Development of Alabama s First Water-Resource Management Plan: Are We There Yet?

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1 Development of Alabama s First Water-Resource Management Plan: Are We There Yet? Marlon Cook Geological Survey of Alabama, Retired Cook Hydrogeology, LLC.

2 History of Alabama Water-Resource Planning and Management Alabama is essentially a riparian rights state. The Alabama Water Resources Act of 1993 created the Alabama Office of Water Resources (OWR), which maintains a Certificate of Beneficial Use Program that tracks water use of >100,000 gallons per day through a voluntary compliance system. In 2008 Act No created the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Water Policy and Management. In 2011 Governor Robert Bentley created the Alabama Water Agencies Working Group (AWAWG) comprised of the: Alabama Office of Water Resources Alabama Department of Environmental Management Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Geological Survey of Alabama Alabama State Climatologist

3 In 2013, Governor Bentley mandated the AWAWG to produce a document outlining a path to a comprehensive water-resource management plan. In 2013, Governor Bentley and the Alabama Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Water Policy and Management mandated the Geological Survey of Alabama and the Alabama Office of Water Resources to perform scientific assessments of the state s water resources.

4 Where Are We Currently? Scientific assessments are continuing Focus Area Panels FAPs are composed of invited experts in water resource and related issues who will, at the direction of Governor Robert Bentley and the AWAWG, develop strategies and recommendations for a number of critical subject areas related to water resource management and policy. Focus Area Panel issues include: Riparian and Other Legal Concerns Local/Regional Planning Water Conservation, Efficiency, and Reuse Certificates of Use, Permitting, and Interbasin Transfers Instream Flow Comprehensive Stakeholder Involvement

5 Ingredients for Water-Resource Planning and Management: 1. Political Will 2. Stakeholder Cooperation 3. Adequate Scientific Support

6 Threats to Water-Resource Planning and Management Executive and legislative branch distractions and complacency. Industry stakeholder interests that conflict with prudent water resource management. Agricultural stakeholder lack of cooperation. Grassroots stakeholder complacency. Climatic and hydrologic conditions that create a sense of plenty. Governmental agency conflict and lack of coordination and cooperation.

7 Surface Water 14 major watersheds 47,000 miles of perennial streams 563,000 acres of lakes 15% of all surface water in the lower 48 states flows through Alabama Yellow River

8 Groundwater Aquifers Recharge Areas and Confining Layers 160 Geologic Formations 17 Confining Layers 14 Major Aquifers 129 Minor Aquifers

9 What is the greatest threat to completion of a water-resource management plan for Alabama?

10 We have lots of water in Alabama

11 Unmanaged or Poorly Managed Water Resources will Threaten Alabama s Future

12 Issues on the Horizon Legal regime for water-resource access (riparian rights) Aging and inadequate public water supply infrastructure Interbasin transfers and distribution of water to the have nots Expanding agricultural irrigation Groundwater development conflicts

13 Scientific Support for Water-Resource Planning and Management

14 SCIENCE IN WATER- RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Determination of the quantity of water available. Determination of current water-use impacts and future water demands. Determination of sustainable water production and use. Development of future water-supply sources. Understanding geochemistry and quality of water.

15 Generalized Stratigraphy Southeast Alabama Major Aquifers Minor Aquifers Potential New Aquifer

16 Groundwater Use, Recharge, and Subsurface Storage in SE Alabama Millions of gallons per day 7, Total groundwater use Confined aquifer recharge Groundwater in subsurface storage Groundwater (millions gallons)

17 Net Potential Productive Interval Isopach Mapping Clayton Aquifer

18 Aquifer Decline Curve Analysis Water level decline rate = 4.9 ft/yr

19 The Have Nots

20 Water-Resource Planning and Management in Alabama: Are We There Yet? No. But We Are Moving Forward