US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

                                  TITLE  42
                       IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE -- WATER
                            RIGHTS AND RECLAMATION
                                  CHAPTER 17
                       DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES --
                             WATER RESOURCE BOARD
    42-1730.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. The legislature finds and declares that:
    (1)  The water resources and waterways of Idaho constitute a valuable
renewable resource;
    (2)  The welfare of the people of Idaho is dependent upon conservation,
development and optimum use of our water resources and waterways;
    (3)  State regulation of development and use of our water resources and
waterways is necessary to ensure water is available to meet the present and
future needs of the people of Idaho;
    (4)  The development of Idaho's water resources for hydropower,
irrigation, domestic, commercial, municipal, industrial and other uses in a
manner that considers competing uses and values provides important benefits to
the people of Idaho;
    (5)  Comprehensive planning is necessary to minimize conflicts between
competing uses and to ensure optimal protection of all beneficial uses of
water;
    (6)  A single state agency should formulate a comprehensive state water
plan;
    (7)  Selected rivers possessing outstanding fish and wildlife,
recreational, aesthetic, historic, cultural, natural or geologic values should
be protected for the public benefit and enjoyment;
    (8)  Section 401 of the federal clean water act gives the state
certification authority to regulate activities licensed or permitted by
federal agencies to insure the protection of the quality of state water; and
    (9)  The comprehensive state water plan required by this chapter shall not
alter any existing responsibilities, jurisdiction or planning functions of
state agencies established by state or federal law.