring immediate action to protect the public health, safety and welfare or to avoid substantial and irreparable injury to any person, property, or water resources when circumstances do not permit a review and determination in the regular course of the regulations in this part, the Executive Director, with the concurrence of the chairperson of the Commission and the commissioner from the affected member state, may issue an emergency certificate authorizing a project sponsor to take such action as the Executive Director may deem necessary and proper in the circumstances, pending review and determination by the Commission as otherwise required by this part. In the exercise of such authority, consideration should be given to actions deemed necessary to sustain human life, health and safety, or that of livestock or food, fiber or forage crops, the maintenance of electric system reliability to serve such needs, to avoid significant disruption of employment, or any other such priorities that the Commission may establish from time to time utilizing its authority under Section 11.4 of the Compact related to drought emergencies.(b) Notification and application. A project sponsor shall notify the Commission, prior to commencement of the project, that an emergency certificate is needed. In the case of a project operating under an existing Commission approval seeking emergency approval to modify, waive or partially waive one or more conditions of such approval, notice shall be provided to the Commission prior to initiating the operational changes associated with the request. If immediate action, as defined by this section, is required by a project sponsor and prior notice to the Commission is not possible, then the project sponsor must contact the Commission within one (1) business day of the action. Notification may be by certified mail, facsimile, telegram, mailgram, electronic mail or other form of written communication. This notification must be followed within one (1) business day by submission of the following:(1) A completed emergency application form or copy of the State or Federal emergency water use application if the project sponsor also is requesting emergency approval from either a state or federal agency.(2) At a minimum, the application shall contain:(i) Contact information.(ii) Justification for emergency action (purpose).(iii) Location map and schematic of proposed project, or in the case of a project operating under an existing Commission approval, the project approval reference and a description of the operational changes requested.(iv) Desired term of emergency use.(v) Source(s) of the water.(vi) Quantity of water.(vii) Flow measurement system (such as metering).(viii) Use restrictions in effect (or planned).(ix) Description of potential adverse impacts and mitigating measures.(x) Appropriate fee, unless reduced, waived or delayed with the approval of the Executive Director.(c) Emergency certificate issuance. The Executive Director shall:(1) Review and act on the emergency request as expeditiously as possible upon receipt of all necessary information stipulated in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.(2) With the concurrence of the chairperson of the Commission and the commissioner from the affected member state, issue an emergency certificate for a term not to extend beyond the next regular business meeting of the Commission.(3) Include conditions in the emergency certificate which may include, without limitation, monitoring of withdrawal and/or consumptive use amounts, measurement devices, public notification, and reporting, to assure minimal adverse impacts to the environment and other users.(d) Post approval. Actions following issuance of emergency certificates may include, but are not limited to, the following:(1) The Commission may, by resolution, extend the term of the emergency certificate, upon presentation of a request from the project sponsor accompanied by appropriate evidence that the conditions causing the emergency persist.(2) If the condition is expected to persist longer than the specified extended term, the project sponsor must submit an application to the Commission for applicable water withdrawal or consumptive use, or the emergency certificate will terminate as specified. If the project sponsor has a prior Commission approval for the project, the project sponsor must submit an application to modify the existing docket accordingly.(e) Early termination. With the concurrence of the chairperson of the Commission and the commissioner from the affected member state, the Executive Director may terminate an emergency certificate earlier than the specified duration if it is determined that an emergency no longer exists and/or the certificate holder has not complied with one or more special conditions for the emergency withdrawal or consumptive water use.(f) Restoration or mitigation. Project sponsors are responsible for any necessary restoration or mitigation of environmental damage or interference with another user that may occur as a result of the emergency action.
§806.35 Fees.Project sponsors shall have an affirmative duty to pay such fees as established by the Commission to cover its costs of administering the regulatory program established by this part, including any extraordinary costs associated with specific projects.