BILL REQ. #:  H-1734.7 

READ FIRST TIME 03/04/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to certainty and flexibility of municipal water rights and efficient use of water; amending RCW 90.03.015, 90.14.031, 90.03.260, 90.03.386, 90.03.330, 90.48.495, 90.48.112, and 90.46.120; adding new sections to chapter 90.03 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 90.14 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 70.119A RCW; adding new sections to chapter 43.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 90.82 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 90.44 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that state laws have long recognized that communities are dynamic entities. The legislature also finds that any interpretation of its laws that would require its communities to be ossified or frozen in time or would require their future growth to be precisely predictable defies the needs of human society. The legislature has provided numerous means and considerable guidance to its communities regarding their growth and for providing essential services within them as they grow. While the legislature recognizes that the totality of the statutory law that governs such communities is found in a wide variety of places throughout the codified version of the statute laws, the Revised Code of Washington, the legislature also recognizes that it has not always expressly announced in the portion of those statutes generally referred to as the state's water laws how the nature of water rights held by municipal water suppliers accommodates the growth of and changes in communities and the requirements placed on them and authorities granted to them by other laws. The legislature finds that this is in part because state policies in the administration of the water laws have reflected the dynamic nature of human habitation and population growth from within and from without the state. For a very long time, these policies recognized that a water right for municipal water supply purposes is "perfected" when facilities for diverting or withdrawing and distributing the water are constructed but before all of the water is placed to actual use within the community or communities served.
     With the enactment of this legislation, the legislature intends to provide within the water laws a curative clarification of the relationship of water rights for municipal water supply purposes to the requirements of other law and the realities of growth.

Sec. 2   RCW 90.03.015 and 1987 c 109 s 65 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((As used in this chapter:)) The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Department" means the department of ecology((;)).
     (2) "Director" means the director of ecology((; and)).
     (3) "Municipal water supplier" means an entity that supplies water for municipal water supply purposes.
     (4) "Municipal water supply purposes" means a beneficial use of water: (a) For residential purposes through fifteen or more residential service connections or providing residential use of water for a nonresidential population that is, on average, at least twenty-five people for at least sixty days a year; (b) for residential purposes through fifteen or more residential service connections or providing residential use of water for a nonresidential population that is, on average, at least twenty-five people for at least sixty days a year and for commercial, industrial, irrigation of parks and open spaces, governmental, governmental proprietary, or related purposes; or (c) through the delivery of treated or raw water to a public water system for the delivery of water for the purposes in (a) or (b) of this subsection.
     (5) "Person" means any firm, association, water users' association, corporation, irrigation district, or municipal corporation, as well as an individual.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 90.03 RCW to read as follows:
     Beneficial uses of water under a municipal water supply purposes water right may include water for:
     (1) Uses that benefit fish and wildlife, water quality, or other instream resources or related habitat values; or
     (2) Uses that are needed to implement environmental obligations called for by a watershed plan approved under chapter 90.82 RCW or a comprehensive watershed plan adopted under RCW 90.54.040(1), a federally approved habitat conservation plan prepared in response to the listing of a species as being endangered or threatened under the federal endangered species act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq., or a comprehensive irrigation district management plan.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 90.03 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) If a municipal water supplier acquires an existing surface or ground water right or a portion of such a right that is for municipal water supply purposes, the right or that portion of the right remains a water right for municipal water supply purposes. If a municipal water supplier acquires an existing surface or ground water right that is not a municipal water supply purpose right, the right may be changed to municipal water supply purposes upon the approval of the department in accordance with the water right change provisions of this chapter and the amendment provisions of chapter 90.44 RCW.
     (2) When requested by a municipal water supplier or when processing a change or amendment to the right, the department shall amend the water right documents and related records to ensure that municipal supply purpose rights are correctly identified.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 90.14 RCW to read as follows:
     When a municipal water supplier acquires an existing water right that is not a municipal water supply purpose right, that right is not subject to relinquishment for nonuse occurring during the time that the acquirer diligently seeks the department's approval to change the right to municipal water supply purposes. Once a change to municipal water supply purposes is approved by the department, the right is thereafter subject to the exception from relinquishment in RCW 90.14.140(2)(d).

