Number: 1982-09
WHEREAS, riparian habitat and their dependent species are critically dependent upon the maintenance of minimum instream flows and stable groundwater levels; and
WHEREAS, diadromous and anadromous species require instream flow protection and maintenance for accessibility to and from the oceans and lakes; and
WHEREAS, consumptive uses of water often receive favored treatment under state law, thereby frustrating efforts to maintain instream and underground water supplies for conservation purposes; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has a public trust responsibility to manage the valuable water resources located on federal lands; and
WHEREAS, the conflict among competing users of water supplies may be minimized if federal water rights are quantified and asserted;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 18-21, 1982 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hereby expresses its support for quantification and assertion of federal water rights in instream flows and for other conservation purposes on federal lands, including parks, forests, refuges, wild and scenic rivers, wilderness areas and public lands except where conservation purposes are adequately protected by riparian law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls upon the states through their courts and legislatures to recognize and protect under state law water rights to surface and ground water for conservation purposes on an equal basis with consumptive uses of water.