§ 15-22-909 - Groundwater rights -- Initiation of regulatory authority within critical areas. - Arkansas Statutes

15-22-909. Groundwater rights -- Initiation of regulatory authority within critical areas.

(a) (1) When the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission determines such action to be necessary within a critical area, it will declare that water rights are required for water 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 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 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).