Title L, Water Management and Protection

I. The purpose of a groundwater release detection permit shall be to monitor groundwater for early detection of any impact to groundwater quality. II. A groundwater release detection permit shall be required for the following activities in all classes of groundwater: (a) The siti…

Upon submission to the department of an application for a permit necessary for an activity in a contributing area classified as GA1 or GAA, which is a potential contamination source under RSA 485-C:7, the state shall notify the local governing body, as defined in RSA 672:6, as we…

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, before any person may withdraw 57,600 gallons or more of water in any 24-hour period from a well, such person shall provide written notice to the governing body of the municipality in which the well is located and to the gover…

I. Upon the discovery of groundwater contamination where one or more regulated chemical or radiological contaminants exceeds ambient groundwater quality standards, the commissioner shall provide notification of the presence of the contamination to the following: (a) The owners of…

The department, any authorized representative, any authorized representative of any agency operating under a memorandum of agreement with the department, or any town or city health officer may enter any land or establishment for the purpose of administering the provisions of this…

I. The department may issue a written cease and desist order against any violation of this chapter or rule adopted under this chapter. Local health officers shall have concurrent power to issue such orders. Such orders shall set out the specific acts which are alleged to be in vi…

Actions of the department under RSA 485-C:16 may be appealed in accordance with RSA 21-O:14.

The commissioner may impose an administrative fine not to exceed $4,000 for each offense upon any person who violates any provision of this chapter or any rule, permit or order adopted or issued under this chapter. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. Appeal…

I. Any person who knowingly violates this chapter, or any rule, permit, or order adopted or issued under this chapter; or who knowingly or recklessly makes any material false statement in any document required to be filed or maintained pursuant to this chapter; or who knowingly o…

In this chapter: I. "Ambient groundwater quality standards" means maximum concentration levels for regulated contaminants in groundwater which result from human operations or activities, as delineated in RSA 485-C:6. II. "Best management practice" means schedules of activities, p…

I. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to preempt the authority of municipalities, under other statutes, to enact local ordinances or regulations affecting groundwater, other than groundwater withdrawals; provided, however, that requirements imposed under this chapter shall b…

I. No person may withdraw more than a total of 57,600 gallons of water in any 24-hour period from a well or wells sited at a single property or place of business after the effective date of this section, regardless of the number of wells sited on the property or business, without…

The department may grant a renewable exemption from the rules for water conservation practices under RSA 485:61 to any municipality with a water balance of less than 15 percent. The municipality shall calculate the water balance each calendar year after the well is permitted, and…

I. Large groundwater withdrawals from new wells that replace a well or wells installed prior to August 1, 1998 shall not be subject to the requirements of RSA 485-C:14-a and RSA 485-C:21. Such wells shall require approval of the department under RSA 485-C:22, II-IV. II. No person…

I. The department may approve a new large groundwater withdrawal without compliance with RSA 485-C:14, RSA 485-C:21, or RSA 485-C:22 to protect human health and the environment in the event that circumstances beyond the control of the person requesting the withdrawal occurs, such…

The department shall require a short-term use, large groundwater withdrawal to cease and desist if such withdrawal causes unmitigated impacts as described in RSA 485-A:21, V-c.

A geothermal system as defined by RSA 485:1-a, I-b and RSA 485:1-a, XI-a shall not be considered a large groundwater withdrawal if the volume of groundwater extracted minus the volume of water returned to the same aquifer does not exceed 57,600 gallons over any 24-hour period.

The department shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A specifying criteria and procedures to ensure a groundwater withdrawal less than 57,600 gallons over any 24-hour period from a new source of water for a community water system as defined by RSA 485:1-a and subject to RSA 485:8…

The department shall: I. Maintain a statewide map identifying the classes of groundwater. II. Assist local and regional entities in the development and administration of local wellhead protection programs, including delineation of wellhead protection areas and the inventory and m…

The commissioner shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to: I. Criteria and procedures for delineating classes of groundwater. II. Criteria and procedures for reclassifying groundwater under RSA 485-C:9, II. III. Ambient groundwater quality standards as provided under…

I. All groundwater shall be classified for the purpose of prescribing protections and management practices. These classifications do not necessarily reflect existing water quality. For purposes of classification, all groundwater shall be assigned to one of 4 classes as follows: (…

I. The commissioner shall establish and adopt ambient groundwater quality standards for regulated contaminants which adversely affect human health or the environment. Ambient groundwater standards shall apply to all regulated contaminants which result from human operations or act…

The department may designate groundwater management zones as a component of the remediation of contaminated groundwater. The department shall issue permits or other similar controls for such zones that establish a time period and process for the remediation of the groundwater.

The department shall require a person to whom a groundwater management zone permit is issued to record notice of the existence of the groundwater management zone in a form approved by the department. Such notice shall be recorded in the registry of deeds in the chain of title for…

I. Human activities or operations upon the land surface shall be considered potential contamination sources if the activity or operation poses a reasonable risk that regulated contaminants may be introduced into the environment in such quantities as to degrade the natural groundw…

I. Inventory and management under this section shall be performed in GAA or GA1 contributing areas by the department or, by the local entity requesting reclassification under RSA 485-C:9, II(a) or III(a). II. The inventory of potential contamination sources required in contributi…

I. Within 180 days of June 28, 1991, the commissioner shall assign all groundwater within the state to class GB or class GA2. II. Procedures for Reclassification to Class GAA. (a) A local entity may request reclassification of a wellhead protection area to class GAA by submitting…