reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
AR Code § 15-22-806 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 8 - Arkansas Water Resources Cost Share Finance Act|§ 15-22-806. Loans or grants — Eligibility — Applications — Awards

 (a)  (1) Local governments who have entered into or who are attempting to enter into a cooperative agreement for cost-sharing to finance a water resources development project are eligible to apply for a loan or grant under this subchapter.  (2) Combinations of local governments may apply jointly for loans or grants authorized under this subchapter in accordance with the Interlocal Cooperation Act, § 25-20-101 et seq.    (b) The final award of the loan or grant for cost-sharing purposes shall be made contingent upon actual receipt of federal funding for the federal share of the water resources development project.  (c) The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, by rule, shall specify the form and style of any forms needed for application by the local governments for loans or grants.  (d)  (1) Beginning each January 1, the commission shall take applications from the state and local governments for grants and loans to be awarded for water resources development projects for the next fiscal year.  (2) The annual deadline for loan or grant application shall be March 31 of each year.  (3) The commission shall award the grants and loans for the water resources development projects, contingent on the availability of funds, by June 30 of each year.
AR Code § 15-22-807 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 8 - Arkansas Water Resources Cost Share Finance Act|§ 15-22-807. Priority list of projects

 (a) From each year's applications for grants and loans, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission shall develop a priority list for water resources development projects which ranks each water resources development project in order of its priority.  (b) The priority ranking of water resources development projects shall be based on the following factors:  (1) The overall cost of the water resources development project weighted against its potential or predicted benefits;  (2) The potential for the water resources development project to provide economic development in the area; and  (3) The commitment of any state or local government funds to the water resources development project to contribute to the nonfederal interest's share of the cost of the overall water resources development project.
AR Code § 15-22-808 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 8 - Arkansas Water Resources Cost Share Finance Act|§ 15-22-808. Arkansas Water Resources Cost Share Revolving Fund

 (a) The Arkansas Water Resources Cost Share Revolving Fund created under § 19-5-1042 is a depository for funds which may be appropriated or otherwise secured for cost-sharing with the federal government in local water resources development projects under this subchapter.  (b)  (1) The fund shall be used to:  (A) Provide loans or grants to local governments under this subchapter; and  (B) Pay the administrative costs of a water resources development project not to exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total cost of the water resources development project.    (2) Funds from the repayment of loans from the fund shall be returned to the fund and shall be reused in a manner consistent with the purpose of this subchapter.    (c)  (1) Loans from the fund shall be repaid in full at an interest rate up to the maximum allowed under the Arkansas Constitution.  (2) The terms and conditions of repayment of the loans for cost-sharing shall be specified and agreed to in writing before awarding the loan.
AR Code § 15-22-809 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 8 - Arkansas Water Resources Cost Share Finance Act|§ 15-22-809. Grants

 (a) The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission is authorized to use the funds deposited into the Arkansas Water Resources Cost Share Revolving Fund for grants to local governments with limited financial capacity.  (b) In selecting the recipients for state grants authorized in this subchapter, the following factors shall be taken into consideration by the commission:  (1) The financial ability of the local government applicant to provide the cost-sharing funds for the water resources development project, including all available tax sources or assessments;  (2) The burden placed on low income, elderly, and unemployed persons if the local government applicant participates in a cost-sharing project and pays for the nonfederal share through a user fee or property tax; and  (3) The amount of fair user fees or other revenues which the water resources development project may reasonably be expected to generate in excess of those which would amortize the local share of the initial cost and provide for its successful operation and maintenance, including depreciation.    (c) No grant under this subchapter shall be awarded until the local government applicant has furnished the commission with sufficient proof of the exhaustion of all other funding sources and established that a deficiency exists in the amount of local funds necessary for the water resources development project.
AR Code § 15-22-810 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 8 - Arkansas Water Resources Cost Share Finance Act|§ 15-22-810. Exceptions to federal cooperation requirement

