Act 45, SLH 1987, the State Water Code, provided for a seven-member Review Commission on the State Water Code (RCSWC), attached to the LRB, and directly responsible to the Legislature.
The purpose of the RCSWC was to perform a comprehensive review of the state water code, and to develop recommendations for its improvement. The review was to include all water issues in the state water code, other water matters which should be included in the state water code, and the identification of agencies of the state and counties which should be responsible for developing, protecting and controlling water.
Act 45 specified that the RCSWC was to begin its work five years following passage of the state water code, and to complete its work two years after that, with the submission of a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature. The commission of seven members was appointed per Act 45 on September 25, 1992. Subsequently, Act 101, SLH 1994, increased the Commission membership from seven to nine. The two additional members were appointed on June 29, 1994.
The Commission held its first meeting on November 13, 1992. It approved its by-laws, contracted an executive director to run its day-to-day operations and initiated a program of research and study to identify the issues which needed to be addressed in its review, to include working and consulting with existing water agencies. The Commission conducted regular and executive meetings at frequent intervals until its final report was submitted, and a few times thereafter. It held its final meeting on December 13, 1995. Throughout this time, the Commission instituted a vigorous public information program, both to advise the public of its existence and its charter and to solicit public help in identifying major issues, providing perspective and commenting on the draft proposals of the Commission. The public affairs program included mailing flyers, etc., to an extensive list of individuals, corporations and interest groups; depositing reference materials in various state libraries; making presentations to professional and community groups; conducting or participating in various workshops and symposia; creating a newspaper insert; holding public informational meetings (in 1993) and public hearings (in 1994); and testifying before standing committees of the state legislature.
At the request of the legislative leadership, the Commission submitted an interim report, which identified the major issues to be addressed and provided a plan of action, to the 1994 legislature. Its final report, including a recommended revised state water code in the form of a draft bill, was submitted to the 1995 legislature.
The issues of water rights and water management was complex and sometimes contentious, as is reflected in the records of the Commission, which have been divided into two series: records of meetings and administrative records.
