On Feb. 21, state Rep. Dan Moul, R-Adams County, penned a memo declaring his intention to make the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection the sole authority of the state’s groundwater.

According to Moul’s memo, the DEP would have the exclusive authority to regulate, impose fees, fines or penalties on the use, withdrawal or retention of groundwater within the state. The DEP would also be required to submit any new or amended regulations regarding groundwater to the state House of Representatives and Senate environmental resources and energy committees for approval of any regulations.