[§174C-4]  Scope.  (a)  All waters ofthe State are subject to regulation under the provisions of this chapter unlessspecifically exempted.  No provision of this chapter shall apply to coastalwaters.  Nothing in this chapter to the contrary shall restrict the planning orzoning power of any county under chapter 46.

(b)  No state or county government agency mayenforce any statute, rule, or order affecting the waters of the Statecontrolled under the provisions of this chapter, whether enacted or promulgatedbefore or after July 1, 1987, inconsistent with the provisions of thischapter.  Nothing in this chapter to the contrary shall restrict the power ofany county to plan or zone as provided in chapter 46.

(c)  No state or county government agency or otherperson having the power of eminent domain or condemnation under the laws of theState, may exercise the power with respect to condemning property if thecondemnation will materially affect water resources in the State, without thewritten permission of the commission.

(d)  No right, title, or interest in the use ofany water resources of the State can be acquired by prescription. [L 1987, c45, pt of §2]

 

Note

 

  Interpretation of county function.  L 1987, c 45, §6.

 

Revision Note

 

  "July 1, 1987" substituted for "theeffective date of this chapter".

 

Case Notes

 

  As water code expressly reserves the counties' authority withrespect to land use planning and policy, commission allegedly imposing a"directive" on the counties to designate priorities among proposeduses did not usurp counties' land use planning and zoning authority.  94 H. 97,9 P.3d 409.