The objectives and purposes to be served by the Board of Water and Natural Resources shall be to resolve conflicting special interests of federal, state, and local agencies or entities or private interests in proposed water projects, including federal projects and the designation and preservation of certain rivers or portions thereof as scenic rivers so that the public interest in such project proposals will be protected and enhanced, optimum over-all benefits will accrue to the people of South Dakota, and maximum consideration of all needs and desires in such water projects will be ensured, especially in those involving multiple purposes such as combinations of irrigation, flood control, navigation, electric power, domestic and stock water, municipal and industrial water supplies, lake stabilization, pollution control, water quality enhancement, fish and wildlife, recreation, groundwater recharge, erosion control, or other beneficial purposes and uses.
SDCL 46A-1-8