 The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission may provide financial assistance to a local government for water resources development projects under this subchapter without the requirement of execution of a cooperative agreement between the local government and the federal government if the commission determines that:   (1) The water resources development project is of such a type or size that does not make cost sharing through a cooperative agreement efficient or effective; or  (2) Current conditions make the funding of the water resources development project through a cooperative agreement between the federal government and local government within a reasonable time unlikely.
AR Code § 15-22-901 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 9 - Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act|§ 15-22-901. Title

 This subchapter shall be known as the “Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act”.
AR Code § 15-22-902 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 9 - Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act|§ 15-22-902. Purpose

 The State of Arkansas has an abundance of good quality groundwater. In some areas of the state, this groundwater is being mined such that in the future there may not be adequate supplies of good quality groundwater to meet our needs. In order to protect groundwater for the future, it is necessary to reduce groundwater use. It is most desirable that these reductions come from conservation or use of surface water, but in critical groundwater areas it may become necessary to limit groundwater withdrawals through the use of water rights. Should the regulatory provisions be implemented in the future, it is most desirable that day-to-day water management be administered by local districts, and every effort shall be made by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to delegate water management powers to qualified local districts. All regulatory powers shall apply only in critical groundwater areas. Programs for water use reporting, education and information, water conservation cost-sharing, and the registration fees shall be administered statewide.
AR Code § 15-22-903 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 9 - Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act|§ 15-22-903. Definitions

 As used in this subchapter:   (1) “Administrative Procedure Act” means the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq.;  (2) “Aquifer” means a permeable, water-bearing stratum of rock, sand, or gravel;  (3) “Beneficial use” means the use of water in such quantity as is economical and efficient and which use is for a purpose and in a manner which is reasonable, not wasteful, and is compatible with the public interest;  (4) “Commission” means the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission created under § 15-20-201;  (5) “Conservation district” means conservation districts created under the Conservation Districts Law, § 14-125-101 et seq.;  (6) “Critical groundwater area” is defined in the Arkansas Water Plan developed by the commission under its authority in § 15-22-503;  (7) “District” means a conservation district or regional water district;  (8) “Domestic use” means the use of water for ordinary household purposes, including human consumption, washing, the watering of domestic livestock, poultry, and animals, and the watering of home gardens for consumption by the household;  (9) “Groundwater” means water beneath the surface of the ground;  (10) “Person” means any natural person, partnership, firm, association, cooperative, municipality, county, public or private corporation, and state or local governmental agency;  (11) “Regional water district” means a regional water distribution district created under The Regional Water Distribution District Act, § 14-116-101 et seq.;  (12) “Sustaining aquifer” means any aquifer excluding the state's alluvial aquifers that is used as a significant source for water supply including, but not limited to, the Cockfield, Sparta, Memphis, Cane River, Carrizo, Wilcox, Nacatoch, Roubidoux, and Gunter aquifers;  (13) “Water right” means the authority or permission issued by the commission under this subchapter to use groundwater within a critical groundwater area;  (14) “Water year” means the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending the next September 30; and  (15)  (A) “Well” means any hole dug, drilled, or otherwise constructed in the ground for the purpose of withdrawing groundwater.  (B) For the purpose of this subchapter, a well also must have a potential flow rate of fifty thousand gallons (50,000 gals.) per day or greater.
AR Code § 15-22-904 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 9 - Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act|§ 15-22-904. Powers of the commission

