PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
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August 23, 2013
OKFB kicks off first round of August Area Meetings Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are currently meeting statewide to begin the annual policy development process during August Area Meetings. District leaders meet with OKFB staff members to learn about current and upcoming legislation and have the opportunity to present local issues of concern for staff members to research. “We want our members to have a voice during this important grassroots policy development process, and meeting with them allows us to understand their priorities,” said John Collison, OKFB vice president of public policy and media relations. “We are also able to educate them about current discussions going on in the state and national political arenas so they can be well-informed when proposing policy.” Water continues to be the most popular topic, as members discuss water supplies in different areas of the state. Creating infrastructure to move water, the control of groundwater and surface water, and the prospect of selling water are all conversations taking place at the meetings. Other areas of interest include property rights, feral hog eradication, energy and the impending farm bill.
Leadership Team member Roberta Hughes updates Dist. 8 members during their meeting, Aug. 12.
Washita Co. FB President Larry Peck visits with Sen. Mike Schulz during the Dist. 2 meeting, Aug. 13.
Dist. 3 members review public policy materials before their meeting, Aug. 13.
YF&R Chairman Mason Bolay talks about the committee’s activities during the Dist. 7 meeting, Aug. 15.
Arbuckle-Simpson water usage still under review By LeeAnna Covington OKFB Director of National Affairs The Arbuckle-Simpson groundwater basin covers approximately 520 square miles across Carter, Coal, Johnston, Murray and Pontotoc Counties. The basin provides Oklahomans a water source for a variety of uses, including farming and ranching. In Oklahoma, groundwater is considered to be private property belonging to the surface owner. Although this concept seems particularly straightforward, it has proven otherwise. A variety of groups and individuals are concerned about the quantity of water that may be withdrawn from the ArbuckleSimpson basin in the future. However, Oklahoma Farm Bureau has supported its members who are concerned the outcome
will severely limit how much water will be available for future use. In 2003, legislation was passed imposing a moratorium on the issuance of temporary ground water permits for certain water supplies overlying particular areas. The legislation specifies a time period the moratorium shall remain in effect, until the OWRB conducts and completes a hydrological study and approves a Maximum Annual Yield subject to specifications. A Maximum Annual Yield (MAY) is used to describe an amount of groundwater that can be withdrawn while allowing a minimum 20-year life of the basin. Determining a MAY is a four step process: hydraulic investigation,
tentative determination, public hearing(s) and final order (determination) issuance. In September 2011, the hydrological study was published, however the MAY determination process is ongoing. The OWRB is currently evaluating all evidence and in the process of making a final determination. The determination will likely be announced in the fall. OKFB has been a long time advocate for private property rights. The organization supports the property owners’ rights to use any water above or below ground on their property as specified by state law. If you have questions please contact LeeAnna Covington at leeanna.covington@okfb.com.