Sec. 6   RCW 90.14.031 and 1969 ex.s. c 284 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, the following words and phrases as used in RCW 90.14.031 through 90.14.121 shall have the following meanings:))
     (1) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Municipal water supplier" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 90.03.015.
     (b) "Municipal water supply purpose" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 90.03.015.
     (2) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout RCW 90.14.031 through 90.14.121 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, association, public or private corporation, city or other municipality, county, or a state agency, and the United States of America when claiming water rights established under the laws of the state of Washington.
     (((2))) (b) "Beneficial use" shall include, but not be limited to, use for domestic water, irrigation, fish, shellfish, game and other aquatic life, municipal, recreation, industrial water, generation of electric power, and navigation.

Sec. 7   RCW 90.03.260 and 1987 c 109 s 84 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Each application for permit to appropriate water shall set forth the name and post office address of the applicant, the source of water supply, the nature and amount of the proposed use, the time during which water will be required each year, the location and description of the proposed ditch, canal, or other work, the time within which the completion of the construction and the time for the complete application of the water to the proposed use.
     (2) If for agricultural purposes, ((it)) the application shall give the legal subdivision of the land and the acreage to be irrigated, as near as may be, and the amount of water expressed in acre feet to be supplied per season. If for power purposes, it shall give the nature of the works by means of which the power is to be developed, the head and amount of water to be utilized, and the uses to which the power is to be applied.
     (3) If for construction of a reservoir, ((it)) the application shall give the height of the dam, the capacity of the reservoir, and the uses to be made of the impounded waters.
     (4) If for community or multiple domestic water supply, the application shall give the projected number of service connections sought to be served. However, for a municipal water supplier that has an approved water system plan under chapter 43.20 RCW or an approval from the department of health to serve a specified number of service connections, the service connection figure in the application or any subsequent water right document is not an attribute limiting exercise of the water right.
     (5) If for municipal water supply, ((it)) the application shall give the present population to be served, and, as near as may be estimated, the future requirement of the municipality. However, for a municipal water supplier that has an approved water system plan under chapter 43.20 RCW or an approval from the department of health to serve a specified number of service connections, the population figures in the application or any subsequent water right document are not an attribute limiting exercise of the water right.
     (6) If for mining purposes, ((it)) the application shall give the nature of the mines to be served and the method of supplying and utilizing the water; also their location by legal subdivisions.
     (7) All applications shall be accompanied by such maps and drawings, in duplicate, and such other data, as may be required by the department, and such accompanying data shall be considered as a part of the application.

Sec. 8   RCW 90.03.386 and 1991 c 350 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Within service areas established pursuant to chapter((s)) 43.20 ((and)) or 70.116 RCW, the department of ecology and the department of health shall coordinate approval procedures to ensure compliance and consistency with the approved water system plan.
     (2) The effect of the department of health's approval of a planning or engineering document that describes a municipal water supplier's service area under chapter 43.20 RCW, or the local legislative authority's approval of service area boundaries in accordance with procedures adopted pursuant to chapter 70.116 RCW, is that the place of use of a surface water right or ground water right used by the supplier is equivalent to, and coexistent with, the approved service area if the supplier is in compliance with the terms of the water system plan or small water system management program, including those regarding water conservation.
     (3) A municipal water supplier must implement cost-effective water conservation in accordance with the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of this act as part of its approved water system plan or small water system management program. With regard to water diverted or withdrawn by the municipal water supplier under a particular surface or ground water right, the municipal water supplier must fully utilize the water resulting from its conservation activities affecting water use under the right before it utilizes any inchoate portion of the water right. When establishing or extending a surface or ground water right construction schedule under RCW 90.03.320, the department must take into consideration the public water system's use of conserved water.

