BILL REQ. #:  S-4025.1 

Read first time 01/26/2004.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water.

     AN ACT Relating to use classifications for irrigation district conveyance and drainage facilities; and adding a new section to chapter 90.48 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 90.48 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall at the request of the United States bureau of reclamation and federal reclamation project irrigation districts cooperatively conduct a use attainability analysis of water bodies located within the boundaries of the federal reclamation project. The department shall adopt rules designating uses for water bodies within the federal reclamation project that reflect the intended use of constructed storage and conveyance facilities and other water transport systems for authorized project purposes and the unique site-specific characteristics of the arid and semiarid regions of the state of Washington where federal reclamation projects are located. The rules shall be consistent with authorized project purposes and shall not impair authorized project contracts or interfere with the construction, operation, or maintenance of project facilities.