HB 4678 - Groundwater Dispute Resolution Process

• Establishes a formal process for small-quantity well owners to file complaints with the Department of Environmental Quality or Department of Agriculture and Rural Development if a high-capacity well causes their well to fail or lose potable water supply.

• Requires the Department to investigate complaints within specified timeframes, conduct on-site evaluations when appropriate, and make diligent efforts to resolve disputes through proposed remedies.

• Directs the Department to declare a groundwater dispute by order if investigation shows the small-quantity well failure was caused by a high-capacity well's groundwater withdrawals and normal resolution attempts have failed.

• Upon declaration of a groundwater dispute, requires the high-capacity well owner to immediately provide temporary potable water to the affected small-quantity well owner and may restrict the high-capacity well's groundwater extraction.

• Allows owners of agricultural high-capacity wells to appeal groundwater dispute orders to the Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development within 14 days, staying the order's terms pending appeal determination.

• Establishes civil fines up to $1,000 per day (maximum $50,000 total) for violations of dispute resolution orders, with proceeds deposited into the aquifer protection revolving fund.