Nothing in this chapter shall affect any right to withdraw and use public waters if such rights were in effect prior to *the effective date of the act, and nothing herein shall modify the priority of any such existing right.

*Reviser's note: "The effective date of the act" [1979 c 3 (Initiative Measure No. 59)], consisting of RCW 90.66.010 through 90.66.080, 90.66.900, and 90.66.910, is "thirty days after the election at which it is approved" as mandated by Article II, section 1(d) of the Washington Constitution. Initiative Measure No. 59 was approved by the voters at the election November 8, 1977, and was so certified by the governor on December 8, 1977.