BILL REQ. #:  S-1175.2 

Read first time 02/07/13.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing the establishment of a water management board in the Methow watershed; amending RCW 90.14.140, 90.03.380, and 90.44.100; adding a new chapter to Title 90 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the Methow watershed planning unit created under the watershed planning act, chapter 90.82 RCW, faces substantial challenges in planning for future water use, and meeting and balancing the needs of people, farms, and fish. The legislature further finds that the participants in the Methow watershed planning process have demonstrated exceptional cooperation in developing the Methow basin watershed management plan and detailed implementation plan. The legislature also finds that implementation of watershed planning in the Methow watershed needs to continue into the future to preserve and enhance the gains of these objectives and to protect the state's investment in watershed planning and sustainable water management. Thus, it is important for the Methow watershed planning unit to be able to become a water management board capable of taking on the responsibilities to adequately manage its water resource inventory area. This chapter is intended to enable people in the Methow watershed to continue to work toward the goals of the 2004 Chelan agreement to resolve competing needs between people and the environment through local collaborative participation.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Basin" means WRIA 48.
     (2) "Board" means the water management board created under this chapter.
     (3) "Department" means the department of ecology.
     (4) "Director" means the director of the department of ecology.
     (5) "Instream flow" means a minimum flow under chapter 90.03 or 90.22 RCW or a base flow under chapter 90.54 RCW that has been set by rule in chapter 173-548 WAC.
     (6) "Local water management program" means the water banking mechanism, any local water plans authorized by the board, and any other activities authorized by this chapter.
     (7) "Local water plan" means a voluntary water management plan developed by the water management board and participating entities to manage water use in a manner that maintains or enhances stream flows in exchange for greater flexibility in exercising the water rights, and provides flexibility in water management in the WRIA, consistent with the watershed plan or any future watershed plan revisions.
     (8) "Planning area" means the entirety or a subsection of WRIA 48 as identified in the creation of a board under this chapter.
     (9) "Trust water right" means any water right acquired by the state under chapter 90.42 RCW for management in the state's water rights program.
     (10) "Watershed plan" means a plan adopted under chapter 90.82 RCW.
     (11) "WRIA" means water resource inventory area 48 established in chapter 173-500 WAC as it existed on January 1, 1997.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) An initiating entity in the Methow watershed may petition the department to establish a water management board.
     (2) The department, in consultation with the initiating entity, is authorized to create a board in the Methow watershed where:
     (a) Community support exists for the adopted watershed management plan and includes support from the affected federally recognized tribes, local governments, and the general community;
     (b) There is commitment on the part of the watershed planning unit and the affected community to enhance stream flows for fish;
     (c) An adequate monitoring network is in place, as determined by the department;
     (d) An instream flow rule for the WRIA has been adopted; and
     (e) The watershed planning unit has completed a watershed implementation plan adopted under chapter 90.82 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The board is composed of the following members:
     (a) All affected federally recognized tribes within the planning area will be invited to participate and may appoint one member each;
     (b) The following entities may each appoint one member:
     (i) The Okanogan county board of commissioners;
     (ii) The city council of Twisp. The city council of other affected towns in the WRIA may also be invited to sit on the board; and
     (iii) The board of directors of the entity or the person who uses the greatest quantity of water in the planning area. If this is an entity other than an irrigation district, a representative of the irrigation districts shall also appoint one member;
     (c) The members under (a) and (b) of this subsection must appoint a minimum of three but no more than five additional members of the board. These members must be residents of the planning area. One member must be a planning area water rights holder. One member must represent environmental interests in the planning area. The other members must be citizens at large and may represent other interests or specific regions in the WRIA;
     (d) If for any reason one of the required governments or entities to be represented on the board declines to participate, the remaining board members may invite another local government within the planning area to join the board;
     (e) The initial watershed board must be composed of members of the present Methow watershed council for the remainder of each individual term.
     (2) Each member of the board serves a two-year term and may be reappointed for an additional term. Members may continue to serve on the board until a new appointment is made.
     (3) The board must create a policy advisory and water resource panel, or, if deemed necessary, the board may form two separate subpanels: A policy advisory panel and a water resource panel.
