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, n ~J ~. It ..1 :: . . Character of regulation In general. - Regulation of 9round water under a statute based upon priority of appro~rlatlon necessarl II involves In the first instance recognition and preservation of preexisting rights, procedure for acquiring new rights, and determination or a~judlc;Jtlon of water rights, heretofore discussed. Statutes n~t basea on pllorlty of apprcprlation do not purport to disturb or to enlarge the exirting basis of ground water rights In the jurlsC:,ction, but th(lY are concerned with existing uses of ground water and wi th new uses. ';;'lder both appro- priation and nonappropriatlon statutes, resulatlon of ground water includes protection and conservation of the ground water sup~ly, Instal- lation of wells, supervision over withdrawal of water, and prevention or correction of overdr~ft -- functions thut will be dealt with presently. It also Includes registration of we!ls, reports from w;lter users, and promulgation of rules and regulatlo;ls. Enfor~ of regulation. - Some ground water statutes authorize the State administrator lo enter upon private lands In order to examine wells and obtain required data. In a numbor of States, officials may bring action to enjoin violations of the statute; In 2 of them, they may Intervene in court actions to prevent depletion of ground water supplies. Artesian conservancy districts In New Mexico have concurrent authority with the Stete Engineer to enforce regulatory provisions of the statute where waters within the respective districts are affected. The State Engineer may Intervene In proceedings brought by or against these districts when necessary to protect or adjudicate rights In the pub 11 c waters. VIolation of any provIsion of the ground water statute Is generally declared to be a misdemeanor. Protection and conservation of ground water supply Western ground water legislation is replete with prohibitions against depletion and unnecessary waste and pollution of grOutl::! water supplies, and with directions that wasteful practices be brought under contru 1. There are a number of broad legislative declarations of policy. Amon9 these are that of Hawaii that the ground water rer.ources of all areas must be protected from the threat of exhaustion, depletion, waste, pollution, and deterioration by salt water encroachment; Idaho, directing the State administrator to do all things reasonably necessary to prevent depletion of ground water resources; Nebraska, that conser- vation and beneficial use of ground water are essential to the future well being of the State; Nevada, that It Is the intent of the legiSla- ture to prevent waste and pollutIon of ground water; Oregon, that - 10 -