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Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act of 1975 

 (Title 26, Chapter 15, Sections 1510-1523) 



In July, 1975 the Board of Natural Resources and Conservation adopted 

 rules setting minimum standards and guidelines for projects affecting 

 any natural, perennial flowing stream within its mean high-water line. 

 The purpose of this law is to protect natural streams, particularly 

 the streambanks and streambeds, and prevent soil erosion and sedimentation. 

 It is administered by the Department of Fish and Game (DF&G) through 

 local conservation districts or county commissioners in areas where there 

 is not a conservation district. This act has application when any 

 individual or corporation plans action which would modify or alter any 

 perennially flowing stream. Local conservation districts must be 

 notified of proposed activities that will affect streams (stream crossings, 

 bridges, culverts, etc.) and the district supervisors must review and 

 approve such activities before their commencement. 



Implementation of this act has provided a measure of control regarding 

 water quality degradation. Estimated public participation is approximately 

 90 percent and assistance from conservation districts has been yery good 

 (Euland, pers. comm. , 2/10/78). However, there are several areas of 

 implementation that require improvement for adequate protection of water 

 quality: 1) enforcement of the act (beyond voluntary compliance) has 

 been variable. Prosecution of violators through the County Attorneys 

 has been problematic for several reasons: a) County Attorneys may not be 

 full-time positions, and must prosecute criminal cases before civil 

 cases; b) some County Attorneys have private law practices which require 

 time; c) locally elected Attorneys may be reluctant to take legal action 