Sec. 9   RCW 90.03.330 and 1987 c 109 s 89 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Upon a showing satisfactory to the department that any appropriation has been perfected in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, it shall be the duty of the department to issue to the applicant a certificate stating such facts in a form to be prescribed by ((him)) the director, and such certificate shall thereupon be recorded with the department. Any original water right certificate issued, as provided by this chapter, shall be recorded with the department and thereafter, at the expense of the party receiving the same, be transmitted by the department ((transmitted)) to the county auditor of the county or counties where the distributing system or any part thereof is located, and be recorded in the office of such county auditor, and thereafter be transmitted to the owner thereof.
     (2) Except as provided for the issuance of certificates under RCW 90.03.240 and for the issuance of certificates following the approval of a change, transfer, or amendment under RCW 90.03.380 or 90.44.100, the department shall not revoke or diminish a certificate issued for a surface or ground water right for municipal water supply purposes unless the certificate was issued with ministerial errors or was obtained through misrepresentation. The department may adjust such a certificate under this subsection if ministerial errors are discovered, but only to the extent necessary to correct the ministerial errors. The department may diminish the right represented by such a certificate if the certificate was obtained through a misrepresentation on the part of the applicant or permit holder, but only to the extent of the misrepresentation. The authority provided by this subsection does not include revoking, diminishing, or adjusting a certificate based on any change in policy regarding the issuance of such certificates that has occurred since the certificate was issued. This subsection may not be construed as providing any authority to the department to revoke, diminish, or adjust a certificate for a water right for any purpose other than municipal water supply purposes.
     (3) This subsection applies to the water right represented by a water right certificate issued prior to the effective date of this section for municipal water supply purposes where the certificate was issued based on an administrative policy for issuing such certificates once works for diverting or withdrawing and distributing water for municipal supply purposes were constructed rather than after the water had been placed to actual beneficial use. Such a water right is a right in good standing as long as the potential use and use of water under the right is consistent with the principles of the administrative policy that led to its being issued, as that policy existed when the certificate was issued.
     (4) After the effective date of this section, the department must issue a new certificate under subsection (1) of this section only for the perfected portion of a water right as demonstrated through actual beneficial use of water.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10   A new section is added to chapter 70.119A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The purpose of this section is to establish water use efficiency requirements designed to ensure efficient use of water while maintaining system financial viability, improving affordability of supplies, and enhancing system reliability. The requirements apply to all municipal water suppliers, as defined in RCW 90.03.015, and must be tailored to be appropriate for a system's size, forecasted demand, and supply constraints.
     (2) By December 31, 2005, the department must adopt rules that:
     (a) Establish water distribution system leakage standards to ensure that municipal water suppliers are taking appropriate steps to reduce and maintain leakage rates. The standards must include a graduated system of requirements based on levels of water system leakage and must be limited to a percentage of the total water supplied. A municipal water supplier must select one or more control methods appropriate for addressing leakage in its water system or systems;
     (b) Establish minimum requirements for collecting and reporting source production, purchased water, and water consumption data that will allow an identification of water use patterns among different customer classes and evaluations of the effectiveness of the system's conservation program. The requirements for a system, including its frequency of reporting, must be appropriate for the size and complexity of the system. The data must be reported to the department and must be available to the public. The department must submit a report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 15th of each year summarizing the information received during the previous twelve months;
     (c) Establish criteria that identify how the department will determine whether municipal water suppliers are fulfilling the obligations established for them in section 11 of this act when the department reviews the conservation elements of water system plans and small water system management programs, submitted to it under chapter 43.20 RCW or submitted as part of coordinated water system planning under chapter 70.116 RCW. The criteria must take into consideration the historic conservation performance and conservation investment of the supplier, regional climate variations, and the supplier's customer base demographics, forecasted demand, and system supply constraints;
     (d) Establish minimum requirements for water demand forecast methodologies to be used by municipal water suppliers; and
     (e) Ensure compliance with the provisions of this section and section 11 of this act. The compliance processes established under this section must incorporate the graduated approach specified for the enforcement of water laws in RCW 90.03.605(1) (a) through (c).