     (a) For the policy advisory and water resource panel, the board must invite participation from the department and the department of fish and wildlife, other affected state agencies and other interests as appropriate. Each state agency with regulatory or other interests in the WRIA shall assist the board in its duties and responsibilities to the greatest extent practicable, recognizing any fiscal limitations. In providing such assistance and to facilitate representation on the policy advisory and water resource panel, state agencies may organize and agree upon their representation on the panel.
     (b) The board may also appoint members from local government agencies, academia, watershed and salmon recovery entities, businesses, and agricultural and environmental organizations, as the board deems appropriate.
     (c) The policy advisory and water resource panel must assist and advise the board in coordinating and developing water resource-related management programs, planning, and activities within the planning area, including the coordination of efforts with all jurisdictions of the planning area and development of the board's strategic actions.
     (d) For the water resource aspect of the panel, the board must also appoint members to the policy advisory and water resource panel who have expertise and understanding regarding surface water and groundwater monitoring and hydrological analysis, irrigation management and engineering, water rights, fisheries habitat, and economic development.
     (e) The policy advisory and water resource panel must provide technical assistance for the development of the local water plans and provide advice to the board on the criteria for establishment of local water plans and the approval, denial, or modification of the local water plans and any implementations decided upon by the board.
     (4) A board member, employee, or contractor may not engage in any act that is in conflict with the proper discharge of their official duties. Such a conflict of interest includes, but is not limited to, holding a financial interest in a matter before the board.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   (1) The board has the following authority, duties, and responsibilities:
     (a) As required by RCW 90.82.060, assume the duties, responsibilities, and all current activities of the watershed planning unit and the initiating governments included in chapter 90.82 RCW;
     (b) Develop strategic actions for the planning area to carry out the detailed implementation plan developed under chapter 90.82 RCW and revisions to the watershed plan;
     (c) As the board deems necessary, develop and adopt modifications to the watershed plan or obligations imposed by the watershed plan, in consultation with the department;
     (d) Adopt and revise criteria, guidance, and processes to effectuate the purpose of this chapter;
     (e) Administer the local water planning process;
     (f) Oversee local water plan implementation;
     (g) Manage banked water as authorized under this chapter;
     (h) Acquire water rights by donation, purchase, or lease;
     (i) Participate in local, state, tribal, federal, and multistate basin water planning initiatives and programs; and
     (j) Enter into agreements with water rights holders to not divert water that becomes available as a result of local water plans, water management, water banking activities, or other programs and projects endorsed by the board and the department.
     (2) The board may acquire, purchase, hold, lease, manage, occupy, and sell real and personal property, including water rights, or any interest in water rights, enter into and perform all necessary contracts, appoint and employ necessary agents and employees, including an executive director and fix their compensation, employ contractors including contracts for professional services, and do all lawful acts required and expedient to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
     (3) When the board requires technical assistance with regard to a subject matter over which the agency has jurisdiction, the board must request that the state agency provide the assistance to the watershed management board. If such a request is made, the state agency shall, subject to the discretion of the director of the agency, provide the assistance to the watershed management board.
     (4) The board constitutes an independently funded entity, and may provide for its own funding as determined by the board. The board may solicit and accept grants, loans, and donations and may adopt fees for services it provides. The board may not impose taxes or acquire property, including water rights, by the exercise of eminent domain. The board may distribute available funds as grants or loans to local water plans or other water initiatives and projects that will further the goals of the board.
     (5) The board may form a nonprofit corporation organized pursuant to chapter 24.03 or 24.06 RCW for assistance in obtaining funding. The funds of such a corporation are subject to audit in the manner provided by law for the auditing of public funds.
     (6) The ability of the board to fully meet its duties under this chapter is dependent on the level of funding available to the board.
     (7) The board, and its members and staff, acting in their official capacities, are immune from liability and are not subject to any cause of action or claim for damages arising from acts or omissions engaged in under this chapter.
     (8) Upon the creation of the board, and for the duration of the board, the existing planning unit for the planning area, established under RCW 90.82.040, is dissolved and all assets, funds, files, planning documents, pending plans, and grant applications, and other current activities of the planning unit are transferred to the board.
