OK SB418

Amends Oklahoma Groundwater Law to clarify that salt water associated with oil and gas exploration, production, or recovery is exempt from groundwater regulations.

Adds new exemption for water trapped in producing mines from groundwater law, unless the water originates from a sensitive sole source groundwater basin or subbasin.

Directs Oklahoma Water Resources Board to promulgate rules and recommend legislative amendments for permitting and regulation of water use in mines within sensitive sole source groundwater basins or subbasins within 2 years.

Requires rules to limit regulation to consumptively used water volumes, include site-specific environmental monitoring and mitigation plans, and coordinate with Oklahoma Mining Commission to streamline permitting processes.

Declares an emergency for immediate enactment; permitting system must be fully implemented by January 1, 2013.