reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MS Code § 51-3-1 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-1. Declaration of policy on conservation of water resources

 It is hereby declared that the general welfare of the people of the State of Mississippi requires that the water resources of the state be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which they are capable, that the waste or unreasonable use, or unreasonable method of use, of water be prevented, that the conservation of such water be exercised with the view to the reasonable and beneficial use thereof in the interest of the people, and that the public and private funds for the promotion and expansion of the beneficial use of water resources shall be invested to the end that the best interests and welfare of the people are served.   It is the policy of the Legislature that conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water shall be encouraged for the reasonable and beneficial use of all water resources of the state. The policies, regulations and public laws of the State of Mississippi shall be interpreted and administered so that, to the fullest extent possible, the ground and surface water resources within the state shall be integrated in their use, storage, allocation and management.   All water, whether occurring on the surface of the ground or underneath the surface of the ground, is hereby declared to be among the basic resources of this state to therefore belong to the people of this state and is subject to regulation in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The control and development and use of water for all beneficial purposes shall be in the state, which, in the exercise of its police powers, shall take such measures to effectively and efficiently manage, protect and utilize the water resources of Mississippi.
MS Code § 51-3-5 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-5. Permit requirement; notice of preexisting rights or beneficial usage

  No person who is not specifically exempted by this chapter shall use water without having first obtained a permit as provided herein and without having otherwise complied with the provisions of this chapter, the regulations promulgated hereunder and any applicable permit conditions.   All persons having acquired a right to use surface water prior to April 1, 1985 are entitled to continue such use, provided that such right shall be contingent upon filing a notice of claim to such use with the commission on a form promulgated by the commission. Any person who shall fail to file said notice within three (3) years of April 1, 1985 shall be deemed to have abandoned such use and the right to such use shall automatically terminate without further action of the board.   Any person using groundwater prior to April 1, 1985 for a beneficial use shall be entitled to continue such use upon the filing with the commission of a notice of claim on a form promulgated by the commission within three (3) years from April 1, 1985. Any such person failing to file said notice of claim within the prescribed period shall be deemed to have abandoned such use and the right to such use shall automatically terminate without further action by the board.   Notwithstanding rights as envisioned in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, all users of water shall continue to be subject to regulations promulgated by the commission regarding the use of surface water and groundwater for the benefit of the health and public welfare of citizens of this state.   As soon as practicable after April 1, 1985, the board shall give notice to all persons affected by the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) of this section regarding the requirement to file the notices of claims mentioned therein. If the names and mailing addresses of such affected persons are available to the board, actual written notice, by certified mail, shall be given by the board. If such names and mailing addresses are not available to the board, notice shall be given by publication at least one (1) time per week for not less than three (3) consecutive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation in each county of the state.
MS Code § 51-3-9 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-9. Duration of permit; reissuance; termination

  No permit for water use shall be issued for a period longer than ten (10) years. The right to use of water granted by the permit shall automatically terminate upon the passage of the tenth anniversary date of the permit unless there is pending before the board an application for another water permit which includes the use of the same water permitted under the expiring permit. Six (6) months prior to the tenth anniversary date of such permit, the board shall give actual written notice by certified mail to the permit holder informing him that such permit shall be automatically terminated upon its expiration unless such permit holder has made an application for another water permit as described in this subsection. The permit shall be reissued to the permit holder unless his continued use is found to be contrary to the public interest.   Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, the board may grant to a municipality, county or other governmental subdivision, a public utility or a publicly regulated utility, a permit to use water for a duration sufficient to amortize the initial capital investment of such permittee in water-related equipment.   The board may modify, terminate or decline to reissue a permit upon a showing of good cause, after affording the permittee involved an opportunity for a hearing at which the permittee shall be entitled to be represented by legal counsel and call witnesses and present evidence on his behalf.   The board shall issue to any person filing a notice of claim to previously existing rights as provided in Section 51-3-5 a permit which reflects such person's rights. However, such person, on or before the tenth anniversary date of the permit so issued by the board, shall file an application to renew such permit or the rights thereunder to the use of water shall automatically terminate upon the expiration of the permit. This decennial filing requirement shall also apply thereafter to each renewed permit.
MS Code § 51-3-13 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-13. Consideration of applications; criteria

 Use of waters of the state shall not constitute absolute ownership or absolute rights of use of such waters, but such waters shall remain subject to the principle of beneficial use. It shall be the duty of the board to approve all applications made in such form as shall meet the requirements of this chapter and such rules and regulations as shall be promulgated by the board and which contemplate the utilization of water for beneficial purposes, within reasonable limitations, provided the proposed use does not prejudicially and unreasonably affect the public interest. If it is determined that the proposed use of the water sought to be permitted is not for beneficial purposes, is not consistent with standards established by the commission, or is detrimental to the public interest, it shall be the duty of the board to enter an order rejecting such application or requiring its modification.
MS Code § 51-3-15 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-15. State Permit Board as permitting authority; powers; hearings