     (9) Any watershed management board formed under this chapter is eligible for any future funding provided for watershed planning under chapter 90.82 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   The board, in collaboration with the department, must provide a written report to the legislature prior to December 1st each year. A copy of the report will also be provided to the county where the WRIA is located.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   (1) The board may establish a mechanism to bank water for the holders of water rights within the planning area to voluntarily deposit the water rights on a temporary or permanent basis.
     (2) The board has the following authority regarding banked water in the planning area:
     (a) The board may accept a surface water right or a groundwater right on a permanent or temporary basis under terms and conditions agreed upon by the water rights holder and the board.
     (b) On a temporary or permanent basis, the board may accept a water right, or portion thereof, that will be made available under local water plans for stream flow enhancement under the terms of the local water plan, as provided in this chapter.
     (c) Except as provided in (d) of this subsection, the board must accept a water right temporarily banked for instream flow without conducting a review of the extent and validity of the water right. Such a water right may not thereafter be authorized for any other purposes while in the water bank. A banked water right that has not been tentatively determined as to its extent and validity is not entitled to be protected from impairment by another water right.
     (d) The board may manage a water right that has been banked as mitigation for impairment to instream flows and other existing water rights. However, the water right may only be available for mitigation to the extent the department determines the water right is valid and use of the water right for mitigation will not cause detriment or injury to existing water rights.
     (3)(a) A water right banked on a temporary basis remains in the ownership of the water rights holder and not the state or the board.
     (b) A water right banked on a permanent basis must be transferred to the state of Washington as a trust water right consistent with RCW 90.42.080.
     (4) A water right or portion of a water right banked under this chapter is not subject to loss by forfeiture under RCW 90.14.130 through 90.14.200. When a temporary water right is withdrawn from banking, the time period that the water right was banked may not be calculated as time water was not used for purposes of RCW 90.14.160, 90.14.170, and 90.14.180.
     (5) When a temporarily deposited water right is withdrawn from banking, the time period that the water right was banked may not be included in the five years of prior water use for purposes of applications to add acreage or purposes of water use under RCW 90.03.380(1).
     (6) Nothing in this chapter forecloses or diminishes the rights of any person to apply to the department to transfer a water right to the state trust water rights program under the authority of chapter 90.42 RCW or to apply for a change of a water right to the department or to a water conservancy board authorized under chapter 90.80 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   (1) If the board intends to develop one or more local water plans, it shall adopt guidelines and criteria for filing, review, and approval of a local water plan. The board shall also develop a dispute resolution process that provides for water users, the board, and the department to resolve disputes regarding the implementation and enforcement of a local water plan.
     (2) A water user or group of water users within the planning area, organized as provided in guidelines adopted by the board, may submit a proposed local water plan to the board.
     (3) A local water plan must include:
     (a) A determination by the board of the baseline water use for all water rights involved in the local water plan, based on the guidelines adopted by the board, and in consultation with the water resource panel. The baseline documents regarding water use that are submitted by the water users may not be used by the department to determine the validity of the water rights in any future administrative or regulatory actions;
     (b) A clearly defined set of practices that provide for flexibility of water use as defined in subsection (4) of this section;
     (c) An estimate of the amount of water that would remain instream either long term or during critical flow periods for fish;
     (d) Performance measures and options for achieving reductions in total water use from the baseline;
     (e) Performance measures for tracking improved stream flows either long term or during critical flow periods for fish; and
     (f) Measurement, tracking, and monitoring measures and procedures that ensure the implementation and enforcement of the measures for flexibility of water use, enhancement of the stream flows, and other elements, terms, and conditions in the local water plan.
     (4) The local water plan may have elements and provide rights to the use and application of water that are not otherwise authorized in the water rights, including:
     (a) The ability to use the quantity of water defined as baseline in subsection (3)(a) of this section on new or additional places of use, from new or additional points of diversion or withdrawal, and at different times of the year;
     (b) The ability to change or add a source of water supply including the use of groundwater to supplement surface water rights and the ability to implement the conjunctive use of the groundwater and surface water; and
     (c) The storage of water and infiltration of the water to the groundwater to supplement shallow groundwater withdrawals or for the purpose of replenishing the aquifer.