     (3) The department must establish an advisory committee to assist it in developing rules under this section. The advisory committee must include representatives from public water system customers, environmental interest groups, business interest groups, a representative cross-section of municipal water suppliers, tribal governments, the department of ecology, and any other members determined necessary by the department.
     (4) The department must provide, upon request, technical assistance to public water systems and local governments regarding water conservation. The assistance must be available regarding, but is not limited to, the development of best management practices for water conservation programs, conservation landscape ordinances, conservation rate structures for public water systems, and general public education programs on water conservation.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11   A new section is added to chapter 70.119A RCW to read as follows:
     A municipal water supplier, as defined in RCW 90.03.015, must integrate conservation planning into its overall system operation and management and must appropriately fund conservation activities. A municipal water supplier must adopt and achieve water conservation objectives as part of its water system plan or small water system management program developed under chapter 43.20 RCW or as part of a coordinated water system plan under chapter 70.116 RCW. The objectives must be for improving the efficiency of its water system or systems over time, relative to past performance. Conservation performance objectives must be established by the supplier in an open public forum and must include, but are not limited to, the following:
     (1) Timelines for setting and achieving conservation objectives to ensure that progress is being made toward the objectives;
     (2) A range of reasonably achievable targets for reductions in consumption per equivalent residential unit, or other measurable criteria, over time. If a municipal water supplier determines that further reductions in consumption are not reasonably achievable, it must identify how current consumption levels will be maintained;
     (3) A selection of cost-effective measures to achieve the system's water conservation objectives;
     (4) An evaluation of water delivery rate structures that encourage water conservation; and
     (5) The development and updating of a water demand forecast for each of the municipal water supplier's water supply systems.
     Prior to the date by which the department must adopt rules under section 10(2) of this act and for the purposes of chapter 90.03 RCW, a municipal water supplier with one thousand or more service connections is in compliance with the terms of its water system plan regarding water conservation if the supplier is in compliance with the conservation elements of its current plan or program and it can document an improvement in the efficiency of water use or delivery in the system over the last six years.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12   A new section is added to chapter 43.20 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall consult with the departments of ecology, fish and wildlife, and community, trade, and economic development when it approves water system plans of public water systems. In approving such a plan, the department shall ensure the plan accommodates the duty of the public water system to provide water for new residential use within its service area as described in section 13 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13   A new section is added to chapter 43.20 RCW to read as follows:
     The first choice of water supply for a new residential use of water within the service area of public water system, for which a public water system plan is required under this chapter, is water service from the public water system. The public water system has a duty to provide the water service within its service area if its service can be available in a timely and cost-effective manner and it has sufficient water rights to provide the service. The service is available in a timely manner if the water can be provided within one hundred twenty days, unless the party representing the new residential use requests a longer period. The service is available in a cost-effective manner if the total cost to obtain the water from the public water system, including but not limited to construction and engineering costs, connection fees, and operating costs, does not exceed one hundred twenty percent of the total cost of providing water service from a well for the new residential use under the permit exemption of RCW 90.44.050.

Sec. 14   RCW 90.48.495 and 1989 c 348 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     The department of ecology shall require sewer plans to include a discussion of water conservation measures considered or underway that would reduce flows to the sewerage system and an analysis of their anticipated impact on public sewer service and treatment capacity. The plans must consider the feasibility of providing assistance to implement water conservation measures as an alternative to constructing new or expanded treatment capacity.

Sec. 15   RCW 90.48.112 and 1997 c 444 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     The evaluation of any plans submitted under RCW 90.48.110 must include consideration of opportunities for the use of reclaimed water as defined in RCW 90.46.010. Wastewater plans submitted under RCW 90.48.110 must include a statement describing how applicable reclamation and reuse elements will be coordinated as required under RCW 90.46.120(2).

Sec. 16   RCW 90.46.120 and 1997 c 444 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The owner of a wastewater treatment facility that is reclaiming water with a permit issued under this chapter has the exclusive right to any reclaimed water generated by the wastewater treatment facility. Use and distribution of the reclaimed water by the owner of the wastewater treatment facility is exempt from the permit requirements of RCW 90.03.250 and 90.44.060. Revenues derived from the reclaimed water facility shall be used only to offset the cost of operation of the wastewater utility fund or other applicable source of system-wide funding.
