SB 6376 - DIGEST

Requires the department to establish achievable streamflow levels for each water resource inventory area in which watershed planning under the provisions of chapter 90.82 RCW is not considering amending an existing flow or setting new flows or for those water resource inventory areas without watershed planning activities.

Requires the department to create a process of public involvement similar to that of a watershed planning unit under the provision of chapter 90.82 RCW, in order to ensure that local citizens are informed and afforded, to the maximum extent practicable, the opportunity to guide the flow setting process.

Directs the department to establish a schedule for setting flows under the provisions of this act, and shall submit the schedule to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by December 1, 2005. The department shall subsequently report to the legislature with an updated schedule every two years until the schedule is completed. Along with the schedule, the department shall provide updated information on flows that have been set.

Provides that moneys appropriated for chapter 79A.15 RCW shall be divided as follows: Forty-five percent each to the habitat conservation and outdoor recreation accounts, and ten percent to the water quality account, and shall be used exclusively for the purposes specified in this chapter. The ten percent allocated to the water quality account must be used exclusively for setting and achieving flows in accordance with this act.