Irrigation of Columbia Basin project lands lying westerly of the East Low Canal and canal leakage have caused development of a groundwater mound lying generally under the canal. The retention of existing water levels under the canal is necessary to maintain the present water table gradient toward the Potholes Reservoir to allow the recapture and utilization of artificially stored groundwater (see order of the department of ecology, under Docket No. 74-772, dated the 8th day of January, 1975). All applications for permit within the following described area will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis consistent with this chapter. Additionally, the potential effects of the proposed appropriation on existing rights including protection of the groundwater mound will be determined. All new permits will be conditioned to assure retention of the existing water levels under the East Low Canal.