Existing conservation requirements are strengthened and necessary rule making authority is added. Data on water use is crucial. Conservation performance standards must be realistic and uniform. Incentives for conservation are needed, along with requirements to stop wasteful practices that attempt to assure retention of a right. Regulation of exempt wells will be based on need to regulate.
Local governments get better ability to plan for economic development and environmental impacts.
Shoreline master programs need to be updated everywhere, and funding is needed. Fish and Wildlife officers are already in the field and can efficiently help with compliance and education, as well as enforcement. Administrative enforcement, in addition to criminal penalties, is needed to realistically apply the hydraulic code. Regulation of capture of surface water by wells will be based on measurement and mitigation of effects. Increasing stream flows will have the most immediate effect on fish recovery.