Environmental groups say a bill introduced last week could end state oversight of water withdrawals.
Bill supporters, however, say the measure would keep farmers from getting stuck in regulatory limbo.
The bill creates a presumption that a proposed well is environmentally safe, as long as the owner submits the necessary paperwork.
Republican State Representative Aaron Mills is the bill sponsor. He said farmers are hurt when well approvals take too long.
“Well approvals take too long and I believe, and many others believe, that the science they are using is not the best out there.”
James Clift is with the Michigan Environmental Council. He said the new rule would strip regulatory power from the DEQ.
“We think this is completely backwards. Basically, a Nestle or another large water user gets to decide whether their water withdrawal is going to impact a trout stream or any other water resources in Michigan and the department basically can’t do anything about it.”
Mills said the DEQ would have a two-year window after the initial well paperwork is filed to show that it DOES have an adverse impact.
A representative for the DEQ said the department is currently reviewing the bill but has no comment at this time.
The bill is expected to get a hearing in the House Natural Resource Committee on Wednesday.