Chapter 90.54 RCW (the Water Resources Act of 1971) requires that utilization and management of the waters of the state shall be guided by a number of fundamentals, including the following:

"(1) Uses of water for domestic, stock watering, industrial, commercial, agricultural, irrigation, hydroelectric power production, mining, fish and wildlife maintenance and enhancement, recreational, and thermal power production purposes, and preservation of environmental and aesthetic values, and all other uses compatible with the enjoyment of the public waters of the state, are declared to be beneficial." (RCW 90.54.020(1).)

The act further specifies that "Perennial rivers and streams of the state shall be retained with base flows necessary to provide for preservation of wildlife, fish, scenic, aesthetic and other environmental values, and navigational values." (RCW 90.54.020 (3)(a).)

The purpose of this chapter is to satisfy the requirements of RCW 90.54.020 (3)(a) while, at the same time, allowing the continued use of water for other beneficial uses such as agriculture, which is acknowledged as a vital activity greatly benefiting the citizens of the Okanogan Basin and the state of Washington.