     (5) To participate in a local water plan, water rights holders must: (a) Agree to allow a portion or all of their baseline water use to remain instream, as specified in the approved local water plan; (b) have existing operable water conveyance infrastructure in place and available for use; (c) agree that any water made available for stream flow enhancement may not be diverted from the water source and used during the term of the local water plan, but instead must be deposited into the water bank or, upon request by the water rights holder, transferred to the trust water rights program consistent with chapter 90.42 RCW; (d) measure and monitor their water use, stream flows upstream and downstream of the boundaries of the plan, and groundwater levels within the boundaries of the plan; and (e) commit to staying in the program consistent with criteria established by the board.
     (6) Unless agreed upon by the water rights holder, nothing in this chapter diminishes or changes existing water rights.
     (7) The water users must submit annual reports to the department and the board regarding contract performance, consistent with the guidelines adopted by the board.
     (8) A local water plan may be effective for a term of one to ten years.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   (1) The board must provide a thirty day public notice period for the proposal for a local water plan and accept comments from any interested persons during that period.
     (2) To become effective, the local water plan must be approved by both the board and the department. A proposed local water plan must not be approved if the board and the department determine the local water plan will not substantially enhance instream flow conditions.
     (3) The approved local water plan must be signed by the executive director of the board, by the director, and by all water users participating in the local water plan. The local water plan is a contract among the board, the department, and the water users in which all parties agree to abide by all terms and conditions of the local water plan.
     (4) If an approved local water plan is not in compliance with its terms and conditions, the board shall, consistent with the dispute resolution process adopted by the board, seek compliance. If the board revokes a local water plan due to noncompliance, the water users in the local water plan must thereafter exercise the water rights only as the water rights were authorized and conditioned prior to the approval of the local water plan, and all rights and duties that were terms in the local water plan lapse and are not valid or enforceable.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10   (1) Any person not party to the local water plan and aggrieved by the director's decision may appeal the decision to the pollution control hearings board as provided under RCW 43.21B.230.
     (2) A water rights holder who believes the holder's water rights have been impaired by any action under this chapter may request that the department review the impairment claim. If the department determines that some action under this chapter is impairing existing rights, the department, the board, and the water users must amend the local water plan to eliminate the impairment. Any decision of the department to alter or not alter a local water plan is appealable to the pollution control hearings board under RCW 43.21B.230.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11   (1) A local water plan expires by its terms, by withdrawal of one or more water users to the local water plan, or upon agreement by all parties to the contract. Upon the expiration of a local water plan that has been operating for five or more years, the water users may request that the board and the department make the elements of the local water plan, including water deposited to the water bank for placement in the trust water rights program, permanent authorizations and conditions for use of the water rights.
     (2) The request under subsection (1) of this section must be evaluated based on whether:
     (a) The determination of the baseline water use adequately analyzed the extent and validity of the donated water right; and
     (b) Whether there is injury or detriment to other existing water rights; or
     (c) The written approval obtained from the holder of an impaired water right is continued or renewed.
     (3) If the board and the department approve the request under subsection (1) of this section, the department shall issue superseding water rights consistent with the management and uses of the water under the local water plan. That portion of the water rights deposited in the water bank for placement in the trust water rights program must be made permanent and transferred in accordance with chapter 90.42 RCW.
     (4) If the local water plan expires and the water management and uses under the local water plan are not granted approval to be permanent, the water users in the local water plan must thereafter exercise the water rights only as the water rights were authorized and conditioned prior to the local water plan, and all rights and duties that were terms in the local water plan lapse and are not valid or enforceable.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12   (1) The water rights in the local water plan as authorized for the uses described in section 8(4) of this act are:
     (a) Not subject to either the approval of the department under RCW 90.03.380 through 90.03.390, 90.44.100, and 90.44.105, or a tentative determination of the validity and extent of the water rights;
     (b) Not subject to loss by forfeiture under RCW 90.14.130 through 90.14.200 during the period of time from when the local water plan is approved to the expiration or nullification of the local water plan as provided in section 11 of this act; and
     (c) Not to be exercised in a manner that would result in injury or detriment to other existing water rights unless express written approval is obtained from the holder of the impaired water right. To allow impacts to existing instream flow rights, the board and the department must agree that the flow benefits provided by a local water plan outweigh the impacts on existing instream flow rights.
