Designation of Groundwater Protection Zone

(a)In order to implement measures to protect and preserve the integrity of underground water resources, the Agency shall prepare a groundwater protection zone map which defines those land areas which overlie existing and future groundwater development sites or provide recharge waters thereto. The groundwater protection zone map may from time to time be altered or modified based on new information including but not limited to, subsurface geological investigations, water quality analyses, climatological records, water level measurements, and hydrogeological studies and analyses. The Department of Land Management shall prepare a metes and bounds description of the land area designated the Administrator.

(b)Before the adoption of the groundwater protection zone map by the Agency or before said map is altered or modified, public hearings by the Agency shall be held in connection therewith. Notice of public hearings for the consideration, adoption or modification to the groundwater protection zone map shall indicate the time, date and place for such hearing and shall be published at least once a week for two

(2)consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.