  The board shall serve as the permitting authority for this chapter. The board may adopt rules of practice and procedure governing its proceedings and forms as it deems necessary consistent with the regulations of the commission to carry out its permitting duties under this chapter. The board, under any conditions as the board may prescribe, may authorize the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to make decisions on permit issuance, reissuance, denial, modification and revocation. A decision by the executive director shall be a decision of the board and shall be subject to formal hearing and appeal as provided in Section 49-17-29. The executive director shall report all permit decisions to the board at its next regularly scheduled meeting and those decisions shall be recorded in the minutes of the board.   The board may:   Issue or reissue any permit under those conditions and limitations consistent with the regulations of the commission and as it reasonably deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.   Issue or reissue any temporary or emergency permit for any period of time specified by the board where conditions make a temporary or emergency permit essential.   Modify or revoke any permit upon not less than sixty (60) days' written notice to the permittee affected.   Revoke any permit as the board deems appropriate for failure to adhere to permit conditions.   Deny the issuance, reissuance or modification of any permit if the proposed use is found to be contrary to public interest.   Delegate authority to any joint water management district to receive, investigate and make recommendations to the board regarding applications for permits required under this chapter.   Require all abandoned bore holes and wells more than twenty-five (25) feet deep to be properly plugged to prevent groundwater contamination.     The board may hold a public hearing regarding its proposed action on any permit under this chapter as provided in Section 49-17-29. Any interested party aggrieved by an action of the board may appeal that action as provided in Section 49-17-29.
MS Code § 51-3-16 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-16. Bureau of land and water resources; duties and powers in assisting waterway, river basin and watershed authorities and districts

 The Bureau of Land and Water Resources through the Division of Regional Water Resources shall have the following duties and powers in assisting waterway, river basin and watershed authorities and districts:   To offer such assistance as may be appropriate to the various authorities and districts, as set forth in Section 51-3-18, in the performance of any of their powers and programs;   To keep the authorities and districts informed of the activities and experiences of all other such authorities and districts and to facilitate an interchange of experiences among such authorities and districts;   To coordinate the programs of the various authorities and districts;   To secure the cooperation and assistance of the United States and any of its agencies and of agencies of this state in the work of such authorities and districts;   To disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and programs of the various authorities and districts and to encourage the formation of such authorities and districts in areas where their organization is desirable;   To seek and receive grants of monies, and other assets, from any legitimate sources for use in carrying out the purposes of this section;   To distribute any appropriated or other funds or assets in its custody or under its control, from state, federal or other governmental agencies or political subdivisions thereof, or from private grants, appropriate in carrying out the purposes of this article, including matching funds to districts;   To give guidance and overall supervision to districts when such assistance is requested, or acceptable;   To provide technical assistance and information to the State Permit Board in the performance of its duties under this chapter;   To receive, file and review permit applications and notices of claims and any other documents regarding water uses and rights;   To serve as the repository for information gathered or filed under the provisions of this chapter.
MS Code § 51-3-18 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-18. Authorities and districts to receive assistance from Department of Environmental Quality

 The Department of Environmental Quality, through the Office of Land and Water Resources or a successor office, may provide water resources-related assistance to any authority or district created or established under this title.
MS Code § 51-3-23 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-23. Reporting requirements

  Pursuant to regulations established by the commission, the commission may require any permit holder to file such reports as are deemed necessary or appropriate for proper water management.   Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any person using in excess of twenty thousand (20,000) gallons per day may be required to file the reports as provided for in subsection (1) of this section.
MS Code § 51-3-25 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-25. Regulatory authority of commission

 The commission shall have the power to adopt, modify, repeal, promulgate and enforce, after due notice and hearing, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from the rules and regulations which contain any of the following provisions as the commission finds appropriate concerning the regulation of surface water and groundwater:   Provisions for making observations and measurements as will enable it to administratively determine and establish the rights of all water users who were making beneficial use of water prior to April 1, 1985, and who have filed a notice of claim;   Provisions concerning the timing of withdrawals, provisions to protect against or abate saltwater encroachment; provisions to protect against or abate unreasonable adverse effects on other water users within the area, including but not limited to adverse effects on public use;   Provisions concerning well depth and spacing controls and provisions establishing a range of prescribed static levels (elevations below which water may not be pumped) or maximum pumping rates, or both, in wells or for the aquifer or for any part thereof based on actual proof of the capacities and characteristics of the aquifer;   Provisions to minimize waste by requiring users to employ water conservation measures;   Provisions concerning well design and standards, including provisions regarding technical upgrading requirements for existing permitted wells in water use caution areas; and   Other provisions not inconsistent with this chapter as the commission finds necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter.
MS Code § 51-3-29 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-29. Unpermitted waters

