Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 90.54 · 26 active provisions
The legislature recognizes the critical importance of providing and securing sufficient water to meet the needs of people, farms, and fish. The legislature finds that an effective way to meet the water needs of people, farms, and fish is through strategies developed and implemented at the local watershed level. The obj…
(1) The legislature finds that:(a) Proper utilization of the water resources of this state is necessary to the promotion of public health and the economic well-being of the state and the preservation of its natural resources and aesthetic values. Although water is a renewable resource, its supply and availability are b…
Utilization and management of the waters of the state shall be guided by the following general declaration of fundamentals:(1) Uses of water for domestic, stock watering, industrial, commercial, agricultural, irrigation, hydroelectric power production, mining, fish and wildlife maintenance and enhancement, recreational…
For the purpose of ensuring that the department is fully advised in relation to the performance of the water resources program provided in RCW 90.54.040, the department is directed to become informed with regard to all phases of water and related resources of the state. To accomplish this objective the department shall…
(1) State funding of water resource, supply, and quality related capital programs, both current and future, shall, to the maximum extent possible within state or federal legal requirements, be directed to assist in the resolution of current conflicts and implementation of regional water resource plans with priority giv…
(1) The department, through the adoption of appropriate rules, is directed, as a matter of high priority to insure that the waters of the state are utilized for the best interests of the people, to develop and implement in accordance with the policies of this chapter a comprehensive state water resources program which…
(1) In the development and implementation of the comprehensive state water resources program required in RCW 90.54.040(1), the process described therein shall involve participation of appropriate state agencies, Indian tribes, local governments, and interested parties, and shall be applied on a regional basis pursuant…
In conjunction with the programs provided for in RCW 90.54.040(1), whenever it appears necessary to the director in carrying out the policy of this chapter, the department may by rule adopted pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW:(1) Reserve and set aside waters for beneficial utilization in the future, and(2) When sufficient…
To insure that all of the various persons and entities having an interest in the water resources of the state and the programs of the chapter are provided with a full opportunity for involvement not only with the development of the program but the implementation by the department under this chapter, the following direc…
The state shall vigorously represent its interest before water resource regulation, management, development, and use agencies of the United States, including among others the federal power commission, environmental protection agency, army corps of engineers, department of the interior, department of agriculture and the…
All agencies of state and local government, including counties and municipal and public corporations, shall, whenever possible, carry out powers vested in them in manners which are consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
The department of ecology shall as a matter of high priority evaluate the needs for water resource development projects and the alternative methods of financing of the same by public and private agencies, including financing by federal, state and local governments and combinations thereof. Such evaluations shall be bro…
The department of ecology is authorized to obtain the benefits including acceptance of grants, of any program of the federal government or any other source to carry out the provisions of this chapter and is empowered to take such actions as are necessary and appropriate to secure such benefits.
For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context is clearly to the contrary, the following definitions shall be used:(1) "Department" means department of ecology.(2) "Utilize" or "utilization" shall not only mean use of water for such long recognized consumptive or nonconsumptive beneficial purposes as domestic, st…
The department of ecology may recommend land use management policy modifications it finds appropriate for the further protection of ground and surface water resources in this state. Such advisory recommendations may be made to other state regulatory agencies, local governments, water systems, and other appropriate bodi…
The legislature hereby declares that the protection of groundwater aquifers which are the sole drinking water source for a given jurisdiction shall be of the uppermost priority of the state department of ecology, department of social and health services, and all local government agencies with jurisdiction over such are…
When feasible, the department of ecology shall cooperate with the United States and other public entities, including Indian tribes, in the planning, development, and operation of comprehensive water supply projects designed primarily to resolve controversies and conflicts over water use by increasing water quantity and…
The department of ecology shall report to the legislature on the last working day of December of 1984, 1985, and 1986, and thereafter as deemed appropriate by the department, on dam facilities that exhibit safety deficiencies sufficient to pose a significant threat to the safety of life and property. The report shall i…
In addition to other requirements of this chapter, when the proposed water resource development project involves a new water supply combined with an electric generation facility where such electricity generated may be sold to an entity authorized by law to distribute electricity, the department shall evaluate and utili…
Consistent with the fundamentals of water resource policy set forth in this chapter, state and local governments, individuals, corporations, groups and other entities shall be encouraged to carry out water use efficiency and conservation programs and practices consistent with the following:(1) Water efficiency and cons…
The department shall prioritize the expenditure of funds and other resources for programs related to streamflow restoration in watersheds where the exercise of inchoate water rights may have a larger effect on streamflows and other water uses.
(1) The department shall act on all water rights applications that rely on the reservations of water established in WAC 173-518-080 or 173-545-090, as those provisions existed on March 31, 2016. The legislature declares that the reservations of water established in WAC 173-518-080 and 173-545-090, as those provisions e…
Future development of hydropower and protection of river-related resources shall be guided by policies and programs which:(1) Create opportunities for balanced development of cost-effective and environmentally sound hydropower projects by a range of development interests;(2) Protect significant values associated with t…
Nothing in this chapter shall affect any existing water rights, riparian, appropriative, or otherwise; nor shall it affect existing rights relating to the operation of any hydroelectric or water storage reservoir or related facility; nor shall it affect any exploratory work, construction or operation of a thermal power…
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Water Resources Act of 1971".