AN ACT Relating to extending the effective date of emergency drought relief laws enacted or amended in 1987; amending RCW 43.83B.300, 43.83B.310, and 43.83B.344; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1. Section 1, chapter 1, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. as last amended by section 1, chapter 343, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.83B.300 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds that it is necessary to provide the department of ecology with emergency powers to authorize withdrawals of public surface and ground waters, including dead storage within reservoirs, on a temporary basis, and construction of facilities in relation thereto, in order to alleviate emergency water supply conditions arising from the drought forecast for the state of Washington during 1977 and during 1987 through 1989.

The legislature further finds that there is a continuing agricultural water supply shortage in many areas of the state and that, in relation to the lessening of that unsatisfactory condition, there is an urgent need to both improve water supply facilities and replace other such facilities.

In order to provide needed capital for the planning, acquisition, construction, and improvement of water supply facilities to withdraw and distribute water to alleviate unsatisfactory water supply conditions arising from droughts occurring from time to time in the state of Washington, the state finance committee is authorized to issue general obligation bonds of the state of Washington in the sum of eighteen million dollars, or so much thereof as may be required to finance such projects, and all costs incidental thereto. No bonds authorized by this section and RCW 43.83B.360 through 43.83B.375 shall be offered for sale without prior legislative appropriation, and these bonds shall be paid and discharged within thirty years of the date of issuance in accordance with Article VIII, section 1 of the state Constitution.

Sec. 2. Section 3, chapter 1, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. as amended by section 2, chapter 343, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.83B.310 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to the powers previously vested in the department of ecology to permit the withdrawal of public surface and ground waters by chapters 90.03 and 90.44 RCW, the department of ecology is authorized to permit withdrawals of public surface and ground waters, including dead storage within reservoirs, on a temporary basis, for any period ending not later than ((~~October 31, 1987~~)) April 30, 1989, for any beneficial use. The department may issue such emergency permits if, after investigation and after providing appropriate federal, state, and local governmental bodies an opportunity to comment, the following are found:

(1) The waters proposed for withdrawal are to be used in relation to beneficial use involving a previously established activity or purpose; and

(2) The previously established activity or purpose was furnished water through rights applicable to the use of a public water body which are not exercisable due to the lack of water arising from natural drought conditions; and

(3) The proposed withdrawal will not reduce flows or levels below essential minimums necessary (a) to assure the maintenance of fisheries requirements, and (b) to protect federal and state interests including, among others, power generation, navigation, and existing water rights.

All permits issued hereunder shall contain provisions which allow for termination of authorized withdrawals, in whole or in part, whenever withdrawals will conflict with flows and levels as provided in subsection (3) of this section.

Sec. 3. Section 9, chapter 343, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.83B.344 are each amended to read as follows:

For a limited period of time ending ((~~October 31, 1987~~)) April 30, 1989, a water right may be temporarily changed in purpose or place of use or point of diversion consistent with existing state policy allowing transfer or lease of waters between willing parties as provided for in RCW 90.03.380, 90.03.390, and 90.44.100 without complying with any requirements of (1) notice of newspaper publication or (2) the state environmental policy act, chapter 43.21C RCW, when such changes are necessary to respond to emergency water supply conditions as determined by the department of ecology. The temporary changing of a water right as authorized under this section shall not be admissible as evidence in either the supporting or the contesting of the validity of water claims in State of Washington, Department of Ecology v. Acquavella, or any similar proceeding where the existence of a water right is at issue.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.