Permitting is one of the major activities at YMD. All wells drilled with a casing diameter of 6” or greater are required by law to have a permit. These permits are good for 5 years. The Department of Environmental Quality began the permitting process in 1985. YMD began assisting DEQ with permits that had incomplete information by contacting farmers individually or by physically inspecting the wells. By 1992, YMD had assumed the responsibility of processing new applications for a few of the Delta counties. YMD had one employee dedicated to the permitting process. Then the District began developing a computerized process by which permits were handled. By 1993, YMD was responsible for processing all new agriculture permits in the Mississippi Delta.

In 1995, the first wells which were originally permitted came up for renewal. Realizing the difficulty farmers had with the permit process, YMD developed computerized applications with verified information printed on them.  

These applications were now being generated with our permitting database. These changes made the renewal process much simpler. 

The District now has 6 employees working in permitting. Since the renewal process began, the accuracy of information has improved greatly.  All permit applications received by YMD are processed and recommended once a month to the State Permit Board in Jackson.

The ability to work with landowners and assist them in a process required by the State is an important service offered by YMD.

80% of the water use permits in Mississippi are in the Delta.