BILL REQ. #:  H-4414.1 

Read first time 01/23/2006.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade.

     AN ACT Relating to studying the competing interests of domestic water users and other water users in regards to limited water supplies where a curtailment of domestic water right use has been enacted; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The department of ecology shall, by December 31, 2006, study and prepare a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on ways that the department and other stakeholders can better understand the competing interests of domestic surface water users and other surface water users in regards to limited water supplies who are affected by a curtailment of domestic water right use that has been enacted by a court order.
     (2) The study conducted under this section shall be limited to basins currently involved in a water rights adjudication and must:
     (a) Provide a summary of the circumstances that have contributed to the competition between domestic water users and other water users;
     (b) Include a survey involving the owners of the residences; and
     (c) Recommend suggested legislation or other solutions for resolving conflicts between competing interests for a limited water resource.
     (3) The study shall focus on seasonal residential uses; however, other permanent residences may be included if the owners are experiencing similar problems.
     (4) When surveying residents under this section, the department shall make a reasonable attempt to contact all property owners and obtain, at a minimum, the following information:
     (a) The location of the seasonal or permanent residence and the number of days that the residence is in use;
     (b) The months that the residence is occupied;
     (c) Whether the property has a water right and relevant information of the water right;
     (d) The amount of water needed for the residence when it is occupied;
     (e) The specific use of the water used by the property owner;
     (f) The location of the permanent residence of the property owner; and
     (g) Any other relevant information that the department determines is necessary for the survey.