Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.16: Time for putting water to beneficial use

A. Unless a schedule of use is provided by the Board as

authorized in this section, a regular permit shall require that the

whole of the amount of the water authorized by the permit be put to

beneficial use within a period of less than seven (7) years.

B. If, upon evidence presented to the Board, and considering

the present and future needs of the stream system of origin, it

appears that the proposed project, improvement or structure will

promote the optimal beneficial use of water in the state, and it

further appears that the total amount of water to be authorized by

the permit cannot be put to beneficial use within seven (7) years,

then the Board shall provide in the permit the time within which the

total amount to be authorized shall be put to beneficial use. This

time shall be the useful life of the proposed project, improvement

or structure as found by the Board. In order to insure orderly

progress toward total beneficial utilization within the said time

set by the Board, the Board shall provide in the permit a schedule

of times within which certain percentages of the total amount to be

authorized must be put to beneficial use.

C. Nothing in this act shall be deemed to reestablish any right

to the use of any water which has been lost by failure to use same

or by forfeiture prior to July 5, 1961.