 The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission shall have all powers necessary to effectuate this subchapter, including the power to:   (1) Promulgate rules for groundwater classification and aquifer use, well spacing, issuance of groundwater rights within critical groundwater areas, and assessment of fees;  (2) Issue subpoenas for any witness to require attendance and testimony and production of relevant books, papers, or other records in any proceeding before the commission;  (3) Administer an oath to any witness in any hearing, investigation, or proceeding before the commission;  (4) At reasonable times, enter upon property for purposes of conducting investigations, studies, or enforcing this subchapter;  (5) Reduce or suspend notice and hearing requirements under this subchapter in times of an emergency;  (6) Issue orders to implement or enforce any of the provisions of this subchapter or regulations or rules under this subchapter;  (7) Delegate any and all powers under this subchapter to the Director of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission or his or her designee;  (8) Delegate any powers under this subchapter to districts within a critical groundwater area;  (9) Provide technical assistance and establish guidelines which shall be followed by districts which have been granted powers under this subchapter;  (10) Resolve disputes between, approve rules of, and hear appeals from decisions of districts to which the commission has delegated powers; and  (11) Provide cost share assistance from the Arkansas Water Development Fund not to exceed forty percent (40%) to persons for the installation of approved water conservation and development practices.
AR Code § 15-22-905 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 9 - Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act|§ 15-22-905. Powers of commission — Limitations

 The following provisions shall limit the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission's powers under this subchapter:   (1)  (A) There will be no reduction or limitation of the withdrawal of groundwater from existing wells in an alluvial aquifer for which a water right is grandfathered under the provisions of § 15-22-910(a)(1) unless alternative surface water supplies are available or can be made available at a cost to the person no greater than the operating cost of the person's wells within the critical groundwater area, including depreciation costs over the life of the well.  (B) There shall be no reduction or limitation of the withdrawal of groundwater from existing wells in a sustaining aquifer for which a water right is grandfathered under the provisions of § 15-22-910(a)(1) unless alternative surface supplies are available;    (2)  (A) In an alluvial aquifer, there will be no reduction or limitation of the withdrawal of groundwater from wells for which a water right has been issued under § 15-22-910 and for which the person holding the right can demonstrate:  (i) A reduction of twenty percent (20%) of his or her use of groundwater by either institution of water conservation measures or conversion to surface supplies. The demonstrated reduction must be based on the use reported in water year 1986 or later; or  (ii) The implementation of a water conservation plan employing generally accepted water conservation practices approved by the commission.    (B) In sustaining aquifers, the commission may consider voluntary reductions, water use efficiencies, and implementation of water conservation measures in determining limitations or reduction of withdrawals;    (3) There will be no regulation of the withdrawal of groundwater from existing or proposed wells which have a maximum potential flow rate of less than fifty thousand gallons (50,000 gals.) per day;  (4) There shall be no regulation of the withdrawals of groundwater from individual household wells used exclusively for domestic use;  (5) With respect to replacement wells:  (A)  (i) The owner of an existing well may construct a replacement well after abandoning the existing well.  (ii) To transfer a water right to a replacement well the owner need only submit to the commission notice of construction of a replacement well stating the location and ownership of the original well and replacement well and other relevant information required by the commission; and    (B) The original well must be converted to a nonregulated use or plugged in the manner prescribed by the commission; and    (6) Marketers of bottled water and public water supply systems shall at no time be restricted in the place of use of groundwater.
AR Code § 15-22-906 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 9 - Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act|§ 15-22-906. Groundwater protection program

 (a) In order to protect the groundwater of the state, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission shall develop a comprehensive groundwater protection program.  (b) This shall contain, as a minimum, the following components as the commission deems necessary:  (1) Assessment and monitoring of the availability of groundwater and its quality;  (2) The classification of groundwater and establishment of groundwater criteria and standards; and  (3) The management of groundwater pursuant to this subchapter, including the issuance of water rights, protection of groundwater quality, and establishment of an education and information program.    (c)  (1) This program shall not be inconsistent with nor shall it preempt or supersede any regulatory authority currently or in the future vested with the Division of Environmental Quality, the State Plant Board, or the Department of Health.  (2) However, no permit or prior authorization from the division, the board, or the department shall be required to implement the provisions of this subchapter.
AR Code § 15-22-907 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 9 - Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act|§ 15-22-907. Water conservation education and information program

