Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1086.1

State water plan.

A. All of the people have a primary interest in the orderly and

coordinated control, protection, management, conservation,

development and utilization of the water resources of the state.

The people residing within areas where waters originate benefit from

the optimum development and utilization of water within the area of

origin. The people in water deficient areas benefit by being able

to use excess and surplus waters. The policy of the State of

Oklahoma is to encourage the use of surplus and excess water to the

extent that the use thereof is not required by people residing

within the area where such water originates. In order to maximize

the alternatives available for the use and benefit of the public and

water-user entities and for the use and benefit of the public and

for the general welfare and future economic growth of the state, it

is therefore the purpose of this act to provide means for the

expeditious and coordinated preparation of a comprehensive state

water plan and decennial updates thereof for submission to the

Legislature providing for the management, protection, conservation,

structural and nonstructural development and utilization of water

resources of this state, in accordance with the following

principles:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 264

1. Multiple-purpose dams and reservoir sites, both existing and

planned or under construction as of the effective date of this act

or amendment thereof, within the area where excess or surplus water

originates and elsewhere, should be utilized to the maximum;

2. Water should be stored during periods of surplus supply for

use during periods of short supply; such storage should be in the

area of usage. In such cases where storage in the area of origin

may be permitted, the purchasing entities shall pay to the county of

origin, in lieu of ad valorem taxes and as part of the total cost of

the purchase of the water, an amount computed by averaging the tax

on land similar to the land taken off the tax rolls as a result of

the construction of such storage facilities within the county of

origin;

3. Water use within Oklahoma should be developed to the maximum

extent feasible for the benefit of Oklahoma so that out-of-state

downstream users will not acquire vested rights therein to the

detriment of the citizens of this state;

4. Only excess or surplus water should be utilized outside of

the areas of origin and citizens within the areas of origin have a

prior right to water originating therein to the extent that it may

be required for beneficial use therein;

5. All citizens, municipalities and other water-user entities

in need of water for beneficial use shall be entitled to appropriate

water and vest rights therein in accordance with priorities as

provided by law, and shall be entitled to cause same to be made

available to the water user in the most practicable and feasible

manner; and

6. Statutory power of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in the

granting of water rights to those citizens, municipalities and other

water-user entities who utilize such water for beneficial use shall

be preserved.

B. The exercise of the powers granted by this act are in all

respects for the benefit of the people of the state, for the

increase of their commerce and prosperity and for the improvement of

their health and living conditions. The primary purpose governing

all exercise of powers hereunder shall be to maximize and not to

minimize the alternatives available to all citizens, municipalities

and other water-user entities in acquiring water for beneficial use.