High-Capacity Wells: A Survey of Groundwater Withdrawal Rights and Regulations

Topic:

Agricultural irrigation accounts for the single largest use of groundwater in the United States and serving this use often requires using high-capacity wells. Regulation of high-capacity wells is left largely to the separate states and oftentimes is not well-integrated with those states’ surface water regulations.  The result is often inefficient and piecemeal regulations and policies that can have negative economic and environmental consequences.

This webinar will explore the various legal approaches governing the right to withdraw and groundwater generally, as well as the regulatory frameworks in place for groundwater withdrawals via high-capacity wells. It will also discuss recent legal decisions and policy approaches that inform the evolving discussion regarding how these types of withdrawals might best be regulated.

 

Time and Date:

   

 Wednesday, March 17th, 2021

12:00 – 1:00 (EST)

11:00 – 12:00 (CST)

Participation:

This webinar was recorded on March 17, 2021. To view a recording of this webinar, click here.

Presenters:

Linda Reid has effectively merged her lifelong love of Lake Michigan with her professional life as the owner of Water365, LLC, where she works collaboratively with individuals and organizations to support freshwater sustainability and climate resilience efforts through capacity development, technical consulting, and coaching.

Formerly the Executive Director of Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust (Sweet Water) and the Director of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Institute for Water Business, she has over 15 years of experience with industry, government, and academic organizations in the freshwater space, focusing mainly on policy and legal issues. Linda earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law and previously worked in the private sector as an attorney and in academia as a tenured associate professor teaching business and water law courses.

Linda has an adult son, Cale, who lives in New York, and a Whippet named Tadhg who lives with her in Milwaukee. She enjoys kayaking, beachcombing, riding her motorcycle, and traveling to Ireland.

Research & Materials:

Report: High-Capacity Wells:  A Survey of Groundwater Withdrawal Rights and Regulations

Chart: High-Capacity Wells:  A Survey of Groundwater Withdrawal Rights and Regulations

HCW Webinar Slides