P.R. Laws tit. 5, § 4705
The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Electric Power Authority and any other agency or public corporation, shall facilitate the access to the public irrigation system for agricultural purposes, ensuring continuous water supply for irrigation to agricultural biotechnology companies, together with the farmers of the zone.
The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall expedite the evaluation and approval process of deep well water franchises to be used in areas without access to irrigation districts, or to complement or limit the risk of a lack of water in areas with access to irrigation districts. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall provide an expeditious mechanism to grant permits for new wells in areas where it is authorized by the corresponding regulation so as to provide reasonable deadlines to comply with the agricultural biotechnology companies expansion plans. Furthermore, it shall take the needs of agricultural biotechnology companies into account in the development of the Puerto Rico Comprehensive Plan for Water Use and their expansion plans when suggesting and regulating water use in Puerto Rico.
The Department of Agriculture shall consider the scientific advice of the United States Geological Service regarding the good use of aquifers and water supplies in Puerto Rico, as well as the “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Body of Water Management Act”.
History —Aug. 10, 2009, No. 62, § 7, eff. 30 days after Aug. 10, 2009.