(1) The purpose of this chapter is to retain perennial rivers, streams, and lakes in the Stillaguamish River basin with instream flows and levels necessary to protect and preserve wildlife, fish, scenic, aesthetic, recreation, water quality and other environmental values, navigational values, and stock water requirements.

(2) The chapter creates a reservation of adequate and safe supplies of potable water to satisfy human domestic needs, and reservations for stock watering.

(3) This chapter sets forth the department's policies to guide the protection, utilization and management of Stillaguamish River basin surface water and interrelated groundwater resources. It establishes instream flows and closures, and sets forth a program for administration of future water allocation and use. This chapter does not relieve anyone from compliance with relevant statutory requirements.