Missouri lawmakers, looking to drier future, vote to restrict water exports
JEFFERSON CITY — Exporting large amounts of water outside of Missouri would be illegal without a permit under a plan heading to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk.
Members of the House voted 116-23 on legislation first floated last year that aims to address concerns about other states seeking Missouri’s abundant freshwater supplies.
“Historically, water has not been a scarce natural resource in Missouri,” Rep. Cameron Parker, R-Campbell, who carried the bill in the House.
But lawmakers said they are concerned investors will form companies to capitalize on water scarcity in drier western states.
“This is the biggest opportunity we have to protect our future generations,” said Rep. Tricia Byrnes, R-Wentzville.
“What’s so important is that we control our resources,” said Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore, D-St. Louis. “If we don’t do this now, corporations will come in and siphon our water.”
Under the measure, anyone seeking to withdraw water from any source in Missouri via pipeline would need permission from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The legislation includes a provision that will allow for some limited cross-border exports.
It also outlines a permit application process through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Within 180 days of the application, the department can approve or deny a proposal for other states to export water from Missouri.
Bottled or packaged water meant for human consumption would not be affected by the new rules. Exporters also would have to track and report usage to the state.
The water export legislation is backed by Missouri’s farm lobbying groups, as well as environmental organizations.
“This is a huge deal,” said Rep. Renee Reuter, R-Imperial. “I don’t feel comfortable making a decision on this today.”
Rep. Colin Wellenkamp, R-St. Charles, said Missouri should take action against the threat of other states seeking to tap into the state’s rivers and lakes.
“Our state just went through three years of drought. The droughts out west… they are turning a thirsty eye to Missouri,” Wellenkamp said.
The state’s largest water user, Missouri American Water, which provides drinking water to cities across the state, supports the plan. The company currently exports water to a casino in Oklahoma that would not be affected by the new rule.
Other states including Iowa, Oklahoma and Nebraska have put similar rules in place. States in the Great Lakes region also have limited exports of water beyond the limits of their watersheds.
The legislation is Senate Bill 82.
People can now walk to Tower Rock, an attraction normally surrounded by the Mississippi River and only accessible by boat in Perry County, Missouri. Foot traffic to the rock formation has been made possible because of near record low water levels along the river. Lack of rainfall in recent weeks has left the Mississippi River approaching record low levels in some areas from Missouri south through Louisiana. The unusually low water level in the lower Mississippi River, where there has been below-normal rainfall since late August, has also led to chaos — causing barges to get stuck in mud and sand, leading to waterway restrictions from the Coast Guard and disrupting river travel for shippers, recreational boaters and passengers on a cruise line. Water levels are projected to drop even further in the weeks ahead, dampening the region’s economic activity and potentially threatening jobs.
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