(b)

1. (1) Since September 30, 2006, owners of wells extending into sustaining aquifers, including the Sparta aquifer, have been required to install metering devices to their wells.
2. (2) The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission will seek opportunities to purchase, install, and read meters on selected wells drilled into the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer.

(c)

1. (1) The commission will develop and implement conjunctive water management strategies based on storing surface water during months when excess water is available for use during the summer irrigation months when excess surface water is not available.
2. (2) Surface water supplies should be developed to support sustainable groundwater use.

3. (3) During periods of water shortage, however, public water systems have:

   1. (A) Priority; and
   2. (B) A reserved water right.

4. (4) The nonriparian users of water storage development projects are subordinate, and this may mean that during periods of drought they:

   1. (A) Would receive no water; and
   2. (B) Could suffer economic loss.