     (2) The years during the period of time when the local water plan is operational may not be considered or calculated as a period of time that the water was not applied to use for purposes of RCW 90.14.130 through 90.14.200. Further, the years during this period of time may not be considered or calculated as a period of time that the water was not applied to use and for purposes of future applications to change the water right for additional purposes or acreage under RCW 90.03.380.

Sec. 13   RCW 90.14.140 and 2012 c 7 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) For the purposes of RCW 90.14.130 through 90.14.180, "sufficient cause" shall be defined as the nonuse of all or a portion of the water by the owner of a water right for a period of five or more consecutive years where such nonuse occurs as a result of:
     (a) Drought, or other unavailability of water;
     (b) Active service in the armed forces of the United States during military crisis;
     (c) Nonvoluntary service in the armed forces of the United States;
     (d) The operation of legal proceedings;
     (e) Federal or state agency leases of or options to purchase lands or water rights which preclude or reduce the use of the right by the owner of the water right;
     (f) Federal laws imposing land or water use restrictions either directly or through the voluntary enrollment of a landowner in a federal program implementing those laws, or acreage limitations, or production quotas;
     (g) Temporarily reduced water need for irrigation use where such reduction is due to varying weather conditions, including but not limited to precipitation and temperature, that warranted the reduction in water use, so long as the water user's diversion and delivery facilities are maintained in good operating condition consistent with beneficial use of the full amount of the water right;
     (h) Temporarily reduced diversions or withdrawals of irrigation water directly resulting from the provisions of a contract or similar agreement in which a supplier of electricity buys back electricity from the water right holder and the electricity is needed for the diversion or withdrawal or for the use of the water diverted or withdrawn for irrigation purposes;
     (i) Water conservation measures implemented under the Yakima river basin water enhancement project, so long as the conserved water is reallocated in accordance with the provisions of P.L. 103-434;
     (j) Reliance by an irrigation water user on the transitory presence of return flows in lieu of diversion or withdrawal of water from the primary source of supply, if such return flows are measured or reliably estimated using a scientific methodology generally accepted as reliable within the scientific community;
     (k) The reduced use of irrigation water resulting from crop rotation. For purposes of this subsection, crop rotation means the temporary change in the type of crops grown resulting from the exercise of generally recognized sound farming practices. Unused water resulting from crop rotation will not be relinquished if the remaining portion of the water continues to be beneficially used; or
     (l) Waiting for a final determination from the department of ecology on a change application filed under RCW 90.03.250, 90.03.380, or 90.44.100.
     (2) Notwithstanding any other provisions of RCW 90.14.130 through 90.14.180, there shall be no relinquishment of any water right:
     (a) If such right is claimed for power development purposes under chapter 90.16 RCW and annual license fees are paid in accordance with chapter 90.16 RCW;
     (b) If such right is used for a standby or reserve water supply to be used in time of drought or other low flow period so long as withdrawal or diversion facilities are maintained in good operating condition for the use of such reserve or standby water supply;
     (c) If such right is claimed for a determined future development to take place either within fifteen years of July 1, 1967, or the most recent beneficial use of the water right, whichever date is later;
     (d) If such right is claimed for municipal water supply purposes under chapter 90.03 RCW;
     (e) If such waters are not subject to appropriation under the applicable provisions of RCW 90.40.030;
     (f) If such right or portion of the right is leased to another person for use on land other than the land to which the right is appurtenant as long as the lessee makes beneficial use of the right in accordance with this chapter and a transfer or change of the right has been approved by the department in accordance with RCW 90.03.380, 90.03.383, 90.03.390, or 90.44.100;
     (g) If such a right or portion of the right is authorized for a purpose that is satisfied by the use of agricultural industrial process water as authorized under RCW 90.46.150;
     (h) If such right is a trust water right under chapter 90.38 or 90.42 RCW;
     (i) If such a right is involved in an approved local water plan created under RCW 90.92.090 or section 9 of this act, provided the right is subject to an agreement not to divert under RCW 90.92.050 or section 5 of this act, or provided the right is banked under RCW 90.92.070 or section 7 of this act.
     (3) In adding provisions to this section by chapter 237, Laws of 2001, the legislature does not intend to imply legislative approval or disapproval of any existing administrative policy regarding, or any existing administrative or judicial interpretation of, the provisions of this section not expressly added or revised.

