JEFFERSON CITY — Detailed information regarding “major water users†on Missouri farmland would not be subject to disclosure under a proposal moving through the Legislature.
A is an individual or entity able to produce 100,000 gallons per day from any source such as a stream, lake or well.
Currently, these users are with the Department of Natural Resources and report their annual water usage. The registration form contains information such as the name and location of the water user, the water source, where water will be diverted to, how it will be diverted and the amount diverted on an average day of operation.
Under the proposed , for water usage connected with farming, this information would be confidential and prohibited from disclosure, even in response to a request made pursuant to the state’s Sunshine Law.
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The information could be released, however, in response to a subpoena or court order, and the department could disclose aggregate water usage in each county and the number of major water users.
“This is designed to protect the privacy of our farmers,†bill sponsor Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, told a panel of lawmakers last week.
“There have been recent issues ... where different environmental groups have sought this information about farmers in Missouri through records requests,†he said. “There’s been, I think, at least a couple of examples of individuals that have shown up on farmland protesting because of their belief that a particular farmer is using too much water.â€
Rep. Adrian Plank, D-Columbia, said he was concerned larger companies may be using legislation to hide information that could be used to hold them accountable.
“I just fear that we’re doing this under the guise of protecting farmers, when we’re just really protecting multinational corporations,†Plank said.
Luetkemeyer said he heard from DNR that privacy protections could encourage compliance with water usage reporting laws because there is currently no enforcement mechanism for reporting requirements.
A DNR spokesperson said the department’s policy is to not comment on pending legislation.
This legislation is .