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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />,I <br /> <br />',' <br /> <br />STATE WATER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY AND SELECTED ACTIVITIES <br /> <br />The states have broad water conservation authority. As previously <br /> <br /> <br />described, the appropriations doctrine is an important part of <br /> <br />comprehensive state water resources management. The efficient <br /> <br />use of water is fundamental to western water, law. The following <br /> <br />is a brief state by state overview of present state water <br /> <br />conservation authority. It also covers selected innovative and <br /> <br />successful state and local water conservation activities. Both <br /> <br />supply and demand-side measures are included. <br /> <br />Alaska <br /> <br />Alaska is a water rich state and conservation measures are <br /> <br />generally initiated at the local level. Responsibility for water <br /> <br />conservation lies with the Departments of Environmental Conservation <br /> <br />and Natural Resources. The state has authority to control water <br /> <br />use. The Alaska constitution reserves natural waters to the people <br /> <br />for common use, and generally all surface and subsurface waters <br /> <br />are subject to appropriation for beneficial use_ The Commissioner <br /> <br />of the Department of Natural Resources is authorized to issue <br /> <br />permits to appropriate water, and may condition a permit to require <br /> <br />metering .J!' :Jcher conservation measures. The Commissioner is <br /> <br />also directed to participate in matters relating to the appropriation, <br /> <br />conservation and control of waters. Further, when adequate water <br /> <br />is not available from the same source to supply all local <br /> <br /> <br />appropriators, the Commissioner determines "preferred use" status <br /> <br />"" <br />