Opinion ID: 2638406
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Tentative Determinations

Text: The District maintains that neither Ecology nor the Board has authority to adjudicate the District's water rights and determine they had been abandoned when deciding whether an application for change in point of diversion should be granted. We adhere to precedent on this issue. It is true that neither Ecology nor the Board has the authority to adjudicate water rights. Rettkowski v. Dep't of Ecology, 122 Wash.2d 219, 858 P.2d 232 (1993). However, this court has held that Ecology is required to tentatively determine the existence of a water right before it can approve a change in point of diversion of water under that right. Okanogan Wilderness League, 133 Wash.2d at 778-79, 947 P.2d 732; R.D. Merrill, 137 Wash.2d at 127, 969 P.2d 458. This is because RCW 90.03.380 authorizes a change in point of diversion only where water has been applied to beneficial use, and only where the change will not cause detriment or injury to existing rights. RCW 90.03.380; see Okanogan Wilderness League, 133 Wash.2d at 777-78, 947 P.2d 732; R.D. Merrill, 137 Wash.2d at 125-26, 969 P.2d 458. Therefore, quantification of the right is necessary before a change in point of diversion may be approved. Okanogan Wilderness League, 133 Wash.2d at 779, 947 P.2d 732. If a right has not been beneficially used to its full extent, or if the right has been abandoned, then issuance of a certificate of change, in the amount of the original right, could cause detriment or injury to other rights. Id. Ecology may therefore deny an application for a change if it determines that the water right has been abandoned or relinquished. However, in light of the fact that Ecology does not have the right to finally adjudicate water rights, its tentative determination as to whether a right has been abandoned or relinquished can not be a final determination of the validity of the water right. Id. Ecology has authority to tentatively determine whether a water right has been abandoned or relinquished when acting on an application for a change in point of diversion under RCW 90.03.380, and the Board may also do so when reviewing action on a change application. The Board's summary judgment ruling on this issue is affirmed.