Replacement, reconstruction, and transfer of an approved high capacity well, recommendation of special groundwater measures by the Department of Natural Resources, and metering requirements and grants for certain high capacity wells

Designated study area This bill also requires DNR to evaluate and model the hydrology of Pleasant Lake in Waushara County and the Fourteenmile Creek Watershed, the Mecan River Watershed, and the Pine River and Willow Creek Watershed, located in parts of Adams, Green Lake, Juneau, Marquette, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood counties (defined in the bill as the “designated study area”). DNR must begin its evaluation of the study area within one year after the effective date of the bill. If DNR determines that special measures relating to existing and potential groundwater withdrawal are necessary in all or part of the study area to prevent or remedy a significant reduction of a navigable stream's or navigable lake's rate of flow or water level below its average seasonal levels, DNR must issue a decision on whether it recommends that the legislature adopt, by statute, special measures relating to groundwater withdrawal in all or part of that area. DNR must hold a public hearing on its decision. Following the public hearing, the bill requires DNR to submit a report to the legislature describing what special measures, if any, it recommends that the legislature adopt in all or part of the study area. DNR must submit this report within three years after beginning its study of the study area.

The bill requires the owner of a new high capacity well located in the study area, or an owner who replaces, reconstructs, or transfers ownership of a high capacity well located in the study area, to provide, with the annual pumping report that it submits to DNR, readings from a water meter showing the well's water usage.

The bill also permits DNR to provide a qualified lake association or lake district with an approval to construct a high capacity well for the purpose of providing water to a lake located in the study area to assist DNR in evaluating and modeling the hydrology of that area, if DNR determines that the lake's water level has been significantly reduced below its average seasonal levels. Under the bill, DNR must waive the application fee and expedite the review and approval process for an application submitted by a qualified lake association or lake district, and may not issue an approval if it determines that providing water from the proposed high capacity well to a lake is likely to result in a violation of water quality standards for that lake. DNR must also develop and administer a financial assistance program to provide grants to qualified lake associations and lake districts to construct high capacity wells for this purpose.