STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

SENATE BILL 628	By:	Allen

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to water protection; stating legislative findings; directing Secretary of Environment to coordinate with certain agencies to seek funding for and promote use of certain projects designed to protect drinking water supplies; providing for noncodification; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
The Legislature finds that with limited funding for road paving and maintenance available from traditional sources the state, under the leadership of the Secretary of Environment, should lead the way in seeking alternative funding sources so that projects might be awarded in any critical watershed areas where the reduction of sediment from unpaved roads entering impaired waterbodies would help protect sole drinking water sources for many Oklahomans.
In addition to protection of drinking water sources, projects designed to reduce soil erosion from unpaved roads will provide an inventory and assessment of the roads in specific areas and analysis performed for such projects will give estimates of erosion-reduction potential, identify hotspots to prioritize future efforts, and provide a baseline against which to measure improvement.  When implemented, such projects will provide training to road maintenance staffs and develop best management practices for use on roads within sensitive areas to reduce soil erosion and sediment supply to vital drinking water resources.
The Legislature hereby directs the Secretary of Environment to coordinate with the various federal, state and local entities involved in the distribution of funds or grants which may be awarded for projects designed to reduce soil erosion from unpaved roads in our state to protect the drinking water supplies of our state citizens.
The Secretary of Environment is directed to coordinate with federal and state natural resources agencies, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, the Department of Transportation, and any other state and county agency or organization to promote the use of any funds, grants or appropriations available to use for projects designed to reduce soil erosion from unpaved roads in sensitive or impaired watershed areas which are critical for public water supply.
SECTION 2.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

53-1-1334	MJM	1/19/2011 3:41:48 PM