Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=173-500&full=true
Timestamp: 2019-12-13 03:40:42
Document Index: 204313319

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173', '§ 173']

Chapter 173-500 WAC:
WACs > Title 173 > Chapter 173-500
Chapter 173-500 WAC
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE WATER RESOURCES ACT OF 1971
HTMLPDF 173-500-010 Background.
HTMLPDF 173-500-020 Purpose.
HTMLPDF 173-500-030 Authority.
HTMLPDF 173-500-040 Water resource inventory areas.
HTMLPDF 173-500-050 Definitions.
HTMLPDF 173-500-060 General provisions.
HTMLPDF 173-500-070 Regulation review.
HTMLPDF 173-500-080 Critical water resource situation response process.
HTMLPDF 173-500-990 Map—Water resources inventory areas sub-basins.
PDF173-500-010
PDF173-500-020
The purpose of this chapter is to set forth a program which will provide guidelines to facilitate the further development of the water resources to the extent of their availability for further appropriation and implement the legislative intent as contained in RCW 90.54.040(1). The program shall, where appropriate:
(1) Identify and foster development of water resource projects;
(2) Declare preferences or priorities of use by categories;
(3) Set forth streams closed to future appropriation;
(4) Establish flows on perennial streams of the state in amounts necessary to provide for preservation of wildlife, fish, scenic, aesthetic, and other environmental values, and navigational values;
(5) Allocate quantities for beneficial uses;
(6) Reserve water for future beneficial use;
(7) Withdraw waters from additional appropriation when sufficient information or data are lacking for the making of sound decisions;
(8) Establish criteria for limit beyond which further appropriation will not be made;
(9) Designate areas within the state to be used for management purposes; and
(10) Be guided by the declaration of fundamentals contained in RCW 90.54.020.
[Order DE 75-23, § 173-500-020, filed 1/6/76.]
PDF173-500-030
This regulation is promulgated by the department of ecology under the authority of chapter 90.54 RCW.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.27A and 90.54 RCW. WSR 88-13-037 (Order 88-11), § 173-500-030, filed 6/9/88; Order DE 75-23, § 173-500-030, filed 1/6/76.]
PDF173-500-040
For the purposes of this chapter, the state is divided into 62 areas known as water resource inventory areas (WRIAs). The names and numbers of these areas are as follows and are shown on the attached map:
water resources inventory areas
WRIA Number, Name
Lower Skagit-Samish
Kennedy-Goldsborough
Skokomish-Dosewallips
Elwah-Dungeness
Lyre-Hoko
Soleduck-Hoh
Queets-Quinault
Grays-Elokoman
Wind-White Salmon
Rock-Glade
Alkali-Squilchuck
Upper Crab-Wilson
[Order DE 75-23, § 173-500-040, filed 1/6/76.]
PDF173-500-050
PDF173-500-060
(1) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to chapters 173-501 through 173-599 WAC unless the language of said chapters is clearly to the contrary.
(2) As sufficient data are obtained for each WRIA and/or grouping thereof in the state to enable the department to formulate a water resource planning and management program for such area, the department shall by regulation establish policies for the beneficial use of public waters pursuant to RCW 90.54.040.
(3) Water rights established prior to the effective date of rules adopted under chapters 173-500 and 173-501 through 173-599 WAC shall not be affected by such rules.
(4) Low flow limitations to prevail (1) Notwithstanding the establishment of base flows established hereunder, existing low flow limitations shall remain in effect.
(a) Surface water and/or groundwater appropriation permits, issued subsequent to the effective dates of chapters 173-501 through 173-599 WAC, that will allow either direct diversion from or have a measurable effect on streams where base flow limitations of this chapter, and any such permits or certificates shall be appropriately conditioned to assure maintenance of said base flows.
(b) The base flow provisions for any water right located in a stream management unit shall specifically describe the base flow levels for the control station in that unit and shall refer generally to other downstream base flow requirements that may also become controlling and critical to the use of water under such right.
(6) Base flow changes. If it becomes necessary to change a control station location or to add new control stations to improve management capability, the department shall develop streamflow relationships, by accepted engineering procedures, between previously established control station locations and the new location for use in regulating water rights that are subject to base flow limitations.
(7) Minimum water flows and levels. The provisions of this chapter shall in no manner be interpreted to preclude utilization of chapter 90.22 RCW.
(8) Priorities or allocation by use categories - limitations. Nothing in chapters 173-501 through 173-599 WAC relating to priorities or allocations by use shall be construed to apply to water rights or the historic water use patterns that predate the individual management regulations.
[Order DE 75-23, § 173-500-060, filed 1/6/76.]
PDF173-500-070
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.27A and 90.54 RCW. WSR 88-13-037 (Order 88-11), § 173-500-070, filed 6/9/88.]
PDF173-500-080
PDF173-500-990
Map—Water resources inventory areas sub-basins.
water resources inventory areas sub-basins.
[Order DE 75-23, Map (codified as WAC 173-500-990), filed 1/6/76.]