Sec. 14   RCW 90.03.380 and 2011 c 112 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The right to the use of water which has been applied to a beneficial use in the state shall be and remain appurtenant to the land or place upon which the same is used: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the right may be transferred to another or to others and become appurtenant to any other land or place of use without loss of priority of right theretofore established if such change can be made without detriment or injury to existing rights. The point of diversion of water for beneficial use or the purpose of use may be changed, if such change can be made without detriment or injury to existing rights. A change in the place of use, point of diversion, and/or purpose of use of a water right to enable irrigation of additional acreage or the addition of new uses may be permitted if such change results in no increase in the annual consumptive quantity of water used under the water right. For purposes of this section, "annual consumptive quantity" means the estimated or actual annual amount of water diverted pursuant to the water right, reduced by the estimated annual amount of return flows, averaged over the two years of greatest use within the most recent five-year period of continuous beneficial use of the water right. Before any transfer of such right to use water or change of the point of diversion of water or change of purpose of use can be made, any person having an interest in the transfer or change, shall file a written application therefor with the department, and the application shall not be granted until notice of the application is published as provided in RCW 90.03.280. If it shall appear that such transfer or such change may be made without injury or detriment to existing rights, the department shall issue to the applicant a certificate in duplicate granting the right for such transfer or for such change of point of diversion or of use. The certificate so issued shall be filed and be made a record with the department and the duplicate certificate issued to the applicant may be filed with the county auditor in like manner and with the same effect as provided in the original certificate or permit to divert water. The time period that the water right was banked under RCW 90.92.070 or section 7 of this act, in an approved local water plan created under RCW 90.92.090 or section 9 of this act, or the water right was subject to an agreement to not divert under RCW 90.92.050 or section 5 of this act will not be included in the most recent five-year period of continuous beneficial use for the purpose of determining the annual consumptive quantity under this section. If the water right has not been used during the previous five years but the nonuse of which qualifies for one or more of the statutory good causes or exceptions to relinquishment in RCW 90.14.140 and 90.44.520, the period of nonuse is not included in the most recent five-year period of continuous beneficial use for purposes of determining the annual consumptive quantity of water under this section.
     (2) If an application for change proposes to transfer water rights from one irrigation district to another, the department shall, before publication of notice, receive concurrence from each of the irrigation districts that such transfer or change will not adversely affect the ability to deliver water to other landowners or impair the financial integrity of either of the districts.
     (3) A change in place of use by an individual water user or users of water provided by an irrigation district need only receive approval for the change from the board of directors of the district if the use of water continues within the irrigation district, and when water is provided by an irrigation entity that is a member of a board of joint control created under chapter 87.80 RCW, approval need only be received from the board of joint control if the use of water continues within the area of jurisdiction of the joint board and the change can be made without detriment or injury to existing rights.
     (4) This section shall not apply to trust water rights acquired by the state through the funding of water conservation projects under chapter 90.38 RCW or RCW 90.42.010 through 90.42.070.
     (5)(a) Pending applications for new water rights are not entitled to protection from impairment, injury, or detriment when an application relating to an existing surface or ground water right is considered.
     (b) Applications relating to existing surface or ground water rights may be processed and decisions on them rendered independently of processing and rendering decisions on pending applications for new water rights within the same source of supply without regard to the date of filing of the pending applications for new water rights.
     (c) Notwithstanding any other existing authority to process applications, including but not limited to the authority to process applications under WAC 173-152-050 as it existed on January 1, 2001, an application relating to an existing surface or ground water right may be processed ahead of a previously filed application relating to an existing right when sufficient information for a decision on the previously filed application is not available and the applicant for the previously filed application is sent written notice that explains what information is not available and informs the applicant that processing of the next application will begin. The previously filed application does not lose its priority date and if the information is provided by the applicant within sixty days, the previously filed application shall be processed at that time. This subsection (5)(c) does not affect any other existing authority to process applications.
     (d) Nothing in this subsection (5) is intended to stop the processing of applications for new water rights.
     (6) No applicant for a change, transfer, or amendment of a water right may be required to give up any part of the applicant's valid water right or claim to a state agency, the trust water rights program, or to other persons as a condition of processing the application.
