Washington Administrative Code › Title 173 - Ecology, Department of (See also Titles 197, 317, 372, and 508) › Chapter 173-503 - Instream resources protection program - Lower and Upper Skagit water resources inventory area (WRIA 3 and 4) › Section 173-503-020 - Purpose

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The purpose of this chapter is to retain perennial rivers,
				streams, and lakes in the Lower and Upper Skagit water resources inventory
				area, including the Cultus Mt. Tributaries, as defined in WAC
				173-503-040, with instream flows
				and levels necessary to provide for the protection and preservation of
				wildlife, fish, scenic, aesthetic, and other environmental values, and
				navigational values, as well as recreation and water quality. In addition,
				these flows are necessary to satisfy stock watering objectives, consistent with
				RCW
				   90.22.040.
Chapter 90.54
				RCW (Water Resources Act of 1971) requires that utilization and management of
				waters of the state be guided by a number of fundamentals, including:
Uses of water for domestic, stock watering, industrial,
				commercial, agricultural, irrigation, hydroelectric power production, mining,
				fish and wildlife maintenance and enhancement, recreational, and thermal power
				production purposes, and preservation of environmental and aesthetic values,
				and all other uses compatible with the enjoyment of the public waters of the
				state, are declared to be beneficial. (RCW
				   90.54.020(1))
The quality of the natural environment shall be protected and,
				where possible, enhanced, as follows:
Perennial rivers and streams of the state shall be retained
				with base flows necessary to provide for the protection and preservation of
				wildlife, fish, scenic, aesthetic and other environmental values, and
				navigational values. Lakes and ponds shall be retained substantially in their
				natural condition. Withdrawals of water which would conflict therewith shall be
				authorized only in those situations where it is clear that overriding
				considerations of the public interest will be served. (RCW
				   90.54.020(3)(a))
Waters of the state shall be of high quality. Regardless of the
				quality of the waters of the state, all wastes and other materials and
				substances proposed for entry into said waters shall be provided with all
				known, available, and reasonable methods of treatment prior to entry.
				Notwithstanding that standards of quality established for the waters of the
				state would not be violated, wastes and other materials and substances shall
				not be allowed to enter such waters which will reduce the existing quality
				thereof, except in those situations where it is clear that overriding
				considerations of the public interest will be served. (RCW
				   90.54.020(3)(b))
In furtherance of these statutory objectives, this chapter
				creates a reservation of a limited amount of water for specific future uses. It
				establishes closures for tributaries, and sets forth conditions for future
				water right permitting.
Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.27A,
				  90.54, 90.22, and 90.82 RCW.
				  06-11-070 (Order 05-15), § 173-503-020, filed 5/15/06, effective 6/15/06.
				  Statutory Authority:
				  Chapters
				  90.54 and 90.22 RCW, and
				  chapter 173-500 WAC. 01-07-027 (Order 99-05), § 173-503-020, filed
				  3/14/01, effective 4/14/01.