Arkansas Code Title 15. Natural Resources and Economic Development § 15-22-503. Arkansas Water Plan

(a) Under such rules as it may adopt, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission is charged with the duty of preparing, developing, formulating, and engaging in a comprehensive program for the orderly development and management of the state's water and related land resources, to be referred to as the “Arkansas Water Plan”.

(b) The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission shall be governed in its preparation of the plan by a regard for the public interest of the entire state. It shall direct its efforts to protect the water resources of the state, including boundary waters, against unwarranted encroachments by other states and the United States upon its sovereignty with respect thereto. Any attempt to transport or export any of such waters against the best interests of the State of Arkansas and its inhabitants shall be strongly opposed.

(c) The plan shall give due consideration to existing water rights of the state and its inhabitants and shall take into account modes and procedures for the equitable adjustment of individual water rights affected by the implementation of the plan. The plan shall be the state policy for the development of water and related land resources in this state and, from time to time, shall be altered, amended, or repealed to the extent necessary for the proper administration of the state's water resources.

(d) All state agencies, commissions, and political subdivisions shall take the plan into consideration in all matters pertaining to the discharge of their respective duties and responsibilities as they may affect the comprehensive plan, but nothing in the plan shall be construed as to impair any water right existing under the laws of this state.