 (a) The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission or its designee shall develop and implement an education and information program to encourage water conservation by increasing the public's awareness of the need for and techniques available for conservation.  (b) This shall include, as a minimum, the following components as the commission deems necessary:  (1) Technology transfer;  (2) Training;  (3) Technical assistance;  (4) Research; and  (5) Demonstration projects.
AR Code § 15-22-908 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 9 - Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act|§ 15-22-908. Designation of critical groundwater areas

 (a) Before designation of critical groundwater areas, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission shall describe the proposed action, the reasons therefore, and the recommended boundaries.  (b) Public hearings shall be held in accord with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq., and shall be held in each county within the proposed critical groundwater area.
AR Code § 15-22-909 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 9 - Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act|§ 15-22-909. Water rights — Initiation of regulatory authority within critical groundwater areas

 (a)  (1) When the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission determines such action to be necessary within a critical groundwater area, it will declare that water rights are required for groundwater withdrawal.  (2) Before initiation of the regulatory program, the commission shall describe the proposed action, the reasons therefor, and the recommended boundaries if they differ from the previous critical groundwater area designation.  (3) Public hearings shall be held in accord with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq., and shall be held in each county within the proposed critical groundwater area.  (4) After such a declaration, no person shall withdraw groundwater from an existing well or construct a new well within the critical groundwater area without first obtaining a water right.  (5) All determinations for the current water year shall have been made by March 1 of the preceding water year.    (b) There will be no reduction or limitation for a period of four (4) years of the withdrawal of groundwater from an existing well or a well constructed during the first year following initiation of the regulatory authority and for which a water right is issued under the provisions of § 15-22-910(a).
AR Code § 15-22-910 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 15 - Natural Resources and Economic Development|Subtitle 2 - Land and Water Resources Generally|Chapter 22 - Water Resources|Subchapter 9 - Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act|§ 15-22-910. Water rights — Issuance

 (a) Grandfathering Existing Wells.  (1)  (A) Within one (1) year of initiation of the regulatory authority as provided under § 15-22-909, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, upon application, shall issue to an applicant within the critical groundwater area a water right for existing wells equal to the average quantity of groundwater withdrawn for beneficial use over the past three (3) water years.  (B) For wells with reported use levels significantly below normal use levels, prior water year use reports may be used to determine the three-year average in subdivision (a)(1)(A) of this section.    (2) For new wells constructed during the first year of initiation of the regulatory authority as provided under § 15-22-909, the commission, upon application, shall issue to an applicant within the critical groundwater area a water right equal to the quantity of groundwater necessary for beneficial use.  (3)  (A) Failure to apply within this period shall create a conclusive presumption of abandonment of use.  (B) If the landowner desires to receive a water right, he or she must apply for a water right pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.    (4) Water rights issued pursuant to this subsection shall be exempt from the public notice requirements described in subsection (b) of this section.    (b) New Groundwater Rights Applications.  (1) To obtain a water right, application must be made in a form satisfactory to the commission.  (2) The application shall contain information reasonably necessary to assist the commission in making a determination as to issuance of a water right.  (3) Upon receipt of the application, the commission shall cause to be published a notice of application for water rights in a newspaper with statewide circulation.  (4) In consideration of an application for water rights, the commission may:  (A) Grant the application;  (B) Deny the application; or  (C) Grant the application subject to necessary reductions or conditions.    (5) Persons who are or might be affected by issuance may request a hearing before the commission concerning the application within fifteen (15) days of publication of notice.    (c) Priorities. In the issuance of water rights, the commission shall give reasonable preference first to sustaining life, then to maintaining health, and finally to increasing wealth.  (d) Review and Modification. Water rights issued under this section shall be subject to review and modification by the commission.  (e) Alternative Water Supplies. In determining the issuance of water rights, the commission shall consider the availability or lack of availability of alternative water supplies.