The purpose of this part is to protect and conserve the water resources of the Delaware River Basin. To effectuate this purpose, this section establishes standards, requirements, conditions, and restrictions to prevent or reduce depletion and degradation of surface and groundwater resources and to promote sound practices of water resource management.

This part implements sections 3.1, 3.2(a), (b), 3.6(b), (h), 4.1, 5.2, 7.1, 13.1 and 14.2(a) of the Delaware River Basin Compact.

The commission has determined that the provisions of this part are required for the immediate and long range development and use of the water resources of the basin and are therefore incorporated into the commission’s comprehensive plan.

The provisions of this part are in addition to all applicable requirements in other commission regulations in this chapter, dockets, and permits.

The provisions of this part are severable. If any provision of this part or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity will not affect other provisions or applications of this part, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

In accordance with and pursuant to section 1.5 of the Delaware River Basin Compact, to the fullest extent it finds feasible and advantageous the commission may enter into an administrative agreement (agreement) with any basin State or the Federal government to coordinate functions and eliminate unnecessary duplication of effort. Such Agreements will be designed to: effectuate intergovernmental cooperation, minimize the efforts and duplication of State and commission staff resources wherever possible, ensure compliance with commission-approved requirements, enhance early notification of the general public and other interested parties regarding proposed activities in the basin, indicate where a host state’s requirements satisfy the commission’s regulatory objectives, and clarify the relationship and project review decision making processes of the states and the commission for projects subject to review by the states under their state authorities and by the commission under section 3.8 and articles 6, 7, 10 and 11 of the compact.