IFC,
In Louisiana, we have legislation stating that for water withdrawals from
certain waterbodies we get reimbursed for fair market value of no more than
$0.15 per 1,000 gallons for surface water (LA R.S. 30:961 (J) and (K)). The
funds we acquire are for aquatic plant control.
Do any other state fish and wildlife agencies receive money from water
withdrawals? How much do you get, and do you know how that amount was decided
upon? We're looking to try to increase the amount, but want some kind of
precedent.
Here's the wording of the law, in case you're interested:
J. The state shall be reimbursed at fair market value for all use or withdrawal
of running surface water from bodies of water managed by the Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries and determined by the office of fisheries to be
negatively impacted by invasive aquatic vegetation. Fair market value as used
in this Subsection shall be at a rate of not more than fifteen cents per
thousand gallons, and shall not include the economic development, employment,
and increased tax revenues created by the activities associated with the
withdrawal of running surface water.
K. All monies collected by the state pursuant to this Chapter as a
result of the use or withdrawal of surface water shall be deposited into the
Aquatic Plant Control Fund as established in R.S. 56:10.1, and shall be used
for the treatment of aquatic weed, preferably on the body of water from which
revenues were generated.
Thanks,
[/Users/MelissaFox/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Outlook/Data/Library/Caches/Signatures/signature_1683317867]
Robby Maxwell - Inland Fisheries Technical Advisor
LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
rmaxwell@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:rmaxwell@xxxxxxxxxx>
www.wlf.louisiana.gov<http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/>
1213 N. Lakeshore Dr.
Lake Charles, LA 70601
337.491.2575 Ext. 3019