Special groundwater protection areas; designation

§ 55-0111. Special groundwater protection areas; designation.

1. The commissioner shall review all petitions of nomination for special groundwater protection areas. If a petition complies with all the requirements of section 55-0109 of this article, the commissioner shall certify such compliance and approve the petition. The commissioner shall determine within thirty days of receipt of the petition, the completeness of the petition and respond to the petitioner of his findings. The commissioner shall have ninety days from the date of receipt to certify in writing to the petitioner that a petition has been approved, approved with modifications, or disapproved. If a petition is disapproved, the commissioner shall include in the notification to the petitioner the reasons for disapproval and allow the petitioner to resubmit the petition. Any petition resubmission shall reinitiate the review process. If the commissioner does not respond to the petitioner within the time prescribed, the petition shall be considered to be approved.

2. Once a petition has been officially approved, the designated planning entity shall be eligible for such funds to develop the plan and comply with all the requirements of this article for a period not to exceed three years.