692
P U B L I C LAW 578-AUG. 10, 1954
[68 S T A T.
ARTICLE II
Subject to the provisions of Article X, nothing in this Compact shall be construed as applying to, or interfering with, the right or power of either signatory State to regulate within its boundaries the appropriation, use and control of water, not inconsistent with its obligations under this Compact. ARTICLE III
Subject to the provisions of Article X, all rights to any of the waters of the Sabine River which have been obtained in accordance with the laws of the States are hereby recognized and affirmed; provided, however, that withdrawals, from time to time, for the satisfaction of such rights, shall be subject to the availability of supply in accordance with the apportionment of water provided under the terms of this Compact. ARTICLE IV
Texas shall have free and unrestricted use of all waters of the Sabine River and its tributaries above the Stateline subject, however, to the provisions of Article V and X. ARTICLE V
Texas and Louisiana hereby agree upon the following apportionment of the waters of the Sabine River: (a) All free water in the Stateline reach shall be divided equally between the two States, this division to be made without reference to the origin. (b) The necessity of maintaining a minimum flow at the Stateline for the benefit of water users below the Stateline in both States is recognized, and to this end it is hereby agreed that: (1) Reservoirs and permits above the Stateline existing as of January 1, 1953 shall not be liable for maintenance of the flow at the Stateline. (2) After January 1, 1953, neither State shall permit or authorize any additional users which would have the effect of reducing the flow at the Stateline to less than 36 cubic feet per second. (3) Reservoirs on which construction is commenced after January 1, 1953, above the Stateline shall be liable for their share of water necessary to provide a minimum flow at the Stateline of 36 cubic feet per second; provided, that no reservoir shall be liable for a greater percentage of this minimum flow than the percentage of the drainage area above the Stateline contributing to that reservoir, exclusive of the watershed of any reservoir on which construction was started prior to January 1, 1953, Water released from Texas' reservoirs to establish the minimum flow of 36 cubic feet per second, shall be classed as free water at the Stateline and divided equally between the two States. (c) The right of each State to construct impoundment reservoirs and other works of improvement on the Sabine River or its tributaries located wholly within its boundaries is hereby recognized. (d) I n the event that either State constructs reservoir storage on the tributaries below Stateline after January 1, 1953, there shall be deducted from that State's share of the flow in the Sabine River all reductions in flow resulting from the operation of the tributary storage and conversely such State shall be entitled to the increased flow resulting from the regulation provided by such storage.
�
