Source: http://en.openei.org/wiki/RAPID/Roadmap/19-WA-b
Timestamp: 2017-05-30 13:37:07
Document Index: 7178392

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 90', '§ 90', '§ 90', '§90', '§ 508', '§ 90', '§ 90', '§ 508', '§ 43', '§ 371', '§ 90', '§508']

A developer must obtain a water right to withdraw or divert and make beneficial use of public surface or groundwaters of the state. RCW 90.14.041. A beneficial use includes, but is not limited to, “…use for domestic water and… the generation of electric power…” RCW § 90.14.031. Washington uses a prior appropriation system for the distribution of both surface water and groundwater rights in which water users receive the right to use water on a “first in time, first in right” basis.. RCW § 90.03.010. Under Washington law, the waters of Washington belong collectively to the public and as such are not owned by any individual or group. The Washington State Department of Ecology (“Department of Ecology”) manages the state’s water resources and grants individuals or groups the right to use state waters under Washington – Wash. Rev. Code §§ 90.03 et seq., Water Code. Initially after the enactment of the 1917 Water Code, Washington’s permit system only applied to surface water, the 1945 Ground Water Act and its 1973 amendments RCW 90.44 Regulation of public groundwaters for the most part have brought groundwater under the same rules of prior appropriation as surface water. The Department of Ecology issues water right permits through its regional offices in Lacey, Bellevue, Yakima, and Spokane.
Washington Department of Ecology – Apply for New Water Right Webpage; Washington Department of Ecology – New Water Right Webpage.
In addition, it is worth noting that Washington State has a backlog of applications for new water right permits and offers a cost reimbursement program to expedite the permitting process. A developer should contact the WSDE for more information.
The Department of Ecology advises applicants to use the pre-application process before submitting an application for a new water right. If the developer wishes to meet with the Department of Ecology’s permitting staff to discuss the water project, the developer should submit a complete Washington Department of Ecology - Water Right Pre-Application Consultation Form (“Pre-Application Consultation Form”) to the applicable regional Department of Ecology office. The Pre-Application Consultation Form should include, at minimum, the following: Developer’s contact information; A description of the proposed project, including the project’s location;
Identification of the source of the water used; and A copy of the maps depicting the project location. Washington Department of Ecology - Water Right Pre-Application Consultation Form; Water Rights Processing Procedures, at 4. The developer may e-mail the Pre-Application Consultation Form to wrPreApp@ecy.wa.gov or mail a completed form to the appropriate regional Department of Ecology office. Washington Department of Ecology – Apply for New Water Right Webpage.
Developers seeking a new water right must fill out the Washington – Department of Ecology - Application for a Water Right Permit (“Water Right Application”) and return the completed Water Right Application to Department of Ecology, along with the application fee. The Water Right Application must include, at minimum, the following:
The place of use; A description of the water system; and A description of the water supply system information. Washington – Department of Ecology - Application for a Water Right Permit; Water Rights Processing Procedures, at 5; W.R.C. §90.03.470; W.A.C. § 508-12-140.
RCW § 90.03.280; Water Rights Processing Procedures, at 6. After final publication of the notice, the developer must send the Department of Ecology an original, notarized Affidavit of Publication from the publishing newspaper. The Department of Ecology cannot take action on the Water Right Application until after the developer submits the Affidavit.
RCW § 90.03.280; W.A.C. § 508-12-150; Water Rights Processing Procedures, at 7. 19-WA-b.9 – Comment on Application
Members of the public have thirty (30) days to comment on or protest the water right application by submitting written comments to the Department of Ecology. Water Rights Processing Procedures, at 7. 19-WA-b.10 – Review Application and Public Comments
The Department of Ecology reviews the complete water rights application and any written comments from the thirty (30) day comment period. Water Rights Processing Procedures, at 7. 19-WA-b.11 – Conduct Field/Technical Investigation
The Department of Ecology conducts an investigation of the Water Right Application, which may include a field examination of the proposal to validate the information on the application. The Department of Ecology determines what water, if any, is available for appropriation and determines to what beneficial use or uses the water can be applied. RCW 90.03.290; Water Rights Processing Procedures, at 8. The Department of Ecology may issue a preliminary permit for up to three years, if the Water Right Application does not contain or the developer does not furnish sufficient information for the Department of Ecology to grant a Water Right Permit. RCW 90.03.290.
A developer or any interested party may appeal a decision by the Department of Ecology to issue or deny a permit to the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board (“WPCHB”) within thirty (30) days of the date of receiving the notice of the decision. Washington – Wash. Rev. Code §§ 43 et seq., State Government-Executive; W.A.C. § 371-08. 19-WA-b.18 – Permit to Appropriate Public Waters
Note: The Department of Ecology when “…evaluating an Water Right Application that includes provision for any water impoundment or other resource management technique, (must) take into consideration the benefits and costs, including environmental effects, of any water impoundment or other resource and costs, including environmental effects, of an water impoundment or other resource management technique that is included as a component of the application. The Department of Ecology’s consideration must include any increased water supply that results from the impoundment or other resource management technique, including but not limited to any recharge of groundwater that may occur, as a means of making water available or otherwise offsetting the impact of the diversion of the surface water proposed in the Water Right Application. R.C.W. § 90.03.255.
Once the developer receives the water right permit, the developer may begin construction of the project according to the development schedule (or request an extension if needed) and must submit progress reports to the Department of Ecology as the developer completes each phase of development. Begin Construction – Notifies the Department of Ecology that the developer has started the construction necessary for the project;
Washington Department of Ecology - Proof of Appropriation of Water. 19-WA-b.21 - Conduct Proof Examination and Request Certificate Fees
The Department of Ecology may choose to inspect the completed water project based on the Proof of Appropriation of Water submittal. After the Department of Ecology completes the inspection or if the Department of Ecology chooses not to inspect, the Department of Ecology will request the certificate filing and recording fees from the developer.
Washington Department of Ecology - Proof of Appropriation of Water. 19-WA-b.22 – Pay Certificate Fees
RCW 90.03 Water CodeRCW 90.44 Regulation of public groundwatersWashington – Wash. Admin. Code §§508-12, Administration of Surface and Groundwater Codes
Washington Department of Ecology Water Resources WebsiteWashington – Department of Ecology - Application for a Water Right PermitWashington Department of Ecology - Water Right Pre-Application Consultation Form FAQ: Water Rights in WashingtonAn Introduction to Washington Water LawWashington Department of Ecology – Apply for New Water Right WebpageWashington Department of Ecology – New Water Right WebpageWashington Department of Ecology – Water Rights Processing ProceduresWashington Department of Ecology - Proof of Appropriation of Water
<metadesc> Information about Washington New Water Right Permit in the permitting of renewable energy and bulk transmission projects. </metadesc>
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