The Legislature finds and declares as follows:

(a) A substantial increase has occurred in the number of requests to appropriate water from the various streams and watercourses of this state, especially for the purpose of generating electric energy.

(b) These requests, if approved without due regard for their cumulative effect on streamflows, could adversely affect, to a serious and significant degree, the fish and wildlife resources dependent on those streams and watercourses.

(c) These fish and wildlife resources are important for the entire state and are inextricably linked to the continued economic viability of industries, such as the fishing industry, which are desirable and important components of the state’s economy.

(Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1478, Sec. 1.)