OCR Text |
Show DELAWARE 189 tion (a) (2) is an insertion made by a 1970 amendment. With that explanation, section 7-6001 is quoted below: (a) In view of the rapid growth of population, agriculture, industry, and other economic activities, the water and air resources of the State must be protected, conserved, and controlled to assure their reasonable and beneficial use in the interest of the people of the State. Therefore, it is the policy of this State that: (1) The development, utilization, and control of all water, underwater and air resources shall be directed to make the maximum contribution to the public benefit, and (2) The State, in the exercise of its sovereign power, acting through the water and air resources commission established under subchapter II of this chapter, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control should control the development and use of the water, underwater and air resources of the State so as to effectuate full utilization, conservation, and protection of the water and air resources of the State. (b) The general assembly hereby makes the following findings concerning the development, utilization, and control of the water, underwater, and air resources of the State: (1) The development, utilization, and control of the water, underwater, and air resources of the State are vital to the people in order to assure ade- quate supplies for domestic, industrial, power, agricultural, recreational, and other beneficial uses. (2) The development and utilization of water, underwater, and air re- sources must be regulated to assure that the water, underwater, and air resources of the State are employed for beneficial uses and not wasted. (3) The regulation of the development and utilization of the water, under- water, and air resources of the State is essential to product beneficial uses and to assure adequate supplies for beneficial users. (4) The water, underwater, and air resources of the State must be protected and conserved to assure adequate supplies for public recreational purposes and for the conservation of wildlife and aquatic life. (5) The water, underwater, and air resources of the State must be protected from pollution in the interest of the health and safety of the public. (6) The water, underwater, and air resources of the State can best be utilized, conserved, and protected if utilization thereof is restricted to beneficial uses and controlled by a State agency responsible for proper development and utilization of the water, underwater, and air resources of the State. (7) Planning for the development and utilization of water, underwater, and air resources is essential in view of population growth and the expanding economic activity within the State. (c) It is the purpose of this part to effectuate these policies by providing for: (1) A program for the control of the utilization of the water, underwater, and air resources of the State so directed as to make the maximum contribu- tion to the interests of the people of this State (2) A program for the control of pollution of the water, underwater, and air resources of the State to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; (3) A program for the protection and conservation of the water, under- water, and air resources of the State, for public recreational purposes, and for the conservation of wildlife and aquatic life; (4) A program of conducting and fostering research and development in order to encourage maximum utilization of the water, underwater, and air re- sources of the State; and (5) A program for cooperating with Federal, interstate, State, local govern- mental agencies and utilities in the development and utilization of water, underwater, and air resources. The Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Gov- ernor, but the membership must include the Water Commissioners of the city of Wilmington and four of the other six members must be residents of certain areas designated in the statute.31 The Gov- 81 Sec. 7-6002(a). |