The purposes of this chapter are to retain perennial rivers, streams, and lakes in the Wenatchee River basin with instream flows and levels necessary to protect water quality, wildlife, fish, and other environmental values, as well as aesthetics, recreation, navigation; and to meet certain future out-of-stream water needs identified in the Wenatchee watershed management plan.

(1) The Wenatchee watershed management plan approved by the Wenatchee planning unit and the Chelan County commission under RCW 90.82.130 is the basis for amendments to the June 3, 1983 rule. The plan recommendations were approved on April 26, 2006, by the Wenatchee watershed planning unit, a group composed of a broad base of water use interests, and on June 26, 2006, by the Chelan County commission. The plan recommendations are therefore considered an expression of the public interest.

(2) This chapter sets forth the department's policies to guide the protection, use and management of Wenatchee River basin surface water and interrelated groundwater resources. It protects existing water rights, establishes instream flows, and sets forth a program for the administration of future water allocation and use.