Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 43.83B · 13 active provisions
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Department" means the department of ecology.(2) "Drought condition" means that the water supply for a geographic area, or for a significant portion of a geographic area, is below seventy-five percent of norm…
In the course of considering applications under this chapter, the department of ecology shall make known to other state agencies possibilities which may arise to provide public benefits such as recreation or fish and wildlife enhancement in connection with proposed projects. Such agencies, including the department of e…
The legislature recognizes that drought and water shortages can place a significant hardship on Washington communities, farms, and the natural environment. Rising temperatures due to climate change may cause water supply shortages to be more frequent and severe in the future. Therefore, the ability to respond to drough…
(1) Whenever it appears to the department, based on the definitions of drought condition and normal water supply set forth in RCW 43.83B.011, that drought conditions may develop, the department may issue a drought advisory. The drought advisory should seek to increase the awareness and readiness of affected water users…
Upon the issuance of an order of drought emergency under RCW 43.83B.405(2), the state treasurer shall transfer from the general fund to the emergency drought response account created in RCW 43.83B.435 those amounts necessary to bring the balance of the emergency drought response account to $3,000,000, based upon the de…
Upon the issuance of an order of drought emergency under RCW 43.83B.405(2), the department may:(1)(a) Authorize emergency withdrawal of public surface and ground waters, including dead storage within reservoirs, on a temporary basis and authorize temporary or permanent associated physical works. The department shall pr…
(1)(a) The department is authorized to issue grants to eligible public entities to reduce current or future hardship caused by water unavailability stemming from drought conditions. No single entity may receive more than 25 percent of the total funds available. The department is not obligated to fund projects that do n…
The department shall adopt such rules as are necessary to ensure the successful implementation of this chapter.
Nothing in this chapter shall:(1) Authorize any interference whatsoever with existing water rights;(2) Authorize the establishment of rights to withdrawal of waters of a permanent nature or of rights with any priority;(3) Authorize the establishment of a water right under RCW 90.03.250 or 90.44.060;(4) Preclude any per…
The state drought preparedness account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from appropriated funds designated for the account and all cost recovery revenues collected under RCW 43.83B.410(5) must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used for drought planning and preparedness ac…
The emergency drought response account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from moneys received pursuant to RCW 43.83B.406, moneys appropriated to the account by the legislature for the purpose of funding emergency drought response actions or moneys directed to the account from any other lawful source must b…
In collaboration with affected governments, the department may revise the existing drought contingency plan. The department shall notify interested parties of any updates to the drought contingency plan.
If any provision of this 1977 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.