73-10c-1 - Legislative findings.
73-10c-1. Legislative findings.
The Legislature finds that the conservation, development, treatment, restoration, andprotection of the waters of this arid state are a state purpose and a matter of statewide concern.The needs and requirements associated with conserving, developing, treating, restoring, andprotecting the waters of this state are of such magnitude and complexity that they justify stateparticipation and assistance. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 United States CodeAnnotated Secs. 300f et seq. (federal drinking water act) establishes a national policy to ensuredelivery of safe drinking water to the public, establishes maximum pollution levels, monitoringand reporting requirements and provides penalties, including the assessment of fines, for politicalsubdivisions that violate the act. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Title 33, Chapter 26,United States Code (federal water pollution control act), establishes a national policy andprogram for the restoration, preservation, and protection of the nation's waters. The politicalsubdivisions of this state are prohibited by the federal water pollution control act from pollutingthe navigable waters of the United States and are subject to various penalties, including theassessment of fines, for failing to meet the minimum standards of the federal water pollutioncontrol act. Pursuant to the requirements of the federal pollution control act, the state hasestablished water quality standards and effluent limitations with respect to the waters of this state. These standards and limitations have been adopted by the United States Environmental ProtectionAgency for the purpose of issuing permits for wastewater projects and the state must certifycompliance with these standards and limitations in order for the federal permit to be obtained. Under the federal water pollution control act, the state and its political subdivisions may receivegrants, subject to the availability of funds, to meet the requirements of the federal water pollutioncontrol act if the state or its political subdivisions make contributions to the nonfederal share ofconstruction costs of treatment works. It is desirable that the state assist in providing financingmechanisms to aid political subdivisions in securing needed water treatment and transportingwater and in the acquisition and construction of drinking water projects and wastewater projectsin order to accomplish the foregoing purposes, to protect the public health and welfare, to meetthe anticipated growth in the state and to encourage development of the state's resources.
Enacted by Chapter 354, 1983 General Session