Section 142.01. Applicability; purpose.

 

(1)   Applicability. This chapter applies to any person withdrawing water from any waters of the state.

(2)   Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to protect and promote the conservation of the waters of the state; to provide for the management of the waters of the state through the development of a statewide water quantity resources plan; to register major withdrawals from the waters of the state; and to require departmental approval for major interbasin diversions and consumptive uses of water in order to protect public and private water rights in the state when the level, flow, use or quality of the waters of the state is threatened.