A proposal to create the Water Protection Act of 2001 is currently progressing through the Illinois legislature. It requires approval from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the construction and operation of any groundwater or surface water withdrawal facility with a pumping capacity greater than 2 million gallons per day. Approval may also be required, according to the rule, for smaller facilities if they adversely impact the availability of water for other existing uses. The Act does not apply to existing water withdrawal facilities.