The "Clearing Control Catchments - CAWSA" dataset relates to Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947 (CAWSA) Part IIA Control of Catchment Areas legislation for controlling the clearing of native vegetation to prevent salinisation of water resources in some existing or potential water source catchments. The dataset is used by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in administering clearing licence applications, policy decision making and for providing advice.

The catchments depicted were proclaimed 1976-1978 and became subject to clearing controls where land owners and occupiers could not clear native vegetation on their property unless authorised under a CAWSA Licence to Clear. The "Clearing Control Catchments - CAWSA" dataset also shows Zones of salinity risk in the controlled catchments where Zone A is the highest salinity risk and Zone D the lowest. These zones were used to determine where, in the administration of clearing controls, some limited clearing may be granted in areas of lower salinity risk.

Since the advent of Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) clearing regulations in 2004, native vegetation clearing proponents state-wide must obtain an EP Act Permit before undertaking any clearing. Landowners and occupiers of CAWSA compensated land and those exempt from the need for an EP Act clearing Permit are however still required to obtain a CAWSA Licence to Clear.

This dataset was formally known as CAWSA Part 2A Clearing Control Catchments (DOW-028)