SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 27

(By Senators Unger, McCabe, Prezioso, Rowe, Hunter, Caldwell, Kessler, Fanning, Bailey, Weeks, Harrison, Edgell, White, Minard, Sharpe, Ross, Facemyer, Smith, Sprouse, Boley, Tomblin, Mr. President, and Guills)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study a statewide plan for protection of the state's water supply and access to clean and safe drinking water.

Whereas, Water is a vital economic resource of equal or greater importance than any other mineral or natural resource; and
Whereas, Access to an adequate supply of clean and safe drinking water is critical to the functioning of business and industry and to the health and safety of the people of this state; and
Whereas, The recent extended drought throughout the eastern United States has brought focus to the need for comprehensive planning and protection for adequate supplies of water; and
Whereas, The International Center for Investigative Journalism has documented a national and international trend of increasing management and control of water supplies and systems by private interests over publicly accountable local authorities; and
Whereas, The State of West Virginia is the only state out of the surrounding states that has not promulgated or adopted a comprehensive plan for maintaining adequate supplies of clean and safe drinking water; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study a statewide plan for protection of the state's water supply and access to clean and safe drinking water; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance also study statewide coordination of water service programs, preparation and contingencies for droughts and strategies for improving water service and adequate supplies of clean and safe drinking water to citizens; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2004, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.