 The following are hereby declared to constitute unpermitted waters:   All water which has not been permitted prior to April 1, 1985;   All surface water for which a permit had been issued prior to April 1, 1985, but for which no notice of claim has been filed by the expiration of three (3) years from April 1, 1985;   All groundwater which was not subjected to use for a beneficial purpose on April 1, 1985;   All water which having been used flows or seeps back or otherwise returns to a natural watercourse or waterbody, whether on the surface or underground.
MS Code § 51-3-31 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-31. Application for permit; disposition of fees

 Any person desiring to use water for a beneficial purpose shall apply to the board for a permit for such use on a form prescribed by the board for such purpose. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00). Said application shall provide such information as deemed appropriate by the board to its decision to issue such permit.   All fees received by the board as herein prescribed shall be deposited in the General Fund of the state.
MS Code § 51-3-33 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-33. Duty of board as to application

  Upon receipt of the application it shall be the duty of the board to have endorsed thereon the date of the receipt and to assign it a number. If upon examination the application is found to be defective, inadequate, or insufficient to enable the board to determine the place, nature and amount of the proposed use, it shall be returned for correction or completion or for other required information.   All maps, plats, plans and drawings shall conform to prescribed uniform standards as to materials, size, coloring and scale as prescribed by the board, and shall show: (a) the source from which the proposed use is to be made; (b) all proposed pump locations, dams, dikes, reservoirs, canals, pipelines, powerhouses and other structures for the purpose of storing, conveying or using water for the purpose approved and their positions or courses in connection with the boundary lines and corners of the lands which they occupy. Land listed for irrigation shall be shown in acres. All maps, plats, plans, drawings, and applications submitted shall become the property of the board.
MS Code § 51-3-35 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-35. Approval of application

  Upon approval of the application the board shall notify the applicant to that effect and issue a permit authorizing him to take all steps required to apply the water to the approved and proposed beneficial use. An application may be approved for a less amount of water than that requested if, in the opinion of the board, the approval of the full amount requested would interfere with a vested right or is against public interest. An applicant shall be entitled to proceed with construction and with the use of water in accordance with the approval and such limitations as may be prescribed by the board. No application shall be approved until the substance thereof shall have been published by the applicant in a newspaper having general circulation in the county wherein the point of diversion or withdrawal exists, at least ten (10) days before approval of such application, and a public hearing accorded any person whose rights may be adversely affected by such approval. At such hearing all persons concerned will be accorded the right of counsel and the right to introduce evidence in their behalf.   If the application is refused the board shall so notify the applicant, and it shall be unlawful for such applicant to take any steps toward the use of any such water, so long as the refusal shall continue in force. Any person who proceeds to use water, without approval of the board being first obtained, may be enjoined in any court of competent jurisdiction.
MS Code § 51-3-41 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-41. Compacts and agreements

 The commission shall have authority to negotiate and recommend to the Legislature compacts and agreements concerning this state's share of ground water and waters flowing in watercourses where a portion of those waters are contained within the territorial limits of a neighboring state.
MS Code § 51-3-43 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-43. Right of entry upon public or private lands

 Any member of the board, the commission or any person authorized by either shall have the right to enter upon private or public lands for the purpose of inspecting waterworks, making surveys or conducting tests or examinations necessary for the gathering of information on water resources or uses, subject to responsibility for any damage done to property entered.
MS Code § 51-3-44 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-44. Disclosure; confidentiality claim; violation, penalty

  No person may be required to disclose any trade secret, including any formula, process or methods used in any manufacturing operation or any confidential information concerning business activities.   The provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act shall govern any request to have the commission declare information confidential, subject to specific provisions of this section.   No confidentiality claim or determination of confidentiality shall prevent disclosure of the information to authorized department or federal employees.   Information submitted to the commission containing any trade secret, including any formula, process or methods used in any manufacturing operation or any confidential information concerning business activities, specifically identified as confidential by the applicant and which is not essential for any public review as determined by the commission, shall be kept confidential by the department if:   A written confidentiality claim is made when the information is supplied; and   The confidentiality claim is determined by the commission, after hearing, to be valid.  If the confidentiality claim is denied, the information will not be released until the party claiming confidentiality has withdrawn its claim or has exhausted its administrative remedies. During the pendency of the proceedings the department shall not in any way use the contested information.      Any public officer or employee who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined a sum not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and dismissed from public office or employment.