It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Oklahoma to encourage and promote the optimum development and utilization of all feasible reservoir sites or areas within this state which may be suitable and usable for the conservation storage of the waters of this state by the construction or enlargement of dams, reservoirs or other structures. It is the purpose of this act to provide or assist in providing for the acquisition, development and utilization of storage and control facilities of the waters of this state for the use and benefit of the public and for the conservation and distribution of water for useful purposes in or from reservoirs or other storage facilities constructed, or hereafter constructed, modified or enlarged, within the State of Oklahoma by the United States of America or the State of Oklahoma or any agency, department, subdivision or instrumentality thereof, for the following and specific reasons and benefits for the general welfare and the future economic growth of the state:

1. Multiple-purpose dam and reservoir sites are very limited in number and not replaceable.

2. Water management in Oklahoma requires the storage of water during periods of surplus supply for use during periods of short supply.

3. Most reservoir sites in Oklahoma will have a useful life of seventy-five to several hundred years. Therefore, it is imperative that the reservoir sites be developed to the full potential of the site and the net water yield of the drainage area after all present and future needs and beneficial uses of water are satisfied above said site.

4. The conservation of soil and water in Oklahoma requires the continuation of watershed protection and flood prevention programs on an accelerated priority basis with consideration given to future water needs of the area.

Added by Laws 1972, c. 253, § 17.