Filing of a statement of a claim shall take place and be completed upon receipt by the department of ecology, at its office in Olympia, of an original statement signed by the claimant or his or her authorized agent, and two copies thereof. Any person required to file hereunder may file through a designated representative. A company, district, public or municipal corporation, or the United States when furnishing to persons water pertaining to water rights required to be filed under RCW 90.14.041, shall have the right to file one claim on behalf of said persons on a form prepared by the department for the total benefits of each person served; provided that a separate claim shall be filed by such company, district, public or private corporation, or the United States for each operating unit of the filing entity providing such water and for each water source. Within thirty days after receipt of a statement of claim the department shall acknowledge the same by a notation on one copy indicating receipt thereof and the date of receipt, together with the wording of the first sentence of RCW 90.14.081, and shall return said copy by certified or registered mail to the claimant at the address set forth in the statement of claim. No statement of claim shall be accepted for filing by the department of ecology unless accompanied by a two dollar filing fee.

Severability—1969 ex.s. c 284: See note following RCW 90.48.290.