SJR16 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Arthur OrrGerald O. Dial

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

State's stewardship role over water as a state resource, clarified

Summary

SJR16 clarifies that Alabama treats its water as a state resource under sovereign authority and directs state agencies to plan and regulate water use to protect health, safety, welfare, and the environment.

What This Bill Does

It states that the waters of the state are a natural resource under state sovereign power to plan and manage withdrawal and use. It aims to protect public health, safety, and welfare, promote economic growth, mitigate drought, resolve conflicts among water users, balance consumptive and non-consumptive uses, encourage conservation, prevent environmental degradation, and enhance productivity of water-related activities. It also directs the Alabama Office of Water Resources to coordinate with other agencies to reflect this stewardship in water resource planning and management.

Who It Affects

• General public in Alabama who benefit from clarified stewardship, drought mitigation, and protections for health and the environment
• Water users and resource managers (municipalities, farmers, industries) and state agencies responsible for water planning and regulation who are affected by the state’s authority to plan, regulate withdrawals and use, and coordinate planning

Key Provisions

• The waters of the state are a natural resource under the state's sovereign power to plan and manage withdrawal and use to protect health, safety, and welfare, and to promote growth.
• Authority is used to balance consumptive and non-consumptive uses, encourage conservation, prevent significant environmental degradation, mitigate drought, resolve conflicts among water users, and enhance productivity of water-related activities.
• The state aims to protect groundwater and guard against federal and interstate encroachment, and to ensure federal agencies understand the stewardship role in water and reservoir management.
• The Alabama Office of Water Resources is to work with other agencies to reflect this stewardship in ongoing water resource planning and management.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Water and Waterways