     (2) If the proposed use or uses of reclaimed water are intended to augment or replace potable water supplies or create the potential for the development of additional potable water supplies, such use or uses shall be considered in the development of the regional water supply plan or plans addressing potable water supply service by multiple water purveyors. The owner of a wastewater treatment facility that proposes to reclaim water shall be included as a participant in the development of such regional water supply plan or plans.
     (3) Where opportunities for the use of reclaimed water exist within the period of time addressed by a water supply plan or coordinated water system plan developed under chapter 43.20 or 70.116 RCW, these plans must be developed and coordinated to ensure that opportunities for reclaimed water are evaluated. The requirements of this subsection (3) do not apply to water system plans developed under chapter 43.20 RCW for utilities serving less than one thousand service connections.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17   A new section is added to chapter 90.03 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The right to use water under an unperfected surface water right for municipal water supply purposes or a portion thereof held by a municipal water supplier may be changed or transferred in the same manner as provided by RCW 90.03.380 for any purpose if:
     (a) The supplier is in compliance with the terms of an approved water system plan or small water system management program under chapter 43.20 or 70.116 RCW that applies to the supplier, including those regarding water conservation;
     (b) Instream flows have been established by rule for the water resource inventory area, as established in chapter 173-500 WAC as it exists on the effective date of this section, that is the source of the water for the transfer or change;
     (c) A comprehensive watershed plan has been approved for the water resource inventory area under chapter 90.82 RCW that satisfies the requirements of sections 5, 6, and 7, chapter . . ., Laws of 2003 (sections 5, 6, and 7 of SHB 1336) or has been adopted under RCW 90.54.040(1) that satisfies the requirements of section 9, chapter . . ., Laws of 2003 (section 9 of SHB 1336); and
     (d) Stream flows that satisfy the instream flows referred to in (b) of this subsection are met or the milestones for satisfying those instream flows referred to in (c) of this subsection are being met.
     (2) If the criteria listed in subsection (1)(a) through (d) of this section are not satisfied, the right to use water under an unperfected surface water right for municipal water supply purposes or a portion thereof held by a municipal water supplier may nonetheless be changed or transferred in the same manner as provided by RCW 90.03.380 if the change or transfer is:
     (a) Subject to stream flow protection or restoration requirements contained in: A federally approved habitat conservation plan under the federal endangered species act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq., a hydropower license of the federal energy regulatory commission, or a watershed agreement established under section 19 of this act; or
     (b) For resolving or alleviating a public health or safety emergency caused by a failing public water supply system currently providing potable water to existing users, as such a system is described in section 18 of this act, and if the change, transfer, or amendment is for correcting the actual or anticipated cause or causes of the public water system failure. Inadequate water rights for a public water system to serve existing hookups or to accommodate future population growth or other future uses do not constitute a public health or safety emergency.
     (3) If the recipient of water under a change, transfer, or amendment authorized by subsection (1) of this section is a water supply system, the receiving system must also be in compliance with the terms of an approved water system plan or small water system management program under chapter 43.20 or 70.116 RCW that applies to the system, including those regarding water conservation.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 18   A new section is added to chapter 90.03 RCW to read as follows:
     To be considered a failing public water system for the purposes of section 17 of this act, the department of health, in consultation with the department and the local health authority, must make a determination that the system meets one or more of the following conditions:
     (1) A public water system has failed, or is in danger of failing within two years, to meet state board of health standards for the delivery of potable water to existing users in adequate quantity or quality to meet basic human drinking, cooking, and sanitation needs;
     (2) The current water source has failed or will fail so that the public water system is or will become incapable of exercising its existing water rights to meet existing needs for drinking, cooking, and sanitation purposes after all reasonable conservation efforts have been implemented; or
     (3) A change in source is required to meet drinking water quality standards and avoid unreasonable treatment costs, or the state department of health determines that the existing source of supply is unacceptable for human use.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 19   A new section is added to chapter 90.03 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) On a pilot project basis, the department may enter into watershed agreements with one or more municipal water suppliers in a watershed to meet the objectives established in a water resource management program approved or being developed under chapter 90.82 RCW. The term of an agreement may not exceed ten years, but the agreement may be renewed or amended upon agreement of the parties.
