BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to sufficient cause for nonuse of water rights; and amending RCW 90.03.320 and 90.14.140.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 90.03.320 and 1997 c 445 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

Actual construction work shall be commenced on any project for which permit has been granted within such reasonable time as shall be prescribed by the department, and shall thereafter be prosecuted with diligence and completed within the time prescribed by the department. The department, in fixing the time for the commencement of the work, or for the completion thereof and the application of the water to the beneficial use prescribed in the permit, shall take into consideration the cost and magnitude of the project and the engineering and physical features to be encountered, and shall allow such time as shall be reasonable and just under the conditions then existing, having due regard for the public welfare and public interests affected((~~: and, for good cause shown, it~~)). For good cause shown, the department shall extend the time or times fixed as aforesaid, and shall grant such further period or periods as may be reasonably necessary, having due regard to the good faith of the applicant and the public interests affected. If federal or state laws prevent or restrict water use otherwise authorized under the permit, the department shall extend the time or times fixed for commencing work, completing work, and applying water to beneficial use and the extension shall be for a period that is not less than the period of nonuse or restricted use caused by the federal or state laws. In fixing construction schedules and the time, or extension of time, for application of water to beneficial use for municipal water supply purposes, the department shall also take into consideration the term and amount of financing required to complete the project, delays that may result from planned and existing conservation and water use efficiency measures implemented by the public water system, and the supply needs of the public water system's service area, consistent with an approved comprehensive plan under chapter 36.70A RCW, or in the absence of such a plan, a county-approved comprehensive plan under chapter 36.70 RCW or a plan approved under chapter 35.63 RCW, and related water demand projections prepared by public water systems in accordance with state law. An existing comprehensive plan under chapter 36.70A or 36.70 RCW, plan under chapter 35.63 RCW, or demand projection may be used. If the terms of the permit or extension thereof, are not complied with the department shall give notice by registered mail that such permit will be canceled unless the holders thereof shall show cause within sixty days why the same should not be so canceled. If cause is not shown, the permit shall be canceled.

Sec. 2. RCW 90.14.140 and 1987 c 125 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) For the purposes of RCW 90.14.130 through 90.14.180, "sufficient cause" shall be defined as the nonuse of all or a portion of the water by the owner of a water right for a period of five or more consecutive years where such nonuse occurs as a result of:

(a) Drought, or other unavailability of water;

(b) Active service in the armed forces of the United States during military crisis;

(d) The operation of legal proceedings;

(e) Federal laws imposing land or water use restrictions either directly or through the voluntary enrollment of a landowner in a federal program implementing those laws, or acreage limitations, or production quotas.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provisions of RCW 90.14.130 through 90.14.180, there shall be no relinquishment of any water right:

(a) If such right is claimed for power development purposes under chapter 90.16 RCW and annual license fees are paid in accordance with chapter 90.16 RCW((~~, or~~));

(b) If such right is used for a standby or reserve water supply to be used in time of drought or other low flow period so long as withdrawal or diversion facilities are maintained in good operating condition for the use of such reserve or standby water supply((~~, or~~));

(c) If such right is claimed for a determined future development to take place either within fifteen years of July 1, 1967, or the most recent beneficial use of the water right, whichever date is later((~~, or~~));

(d) If such right is claimed for municipal water supply purposes under chapter 90.03 RCW((~~, or~~));

(e) If such waters are not subject to appropriation under the applicable provisions of RCW 90.40.030 ((~~as now or hereafter amended~~)); or

(f) If such right is claimed for the water supply of an irrigation district organized under chapter 87.03 RCW and the purpose of use is authorized by that chapter.