Washington Administrative Code

The department shall designate groundwater management areas by order of the department in accordance with the general schedule. The department shall hold a public hearing within the county or counties containing the probable groundwater management area prior to such designation. …

The lead agency shall be responsible for coordinating and undertaking the activities necessary for development of the groundwater management program. These activities shall include collecting data and conducting studies related to hydrogeology, water quality, water use, land use,…

(1) The groundwater advisory committee shall be responsible for overseeing the development of the groundwater management program; reviewing the work plan, schedule and budget for the development of the program; assuring that the program is technically and functionally sound; veri…

The program for each groundwater management area will be tailored to the specific conditions of the area. The following guidelines on program content are intended to serve as a general framework for the program, to be adapted to the particular needs of each area. Each program sha…

The proposed groundwater management program shall be subject to review pursuant to the State Environmental Policy Act, chapter 43.21C RCW, as required under the applicable implementing regulations.[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.44.400. WSR 86-02-004 (Order DE 85-24), § 173-100-110,…

(1) Upon completion of the groundwater area management program, the department shall hold a public hearing within the designated groundwater management area for the purpose of taking public testimony on the proposed program. Local governments are encouraged to hold joint hearings…

The procedures provided in RCW 90.44.130 may be utilized by the department to designate groundwater areas, subareas, or zones for the purposes described therein either in conjunction with the procedures of this chapter or independently thereof.[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.44.400.…

In order to fully implement this chapter, the department may negotiate and enter into cooperative agreements with Indian tribal governments, adjacent states and Canadian governmental agencies when a groundwater management area is contiguous with or affects lands under their juris…

All final written decisions of the department pertaining to designation of groundwater management areas, certification of groundwater management programs, permits, regulatory orders, and related decisions pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to review by the pollution contro…

The department of ecology shall initiate a review of the rules established in this chapter whenever new information, changing conditions, or statutory modifications make it necessary to consider revisions.[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.27A and 90.44 RCW. WSR 88-13-037 (Order 8…

(1) On March 1, 1969, the department of water resources promulgated WAC 508-14-010 to curtail further groundwater development in a defined area of the Columbia Basin, referred to as the "Quincy Basin," pending the outcome of detailed groundwater investigations to determine if fur…

The purpose of this regulation is to establish areal boundaries and depth zones for the Quincy groundwater subarea as the initial step toward development of a proper groundwater management program for this part of the Columbia Basin.[Order 72-24, § 173-124-020, filed 1/15/73.]

This regulation is promulgated by the department of ecology under authority and procedures provided in chapters 43.21A, 90.03, and 90.44 RCW and after giving notice as provided in chapter 34.04 RCW.[Order 72-24, § 173-124-030, filed 1/15/73.]

"Quincy groundwater subarea" shall mean those lands lying within the Columbia Basin described as follows:Township (North)Range (East)Sections17231 thru 4, 11 and 1217241 thru 1617251 thru 18 and 2417261 thru 2417271 thru 2417281 thru 2017291 thru 12 and 14 thru 181730*1 thru 8, 1…

(1) "Quincy unconsolidated zone" shall mean those rock units in the Quincy groundwater subarea lying between ground surface and the top of the uppermost basalt flow.(2) "Quincy basalt zone" shall mean those rock units in the Quincy groundwater subarea consisting of basalt flows o…

"Quincy groundwater subarea" shall include those lands that lie within the heavy outline shown on the following map:quincy groundwater subarea [Order 72-24, § 173-124-060, filed 1/15/73.]

The Quincy unconsolidated zone and the Quincy basalt zone, defined at WAC 173-124-050, are separate and distinct depth zones, as that term is used in chapter 90.44 RCW. The Quincy unconsolidated zone and the Quincy basalt zone are different than the Quincy shallow management unit…

The department of ecology shall initiate a review of the rules established in this chapter whenever new information, changing conditions, or statutory modifications make it necessary to consider revisions.[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21A, 43.27A, 90.03 and 90.44 RCW. WSR 88-…

This regulation is promulgated by the department of ecology under authority and procedures provided in chapters 34.04, 43.21A, 90.03, and 90.44 RCW.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-14-041 (Order DE 82-23), § 173-128A…

(1) Since 1967, the segment of the Columbia basin groundwater system centered around the community of Odessa has experienced a steady decline in groundwater levels.(2) Spurred by local concern and foreseeable management problems, the department of water resources (now department …

The purpose of this regulation is to expand the boundaries of the Odessa groundwater subarea as originally set forth in chapter 173-128 WAC.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-14-041 (Order DE 82-23), § 173-128A-030, fi…

"Odessa groundwater subarea" shall mean those lands lying within the Columbia Basin described as follows:Township(North)Range(East)Sections13311 thru 1213321 thru 121431*1 thru 6, 8 thru 17, 19 thru 36, and that part of 7 and 18 lying to the left of the center line of the East Lo…

"Odessa groundwater subarea" shall include those lands that lie within the heavy outline shown on the following map:odessa groundwater subarea[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-14-041 (Order DE 82-23), § 173-128A-050, …

The department of ecology shall initiate a review of the rules established in this chapter whenever new information, changing conditions, or statutory modifications make it necessary to consider revisions.[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21A, 43.27A, 90.03 and 90.44 RCW. WSR 88-…

This regulation is promulgated by the department of ecology under authority and procedures provided in chapters 34.04, 43.21A. 90.03 and 90.44 RCW.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-…

The Odessa groundwater subarea was established and the boundaries set forth in chapter 173-128A WAC.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-020, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-010.]

