3. NATURAL HYDROLOGY is protected and restored.
3.1 Precipitation naturally absorbs, flows and drains. (Natural hydrologic cycle is intact.)
- Soil health is increased.
- Artificial drainage is reduced.
- Wetlands are protected and restored.
- Floodplains are protected and restored.
3.2 River is free from unnatural obstructions where practicable.
- Man-made impediments (dams & training structures) are removed where practicable.
- Where man-made impediments are not removable, impacts to natural flow and fish passage are mitigated.
3.3 Sediment transport is optimized.
- Channelization is reduced where practicable.
- Erosion is minimized.
- Sediments are beneficially used to restore land and wetlands.
- Bedload transport is unhindered on its way down the River.
3.4 Ground and surface water withdrawals are sustainably managed.
- States bordering MS River perform ecological analysis of withdrawals.
- States bordering MS River require registration and reporting of ground and surface water withdrawals.
- Withdrawals are controlled so they are sustainable.