Lee Harris plans workshop to draft water legislation

Memphis senator: Sand Aquifer is ‘cherished resource’

Declaring the Memphis Sand aquifer “one of our most cherished resources,” state Sen. Lee Harris said Wednesday he plans to convene a workshop after the General Assembly adjourns to draft a slate of proposed bills to protect it and other drinkingwater sources.

“We need to get this right,” the Memphis Democrat said in a prepared statement. “After the 2017 session ends, I intend to bring the various stakeholders together so we can craft legislation that emphasizes public input, but provides the right balance for the many various water uses.”

The current legislative session saw the introduction of several water-related bills, most of which were referred to committee for consideration next year. The bills include measures introduced by Harris and state Rep. G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, requiring a 14day notice and online announcement of proposed wells, and legislation calling for regional management or studies of the Memphis Sand.

Water resources became a major focal point in the aftermath of a proposal by the Tennessee Valley Authority to pump an average of 3.5 million gallons daily from the Memphis Sand to cool a natural gas-fired power plant under construction in Southwest Memphis. Although many environmentalists, utility officials and scientists opposed the pumping, saying it could suck contaminants into the source of Memphis’ drinking water, TVA ultimately received approval for it under existing local well regulations.

Harris said the introduction of the water bills elicited comments and responses from a variety of commercial, utility and agricultural users.

“Given the breadth and depth of that feedback, it’s going to take time to incorporate it all,” he said.

The workshop will convene in the fall, Harris said.

Rep. Ron Lollar, R-Bartlett, who also has backed water legislation, said he hadn’t heard about Harris’ plans for a workshop. But he said local and state officials have reason to be focused on the health of the aquifer. “I am concerned about the future of the aquifer,” he said.

Reach Tom Charlier at thomas.charlier@commercialappeal.com or 901-529-2572 and on Twitter at @thomasrcharlier.