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall be used:(1) "Water table" shall mean the surface formed by mapping the altitude at which water stands in wells.(2) "Priority" shall mean the date of receipt by the department of ecology or its predecessor of an acc…

The purpose of this regulation is to provide a procedure for managing groundwater within the Odessa groundwater subarea to insure the maintenance of a safe sustaining yield from the groundwater body within a reasonable and feasible pumping lift.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.06…

The following shall not be subject to this management regulation:(1) Wells from which the withdrawal is less than 5,000 gallons per day;(2) Wells drilled under prior authorization which were defined as "Zone C" wells in WAC 173-130-030(3), now repealed.[Statutory Authority: RCW 4…

The rate of decline in the water level will be limited to a total amount of thirty feet in three consecutive years. In the case of a new well, the base time shall commence in the spring following the first season of irrigation use.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080,…

These regulations will be used to prevent the spring static water table, as measured prior to commencement of pumping for irrigation, from lowering more than three hundred feet below the altitude of the static water level as it existed in the spring of 1967.[Statutory Authority: …

(1) Upon complaint from a water right holder that the water level in the associated well or wells is being drawn down at a rate in excess of thirty feet in three years as set forth in WAC 173-130A-060 as a primary result of pumping by subsequent appropriators, the department shal…

(1) Notice of regulation shall be provided to each water right holder within the area identified pursuant to WAC 173-130A-080(2) by certified mail on or before May 1 of each year when regulation of withdrawals is contemplated for the next calendar year. Said notice shall also pro…

All applications for permits to appropriate groundwater from within the Odessa groundwater subarea shall be analyzed in order of priority to determine the calculated effect that the requested rate and volume of withdrawal will have on existing groundwater declines. No permit will…

No well may be drilled closer than one-quarter mile to the centerline of the East Low Canal.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-110, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-170.]

Irrigation of Columbia Basin project lands lying westerly of the East Low Canal and canal leakage have caused development of a groundwater mound lying generally under the canal. The retention of existing water levels under the canal is necessary to maintain the present water tabl…

The irrigation season for withdrawal of groundwater in the Odessa groundwater subarea shall be from February 1 to November 30, each year. However, the department recognizes that conditions will vary from year to year, making application of water to the land necessary during Decem…

An airline and pressure gauge shall be installed and maintained in operating condition on all new or reworked wells and equipped with a standard tire valve, placed in an accessible location. The airline shall extend from land surface to the top of the pump bowls. The total length…

The duty of water issued in permits for agricultural irrigation shall be not more than 2.5 acre feet per acre per calendar year.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-150, filed 8/4/82.]

All new permits issued will require beginning of construction of the authorized well(s) within two years after permit issuance. Beginning of construction means that the well drilling has been started and is being actively pursued toward completion. No extensions of time will be g…

In order to protect existing shallow domestic and stock water wells, and springs, casing and sealing requirements will be determined on a case-by-case basis and included as a provision on all new permits issued. New permits will also be conditioned to prohibit cascading water in …

Any well which is reworked shall be constructed to comply with the casing and sealing provisions of WAC 173-130A-170. Reworking shall include, but not be limited to, reaming to enlarge well diameter or deepening.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.…

It shall be the responsibility of the owner of all new or reworked wells drilled in the Odessa groundwater subarea to provide the department of ecology with such logs as the department may reasonably require.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 …

(1) Water right certificate holders who wish to expand their authorized irrigated acreage while not increasing actual historic withdrawal rates in gallons per minute or acre feet per year, within the maximum limits of their water right, may submit a request in writing to the depa…

The department recognizes the uncertainties associated with groundwater occurrence and water well construction, both being dependent in large part on the geologic and hydrologic characteristics of the aquifer materials underlying a specific proposed well site. Therefore, the depa…

In enforcement of this chapter, the department of ecology may impose such sanctions as are appropriate under authorities vested in it, including but not limited to the issuance of regulatory orders under RCW 43.27A.190 and civil penalties under RCW 90.03.600.[Statutory Authority:…

All final written decisions of the department of ecology pertaining to permits, regulatory orders, and related decisions made pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to review by the pollution control hearings board in accordance with chapter 43.21B RCW.[Statutory Authority: Ch…

The department of ecology shall initiate a review of the rules established in this chapter whenever new information, changing conditions, or statutory modifications make it necessary to consider revisions.[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21A, 43.27A, 90.03 and 90.44 RCW. WSR 88-…

(1) Through well data collected since 1958 and refraction seismic surveys conducted in 1970 and 1971, the department of ecology has identified a semiclosed groundwater basin in the area of Duck Lake in Okanogan County, Washington.(2) The principal aquifer in this area consists of…

The purpose of this regulation is to establish areal boundaries for the Duck Lake groundwater subarea as the initial step toward development of an appropriate groundwater management program for this area.[Order DE 74-24, § 173-132-020, filed 10/18/74.]