This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.
Fiscal Note - SB 0608 - DNR to Issue Water Qual. Certif. w/in 90 Days of Pub. Notice
L.R. NO. 2446-01
BILL NO. SB 608
SUBJECT: Water Quality Certification
TYPE: Original
DATE: January 15, 1996
FISCAL SUMMARY
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
General Revenue $0 ($479,215) ($343,219)
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
State Funds $0 ($479,215) ($343,219)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
None
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
Local Government $0 $0 $0
FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
The Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Highway and Transportation
Department (DHT) assumed there would be no fiscal impact to their agencies
from this proposal.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) assumes the staff time required to
process water quality certifications would increase if the permits were
required to be issued within 90 days of the joint public notice. Presently,
DNR relies on field reports and investigations of other federal agencies when
evaluating the water quality permit applications. If the DNR were compelled
to issue the certifications within the proposed timeframes, in many cases,
the information generated by the other agencies would not yet be available.
Therefore, DNR would be required to spend staff time conducting their own
research. Additionally, DNR assumes there will be a 50% increase in
applications due to changes in the project as described in the public notice
and the project ultimately to be approved by the Corps of Engineers.
DNR received approximately 1,650 applications for 401 Water Quality
Certifications in 1995.
DNR estimates twenty hours for the average permit, if DNR, rather than
another agency, is required to do a site visit. DNR assumes they will
have to do site visits for 700 applications.
DNR estimates 5 hours of additional time per application for the
remaining 950 (1,650 - 700) applications.
DNR estimates 3 hours for the estimated 825 (1,650 x .50) applications
that will be resubmitted due to the changes in the scope of the initial
project.
DNR assumed they would request eight Environmental Specialists, seven to be
located in the regional offices, to conduct site visits, coordinate
applications and review projects. The FTEs located in the regions will be
conducting site visits to remote locations on a routine basis. DNR estimated
the FTE would be in the field 70% of the time. Therefore, the department
would request one 4-wheel drive vehicle for each of the six regional offices.
Oversight has reduced DNR's expense and equipment costs to bring them in line
with Office of Administration standards. Also rental costs have been
eliminated as Oversight assumes the new FTE will be located in existing
facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
(10 Mo.)
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
Costs - Department of Natural Resources
Personal Services $0 ($218,765) ($224,234)
Fringe Benefits 0 (67,205) (68,885)
Expense and Equipment 0 (193,245) (50,100)
Total Costs $0 ($479,215) ($343,219)
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
(10 Mo.)
$0 $0 $0
DESCRIPTION
The proposal would require the Department of Natural Resources to review and
issue or deny water quality certifications within ninety days following
issuance of a joint public notice by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
regardless of any on-going federal review.
This legislation is not federally mandated and would not require additional
capital improvements or rental space. It may duplicate Corps of Engineers
rule 33 CFR 325.2(b)(1)(ii).
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Highway and Transportation Department