     (2) Watershed agreements must be consistent with:
     (a) Growth management plans developed under chapter 36.70A RCW where these plans are adopted and in effect;
     (b) Water supply plans and small water system management programs approved under chapter 43.20 or 70.116 RCW;
     (c) Coordinated water supply plans approved under chapter 70.116 RCW; and
     (d) Water use efficiency and conservation requirements and standards established by the state department of health or such requirements and standards as are provided in an approved watershed plan, whichever are the more stringent.
     (3) A watershed agreement must:
     (a) Require the public water system operated by the participating municipal water supplier to meet obligations under the watershed plan;
     (b) Establish performance measures and timelines for measures to be completed;
     (c) Provide for monitoring of stream flows and metering of water use as needed to ensure that the terms of the agreement are met; and
     (d) Require annual reports from the water users regarding performance under the agreement.
     (4) As needed to implement watershed agreement activities, the department may provide or receive funding, or both, under its existing authorities.
     (5) The department must provide opportunity for public review of a proposed agreement before it is executed. The department must make proposed and executed watershed agreements and annual reports available on the department's internet web site.
     (6) The department must consult with affected local governments and the state departments of health and fish and wildlife before executing an agreement.
     (7) Before executing a watershed agreement, the department must conduct a government-to-government consultation with affected tribal governments. The municipal water suppliers operating the public water systems that are proposing to enter the agreements must be invited to participate in the consultations. During these consultations, the department and the municipal water suppliers shall explore the potential interest of the tribal governments or governments in participating in the agreement.
     (8) Any person aggrieved by the department's failure to satisfy the requirements in subsection (3) of this section as embodied in the department's decision to enter a watershed agreement under this section may, within thirty days of the execution of such an agreement, appeal the department's decision to the pollution control hearings board under chapter 43.21B RCW.
     (9) Any projects implemented by a municipal water system under the terms of an agreement reached under this section may be continued and maintained by the municipal water system after the agreement expires or is terminated.
     (10) The departments of ecology and fish and wildlife must select, with the approval of the county legislative authorities of the counties involved, up to two areas engaged in watershed planning under this chapter to participate on a voluntary basis in the pilot project. The pilot areas selected should be planning areas that are relatively advanced in the development and adoption of their plans.
     (11) Before December 31, 2003, and December 31, 2004, the department must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature the results of the pilot projects provided for in this section. Based on the experience of the pilot project areas, the department must offer any suggested changes in law that would improve, facilitate, and maximize the implementation of watershed plans adopted under this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 20   A new section is added to chapter 90.82 RCW to read as follows:
     The department may not enter into new watershed agreements under section 19 of this act after July 1, 2008. This section does not apply to the renewal of agreements in effect prior to that date.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 21   A new section is added to chapter 90.03 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall give priority to processing new water right applications under RCW 90.03.290, reservoir permits under RCW 90.03.370, and applications for changes and transfers under RCW 90.03.380 through 90.03.397, whenever necessary to provide for timely and effective implementation of a watershed plan adopted under chapter 90.82 RCW or RCW 90.54.040(1) or a watershed agreement authorized under section 19 of this act. This section applies only to the sequence of application processing and does not affect the relative priority date of any resulting water rights.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 22   A new section is added to chapter 90.44 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall give priority to processing new water right applications under RCW 90.44.050, and applications for changes and transfers under RCW 90.44.100 and 90.44.105, whenever necessary to provide for timely and effective implementation of a watershed plan adopted under chapter 90.82 RCW or RCW 90.54.040(1) or a watershed agreement authorized under section 19 of this act. This section applies only to the sequence of application processing and does not affect the relative priority date of any resulting water rights.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 23   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.