SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 61

(By Senators Laird, Fanning, Beach, Boley, Edgell, D. Facemire, K. Facemyer, Green, Helmick, Williams and Wills)

[Originating in the Committee on Natural Resources]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study methods for assessing the state’s narrative water quality standards by utilizing the West Virginia Water Research Institute and the National Maritime Enhancement Institute at Marshall University.

    Whereas, The West Virginia Legislature previously enacted Chapter 22 Article 11 of the 1931 Code of West Virginia as amended, the West Virginia Water Pollution Control Act, and in that enactment declared it to be “the public policy of the State of West Virginia to maintain reasonable standards of purity and quality of the water of the state consistent with (1) public health and enjoyment thereof; (2) the propagation and protection of animal, bird, fish, aquatic and plant life; and (3) the expansion of employment opportunities, maintenance and expansion of agriculture and the provision of a permanent foundation for healthy industrial development.”; and  

    Whereas, Such standards have been promulgated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the Legislature and submitted to and approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act; and

    Whereas, These environmental protections and permitting measures include narrative water quality standards codified at 47 CSR 2-3; and

    Whereas, The West Virginia Water Research Institute and the National Maritime Enhancement Institute at Marshall University are dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment through research and outreach with industry, government agencies, academia, and the public; and

    Whereas, The West Virginia Water Research Institute has been in existence since 1967 and is the premier water research center in West Virginia and an international leader. West Virginia Water Research Institute is a program within the National Research Center for Coal & Energy located at West Virginia University; and

    Whereas, The Legislature desires the West Virginia Water Research Institute to develop a method to assess the state’s narrative water quality standards and determine whether or not streams meet the Clean Water Act’s designated use requirements; and

    Whereas, The National Maritime Enhancement Institute at Marshall University is one of nine nationally recognized maritime institutes in the United States; conducting research to improve the performance, efficiency, security and financial stability of waterborne commerce, industry and transportation; and

    Whereas, The Legislature desires The National Maritime Enhancement Institute at Marshall University to assist, through its research efforts and other available resources, in developing a method to assess the state’s narrative water quality standards and determine what, if any, impact those standards will have on the state’s waterborne commerce, industry and transportation; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study methods for assessing the state’s narrative water quality standards by utilizing the West Virginia Water Research Institute and the National Maritime Enhancement Institute at Marshall University; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2012, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.