A. All of the people have a primary interest in the orderly and coordinated control, protection, management, conservation, development and utilization of the water resources of the state. The people residing within areas where waters originate benefit from the optimum development and utilization of water within the area of origin. The people in water deficient areas benefit by being able to use excess and surplus waters. The policy of the State of Oklahoma is to encourage the use of surplus and excess water to the extent that the use thereof is not required by people residing within the area where such water originates. In order to maximize the alternatives available for the use and benefit of the public and water-user entities and for the use and benefit of the public and for the general welfare and future economic growth of the state, it is therefore the purpose of this act to provide means for the expeditious and coordinated preparation of a comprehensive state water plan and decennial updates thereof for submission to the Legislature providing for the management, protection, conservation, structural and nonstructural development and utilization of water resources of this state, in accordance with the following principles:

1. Multiple-purpose dams and reservoir sites, both existing and planned or under construction as of the effective date of this act or amendment thereof, within the area where excess or surplus water originates and elsewhere, should be utilized to the maximum;

2. Water should be stored during periods of surplus supply for use during periods of short supply; such storage should be in the area of usage. In such cases where storage in the area of origin may be permitted, the purchasing entities shall pay to the county of origin, in lieu of ad valorem taxes and as part of the total cost of the purchase of the water, an amount computed by averaging the tax on land similar to the land taken off the tax rolls as a result of the construction of such storage facilities within the county of origin;

3. Water use within Oklahoma should be developed to the maximum extent feasible for the benefit of Oklahoma so that out-of-state downstream users will not acquire vested rights therein to the detriment of the citizens of this state;

4. Only excess or surplus water should be utilized outside of the areas of origin and citizens within the areas of origin have a prior right to water originating therein to the extent that it may be required for beneficial use therein;

5. All citizens, municipalities and other water-user entities in need of water for beneficial use shall be entitled to appropriate water and vest rights therein in accordance with priorities as provided by law, and shall be entitled to cause same to be made available to the water user in the most practicable and feasible manner; and

6. Statutory power of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in the granting of water rights to those citizens, municipalities and other water-user entities who utilize such water for beneficial use shall be preserved.

B. The exercise of the powers granted by this act are in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity and for the improvement of their health and living conditions. The primary purpose governing all exercise of powers hereunder shall be to maximize and not to minimize the alternatives available to all citizens, municipalities and other water-user entities in acquiring water for beneficial use.

Laws 1974, c. 25, § 1, emerg. eff. April 10, 1974; Laws 1992, c. 48, § 1, eff. July 1, 1992.