S-2189.1 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5505
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 55th Legislature 1997 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Agriculture & Environment (originally sponsored by Senators Morton, Rasmussen and Swecker)
Read first time 03/05/97.
AN ACT Relating to water supply and growth management; amending RCW 43.21A.064; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that there is a need for development of additional water resources to meet the forecasted population growth in the state. It is the intent of this act to direct the responsible agencies to assist growing communities as they attempt to secure a safe and reliable water source for their residents. This can be accomplished through the creation of municipal interties and transfers, additional storage capabilities, enhanced conservation efforts, and added efficiency standards for using existing supplies.
Sec. 2. RCW 43.21A.064 and 1995 c 8 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
Subject to RCW 43.21A.068, the director of the department of ecology shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) The supervision of public waters within the state and their appropriation, diversion, and use, and of the various officers connected therewith;
(2)
Insofar as may be necessary to assure safety to life or property, ((he))
the director shall inspect the construction of all dams, canals,
ditches, irrigation systems, hydraulic power plants, and all other works,
systems, and plants pertaining to the use of water, and ((he)) may
require such necessary changes in the construction or maintenance of said
works, to be made from time to time, as will reasonably secure safety to life
and property;
(3)
((He)) The director shall regulate and control the diversion of
water in accordance with the rights thereto;
(4)
((He)) The director shall determine the discharge of streams and
springs and other sources of water supply, and the capacities of lakes and of
reservoirs whose waters are being or may be utilized for beneficial purposes;
(5)
((He)) The director may, if a request for a water right is denied,
offer to assist the applicant in obtaining or developing an adequate and
appropriate supply of water consistent with the land use permitted and the
population forecast for that area provided by the office of financial
management under RCW 43.62.035;
(6) The director shall, if requested, provide assistance to a public water supply system seeking to obtain or develop an adequate and appropriate supply of water to meet forecasted population growth. The supply being sought must be used in a manner consistent with applicable land use, watershed and water system plans, and the population forecast for that area provided by the office of financial management under RCW 43.62.035;
(7)
The director shall keep such records as may be necessary for the recording
of the financial transactions and statistical data thereof, and shall procure
all necessary documents, forms, and blanks. ((He)) The director
shall keep a seal of the office, and all certificates ((by him))
covering any of ((his)) the director's acts or the acts of ((his))
the director's office, or the records and files of ((his)) that
office, under such seal, shall be taken as evidence thereof in all courts;
(((6)
He)) (8) The director shall render when required by the governor, a
full written report of the ((work of his office)) office's work
with such recommendations for legislation as ((he may)) the director
deems advisable for the better control and development of the water
resources of the state;
(((7)))
(9) The director and duly authorized deputies may administer oaths;
(((8)
He)) (10) The director shall establish and promulgate rules
governing the administration of chapter 90.03 RCW;
(((9) He)) (11) The director shall perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by law.
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