(1) Ecology finds there to be certain locations where water is potentially available on a year-round basis for future groundwater withdrawals. Ecology further finds that withdrawals in these areas are unlikely to affect surface waters closed in WAC 173-528-070, Table III or instream flow values protected under RCW 90.54.020(3). Such regional supply areas are recognized in the watershed plan and supported by the public interest as preferred locations for developing future water supply. Groundwater withdrawals (including permit-exempt withdrawals) may be commenced in the designated regional supply areas to the extent such withdrawals are consistent with chapters 90.03 and 90.44 RCW, and any other applicable requirements of law.

(2) Based on local hydrology, ecology finds that groundwater withdrawals made in areas designated below meet the conditions for regional supply areas in subsection (1) of this section and are so designated:

(a) The Vancouver Lake Lowlands Area, defined as all lands located west of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad right of way that are within Water Resource Inventory Area 28; and

(b) The Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge Area, defined as all lands located east of 15th Street in the city of Washougal, south of Washington State Highway 14, and west of Lawton Creek.

(3) Ecology, in consultation with the department of fish and wildlife, may by order designate other regional supply areas that meet the criteria in subsection (1) of this section.

(4) In order to protect instream values of surface waters in regional supply areas, ecology reserves the right to deny any withdrawals whereby drawdown effects from pumping would create a significant impact to local surface waters. For the purposes of this section, significant impact includes but is not limited to a noticeable reduction in lake level or flow in local streams.