BILL REQ. #:  S-1960.2 

Read first time 02/23/09.   Referred to Committee on Environment, Water & Energy.

     AN ACT Relating to improving water management through filing notice of foregone water use and establishing a monitoring system; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   It is the intent of the legislature to provide a notification process for a water right holder who may not need to withdraw any or all of the water allowable under the right in order to provide some protection from relinquishment and allow the water to be used for instream flows.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) By June 30, 2010, the department of ecology shall prepare a data gap analysis that evaluates existing groundwater and surface water information on water levels and water quality within each water resource inventory area of the state. The analysis must include:
     (a) A summary of historic and current monitoring of ambient groundwater and surface water levels and water quality across the state;
     (b) An evaluation of the completeness and quality of the data and conclusions produced from such monitoring;
     (c) An identification of basins where water quantity levels are of concern but no monitoring is being conducted;
     (d) An evaluation and recommendations for quality controls and other protocols associated with data collection and management;
     (e) A compilation and summary of existing studies of groundwater and surface water levels, water quality, and monitoring activities; and
     (f) Recommendations on the components necessary to establish a comprehensive, statewide ambient groundwater and surface water monitoring and assessment program and the funding necessary to implement the program.
     (2) The department of ecology must submit the data gap analysis to the relevant policy committees of the senate and house of representatives.