MS Code § 51-3-21 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 51 - Waters, Water Resources, Water Districts, Drainage, and Flood Control|Chapter 3 - Water Resources; Regulation and Control|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 51-3-21. State water management plan

  The commission, through its Office of Land and Water Resources, shall proceed as rapidly as possible to study existing water resources in the state; means and methods of conserving and augmenting such waters; existing and contemplated needs and uses of water for protection and procreation of fish and wildlife, irrigation, mining, power development, and domestic, municipal, and industrial uses; and all other related subjects, including drainage, reclamation, flood-plain or flood-hazard area zoning, and selection of reservoir sites. Not later than July 1, 1997, the commission shall formulate, as a functional element of a comprehensive state plan, an integrated, coordinated plan for the use and development of the waters of the state, based on the above studies. This plan, with such amendments, supplements and additions as may be necessary from time to time, shall be known as the "state water management plan."   In the formulation of the state water management plan, the commission shall give due consideration to:   The attainment of maximum beneficial use of water for such purposes as those referred to in subsection (1).   The maximum economic development of the water resources consistent with other uses.   The control of such waters for such purposes as environmental protection, drainage, flood control and water storage.   The quantity of water available for application to a beneficial use.   The prevention of wasteful, uneconomical, impractical or unreasonable uses of water resources, including free-flowing wells, existing or otherwise, regardless of size.   Presently exercised domestic or exempted uses and permit rights.   The preservation and enhancement of the water quality of the state and the provisions of the state water quality plan.   The state water resources policy as expressed by this chapter.   The allocation of surface water and groundwater in those situations in which the Governor has declared that an emergency situation exists which creates an imminent and substantial endangerment threatening the public health and safety or the lives and property of the people of this state.     During the process of formulating or revising the state water management plan, the commission shall consult with and carefully evaluate the recommendations of concerned federal, state and local agencies, particularly the governing boards of the water management districts and local governments, and other interested persons. The commission may conduct such public meetings or hearings as it may deem necessary or appropriate to insure maximum public involvement in the formulation and adoption of the state water management plan.   Each such governing board is directed to cooperate with the commission in conducting surveys and investigations of water resources, to furnish the commission with all available data of a technical nature, and to advise and assist the commission in the formulation and drafting of those portions of the state plan applicable to such water management district or local government.   For the purposes of this plan the commission may, in consultation with the affected governing board, divide each water management district into sections which shall conform as nearly as practicable to hydrologically controllable areas and describe all water resources within each area.   The commission shall give careful consideration to the requirements of public recreation and to the protection and procreation of fish and wildlife. The commission may prohibit or restrict other future uses on certain designated bodies of water which may be inconsistent with these objectives.   The commission may designate certain uses in connection with a particular source of supply which, because of the nature of the activity or the amount of water required, would constitute an undesirable use for which the permit board may deny a permit.   The commission may designate certain uses in connection with a particular source of supply which, because of the nature of the activity or the amount of water required, would result in an enhancement or improvement of the water resources of the area. Such uses shall be preferred over other uses in the event of competing applications under the permitting system authorized by this chapter.   The commission may add to the state water management plan any other information, directions or objectives it deems necessary or desirable for the guidance of governing boards or other agencies in the administration and enforcement of this chapter.   The commission may delegate to any joint water management district authority to assist the commission in preparation, administration and implementation of the state water management plan, or any activity related thereto, in such district.