(1) The legislature has long acknowledged that water supply and availability around the state are becoming increasingly limited, particularly during summer and fall months and dry years when demand is greatest. Growth and prosperity have significantly increased the competition for this limited resource (RCW 90.54.090 (1)(a)). This chapter provides limited exceptions for new uses in the Stillaguamish River basin. However, there is a continuing need for ongoing and reliable sources for new water uses. This need dictates the continued development and use of alternative sources of water, such as:

• Reuse of reclaimed water;

• Artificial recharge and recovery;

• Multipurpose water storage facilities;

• Conservation and efficiency measures applied to existing uses and the transfer of saved water;

• Acquisition of existing water rights; and

• Establishment of a trust water rights program.

(2) Alternative sources of water of equal or better quality than a new source can be used to improve stream flows for fish, offset impacts of withdrawals on stream flows and provide sources of water for future out-of-stream uses.