     (7) In revising the provisions of this section and adding provisions to this section by chapter 237, Laws of 2001, the legislature does not intend to imply legislative approval or disapproval of any existing administrative policy regarding, or any existing administrative or judicial interpretation of, the provisions of this section not expressly added or revised.
     (8) The development and use of a small irrigation impoundment, as defined in RCW 90.03.370(8), does not constitute a change or amendment for the purposes of this section. The exemption expressly provided by this subsection shall not be construed as requiring a change or transfer of any existing water right to enable the holder of the right to store water governed by the right.
     (9) This section does not apply to a water right involved in an approved local water plan created under RCW 90.92.090 or section 9 of this act, a water right that is subject to an agreement not to divert under RCW 90.92.050 or section 5 of this act, or a banked water right under RCW 90.92.070 or section 7 of this act.
     (10)(a) The department may only approve an application submitted after July 22, 2011, for an interbasin water rights transfer after providing notice electronically to the board of county commissioners in the county of origin upon receipt of an application.
     (b) For the purposes of this subsection:
     (i) "Interbasin water rights transfer" means a transfer of a water right for which the proposed point of diversion is in a different basin than the proposed place of beneficial use.
     (ii) "County of origin" means the county from which a water right is transferred or proposed to be transferred.
     (c) This subsection applies to counties located east of the crest of the Cascade mountains.

Sec. 15   RCW 90.44.100 and 2009 c 183 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) After an application to, and upon the issuance by the department of an amendment to the appropriate permit or certificate of groundwater right, the holder of a valid right to withdraw public groundwaters may, without losing the holder's priority of right, construct wells or other means of withdrawal at a new location in substitution for or in addition to those at the original location, or the holder may change the manner or the place of use of the water.
     (2) An amendment to construct replacement or a new additional well or wells at a location outside of the location of the original well or wells or to change the manner or place of use of the water shall be issued only after publication of notice of the application and findings as prescribed in the case of an original application. Such amendment shall be issued by the department only on the conditions that: (a) The additional or replacement well or wells shall tap the same body of public groundwater as the original well or wells; (b) where a replacement well or wells is approved, the use of the original well or wells shall be discontinued and the original well or wells shall be properly decommissioned as required under chapter 18.104 RCW; (c) where an additional well or wells is constructed, the original well or wells may continue to be used, but the combined total withdrawal from the original and additional well or wells shall not enlarge the right conveyed by the original permit or certificate; and (d) other existing rights shall not be impaired. The department may specify an approved manner of construction and shall require a showing of compliance with the terms of the amendment, as provided in RCW 90.44.080 in the case of an original permit.
     (3) The construction of a replacement or new additional well or wells at the location of the original well or wells shall be allowed without application to the department for an amendment. However, the following apply to such a replacement or new additional well: (a) The well shall tap the same body of public groundwater as the original well or wells; (b) if a replacement well is constructed, the use of the original well or wells shall be discontinued and the original well or wells shall be properly decommissioned as required under chapter 18.104 RCW; (c) if a new additional well is constructed, the original well or wells may continue to be used, but the combined total withdrawal from the original and additional well or wells shall not enlarge the right conveyed by the original water use permit or certificate; (d) the construction and use of the well shall not interfere with or impair water rights with an earlier date of priority than the water right or rights for the original well or wells; (e) the replacement or additional well shall be located no closer than the original well to a well it might interfere with; (f) the department may specify an approved manner of construction of the well; and (g) the department shall require a showing of compliance with the conditions of this subsection (3).
     (4) As used in this section, the "location of the original well or wells" is the area described as the point of withdrawal in the original public notice published for the application for the water right for the well.
     (5) The development and use of a small irrigation impoundment, as defined in RCW 90.03.370(8), does not constitute a change or amendment for the purposes of this section. The exemption expressly provided by this subsection shall not be construed as requiring an amendment of any existing water right to enable the holder of the right to store water governed by the right.
     (6) This section does not apply to a water right involved in an approved local water plan created under RCW 90.92.090 or section 9 of this act or a banked water right under RCW 90.92.070 or section 7 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16   Sections 13, 14, and 15 of this act expire June 30, 2019.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17   Sections 1 through 12 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 90 RCW.