Missouri lawmakers voted last week to make it unlawful to export water outside the state without a permit.
With the state under a lengthy drought alert and western states facing dwindling supplies, the House gave preliminary approval to the measure on a 115-25 vote.
The sponsor, Rep. Jamie Burger, R-Benton, said the legislation was inspired by concerns that dry states would seek to tap into water sources like the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
“Water is our most precious resource,” Burger said.
“I think it’s important to note the water wars are coming,” said Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore, a St. Louis County Democrat.
Under the legislation, anyone seeking to withdraw water from any source in Missouri via pipeline would need permission from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The measure, which needs one additional vote in the House before heading to the Senate for further debate, includes a provision that will allow for some limited cross-border exports.
In November, Gov. Mike Parson extended Missouri’s drought alert until May 1.
Currently, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly 50% of Missouri is abnormally dry with another 30% in moderate or severe drought. The driest part of the state currently is in the area around Washington and Iron counties.
Extending the alert will allow the state’s Drought Assessment Committee and associated teams to continue supporting affected communities throughout the winter and continue to expand the state’s capabilities to respond to and lessen the effect of future droughts, Parson said.
It is among a number of bills moving in the General Assembly this year that shine a spotlight on Missouri’s environment. Lawmakers, for example, are trying to regulate the spreading of meatpacking waste on agricultural land in order to avoid polluting water supplies.
The water export legislation is backed by Missouri’s farm lobbying groups.
The Missouri Farm Bureau, for example, issued a statement of support, saying water is a critical resource to production agriculture.
The Missouri Public Utility Alliance also supports the proposal.
“This is a good step in securing the water resources that are contained in Missouri are used for Missouri residents’ beneficial use,” the organization said.
The legislation is House Bill 2153.
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH