{"data":{"id":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-82-82-1085.17","jurisdiction":"us-ok","citation":"Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.17","heading":"State policy - Purpose","body":"It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Oklahoma\n\nto encourage and promote the optimum development and utilization of\n\nall feasible reservoir sites or areas within this state which may be\n\nsuitable and usable for the conservation storage of the waters of\n\nthis state by the construction or enlargement of dams, reservoirs or\n\nother structures. It is the purpose of this act to provide or\n\nassist in providing for the acquisition, development and utilization\n\nof storage and control facilities of the waters of this state for\n\nthe use and benefit of the public and for the conservation and\n\ndistribution of water for useful purposes in or from reservoirs or\n\nother storage facilities constructed, or hereafter constructed,\n\nmodified or enlarged, within the State of Oklahoma by the United\n\nStates of America or the State of Oklahoma or any agency,\n\ndepartment, subdivision or instrumentality thereof, for the\n\nfollowing and specific reasons and benefits for the general welfare\n\nand the future economic growth of the state:\n\n1. Multiple-purpose dam and reservoir sites are very limited in\n\nnumber and not replaceable.\n\n2. Water management in Oklahoma requires the storage of water\n\nduring periods of surplus supply for use during periods of short\n\nsupply.\n\n3. Most reservoir sites in Oklahoma will have a useful life of\n\nseventy-five to several hundred years. Therefore, it is imperative\n\nthat the reservoir sites be developed to the full potential of the\n\nsite and the net water yield of the drainage area after all present\n\nand future needs and beneficial uses of water are satisfied above\n\nsaid site.\n\n4. The conservation of soil and water in Oklahoma requires the\n\ncontinuation of watershed protection and flood prevention programs\n\non an accelerated priority basis with consideration given to future\n\nwater needs of the area.","path":["OK Code","Title 82"],"source_url":"https://www.oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os82.pdf","current_through":"2026-08-14","vintage":"open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T18:32:36Z","sha256":"66aaf3975f2d7f927940562879a63610c2c922b6316a431ed5c13379bd8cf4bd","source_id":"us-ok","stale":false,"prev":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-82-82-1085.16","next":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-82-82-1085.18"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}