PDFWAC 173-503-020
Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to retain perennial rivers, streams, and lakes in the Lower and Upper Skagit water resources inventory area and Cultus Mt. Tributaries with instream flows and levels necessary to provide for the protection and preservation of wildlife, fish, scenic, aesthetic, and other environmental values, and navigational values, as well as recreation and water quality.
Chapter 90.54 RCW (Water Resources Act of 1971) requires that utilization and management of waters of the state be guided by a number of fundamentals, including:
Uses of water for domestic, stock watering, industrial, commercial, agricultural, irrigation, hydroelectric power production, mining, fish and wildlife maintenance and enhancement, recreational, and thermal power production purposes, and preservation of environmental and aesthetic values, and all other uses compatible with the enjoyment of the public waters of the state, are declared to be beneficial. (RCW 90.54.020(1))
The quality of the natural environment shall be protected and, where possible, enhanced, as follows:
Perennial rivers and streams of the state shall be retained with base flows necessary to provide for the protection and preservation of wildlife, fish, scenic, aesthetic and other environmental values, and navigational values. Lakes and ponds shall be retained substantially in their natural condition. Withdrawals of water which would conflict therewith shall be authorized only in those situations where it is clear that overriding considerations of the public interest will be served. (RCW 90.54.020 (3)(a))
Waters of the state shall be of high quality. Regardless of the quality of the waters of the state, all wastes and other materials and substances proposed for entry into said waters shall be provided with all known, available, and reasonable methods of treatment prior to entry. Notwithstanding that standards of quality established for the waters of the state would not be violated, wastes and other materials and substances shall not be allowed to enter such waters which will reduce the existing quality thereof, except in those situations where it is clear that overriding considerations of the public interest will be served. (RCW 90.54.020 (3)(b))
In administering and enforcing this regulation, the department's actions shall be consistent with the provisions of chapter 90.54 RCW.
[Recodified by WSR 13-21-044, filed 10/9/13, by order of the Supreme Court in the matter of Swinomish Tribal Comm'y v. Dep't Ecology, Supreme Court of the State of Washington No. 87672-0 (October 3, 2013); Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.27A, 90.54, 90.22, and 90.82 RCW. WSR 06-11-070 (Order 05-15), § 173-503-020, filed 5/15/06, effective 6/15/06. Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.54 and 90.22 RCW, and chapter 173-500 WAC. WSR 01-07-027 (Order 99-05), § 173-503-020, filed 3/14/01, effective 4/14/01.]
Reviser's note: The Supreme Court in the matter of Swinomish Tribal Comm'y v. Dep't Ecology, Supreme Court of the State of Washington No. 87672-0 (October 3, 2013), invalidated the 2006 amendments to chapter 173-503 WAC, adopted by the department of ecology Order No. 05-13, WSR 06-11-070 (May 15, 2006, effective June 15, 2006). See WSR 13-21-044, filed 10/9/13.