In exercising its responsibilities under this chapter, the department shall take into consideration the need for:

1. (1) adequate supplies of surface and groundwaters of suitable quality for all uses, including domestic, municipal, agricultural, and industrial;
2. (2) water of suitable quality for all purposes;
3. (3) water availability for recreational and commercial needs;
4. (4) hydroelectric power;
5. (5) flood damage control or prevention measures including zoning to protect people, property, and productive lands from flood losses;
6. (6) land stabilization measures;
7. (7) drainage measures, including salinity control;
8. (8) watershed protection and management measures;
9. (9) outdoor recreational and fish and wildlife opportunities;
10. (10) studies on saltwater intrusion into groundwater and surface water;
11. (11) measures to protect the state's fisheries and other aquatic resources;
12. (12) any other means by which development of water and related land resources can contribute to economic growth and development, the long-term preservation of water resources, and the general well-being of all the people of the State.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 70-25; 1967 (55) 60; 1969 (56) 72; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1244; 2008 Act No. 344, Section 1, eff six months after approval (approved June 11, 2008); 2019 Act No. 73 (H.4011), Section 2, eff May 16, 2019; 2023 Act No. 60 (S.399), Section 5, eff July 1, 2024.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment, in item (c), substituted "for recreational and commercial needs" for "facilities".

2019 Act No. 73, Section 2, in (a), substituted "all uses, including domestic, municipal, agricultural, and industrial" for "domestic, municipal, agricultural, and industrial uses"; in (b), deleted "quality facilities and controls to assure water" following "Water"; in (c), substituted "Water availability" for "Water navigation"; and inserted (j) and (k) and redesignated (j) as (l).

2023 Act No. 60, Section 5, made nonsubstantive changes throughout the section.