2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 90 - Water Rights—Environment › Chapter 90.03 - Water Code. › 90.03.210 - Determination of water rights—Interim regulation of water—Appeals.

RCW 90.03.210
Determination of water rights—Interim regulation of water—Appeals.
(1) During the pendency of such adjudication proceedings prior to judgment or upon review by an appellate court, the stream or other water involved shall be regulated or partially regulated according to the schedule of rights specified in the department's report upon an order of the court authorizing such regulation: PROVIDED, Any interested party may file a bond and obtain an order staying the regulation of said stream as to him or her, in which case the court shall make such order regarding the regulation of the stream or other water as he or she may deem just. The bond shall be filed within five days following the service of notice of appeal in an amount to be fixed by the court and with sureties satisfactory to the court, conditioned to perform the judgment of the court.
(2) Any appeal of a decision of the department on an application to change or transfer a water right subject to an adjudication that is being litigated actively shall be conducted as follows:
(a) The appeal shall be filed with the court conducting the adjudication and served under RCW 34.05.542(3). The content of the notice of appeal shall conform to RCW 34.05.546. Standing to appeal shall be based on the requirements of RCW 34.05.530 and is not limited to parties to the adjudication.
(b) If the appeal includes a challenge to the portion of the department's decision that pertains to tentative determinations of the validity and extent of the water right, review of those tentative determinations shall be conducted by the court consistent with the provisions of RCW 34.05.510 through 34.05.598, except that the review shall be de novo.
(c) If the appeal includes a challenge to any portion of the department's decision other than the tentative determinations of the validity and extent of the right, the court must certify to the pollution control hearings board for review and decision those portions of the department's decision. Review by the pollution control hearings board shall be conducted consistent with chapter 43.21B RCW and the board's implementing regulations, except that the requirements for filing, service, and content of the notice of appeal shall be governed by (a) of this subsection. Any party to an appeal may move the court to certify portions of the appeal to the pollution control hearings board, but the appellant must file a motion for certification no later than ninety days after the appeal is filed under this section.
(d) Appeals shall be scheduled to afford all parties full opportunity to participate before the superior court and the pollution control hearings board.
(e) Any person wishing to appeal the decision of the board made under (c) of this subsection shall seek review of the decision in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, except that the petition for review must be filed with the superior court conducting the adjudication.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect or modify any treaty or other federal rights of an Indian tribe, or the rights of any federal agency or other person or entity arising under federal law. Nothing in this section is intended or shall be construed as affecting or modifying any existing right of a federally recognized Indian tribe to protect from impairment its federally reserved water rights in federal court.
[ 2013 c 23 § 594; 2009 c 332 § 14; 2001 c 220 § 5; 1988 c 202 § 92; 1987 c 109 § 80; 1921 c 103 § 1; RRS § 7374. Formerly RCW 90.12.110.]
NOTES:
Intent—Construction—Effective date—2001 c 220: See notes following RCW 43.21B.110.
Severability—1988 c 202: See note following RCW 2.24.050.
Purpose—Short title—Construction—Rules—Severability—Captions—1987 c 109: See notes following RCW 43.21B.001.