(1) No rights to divert or store public surface waters of WRIA 1 shall hereafter be granted which shall conflict with the purpose of this chapter except as provided in RCW 90.54.020 (3)(a).

(2) Consistent with the provisions of chapter 90.54 RCW, it is the policy of the department to preserve an appropriate minimum instream flow in all perennial streams and rivers as well as the water levels in all lakes in the Nooksack WRIA by encouraging the use of alternate sources of water which include (a) groundwater, (b) storage water, or (c) acquisition of existing water rights.