S-0778.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5505

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Senators Morton, Rasmussen and Swecker

Read first time 01/29/97.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Environment.

Directing the department of ecology to assist growing communities in securing safe and reliable water sources.

    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 shall, 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 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)) (7) 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))) (8) The director and duly authorized deputies may administer oaths;

    (((8) He)) (9) The director shall establish and promulgate rules governing the administration of chapter 90.03 RCW;

    (((9) He)) (10) The director shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law.

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