Washington Administrative Code
Title 173 - Ecology, Department of (See also Titles 197, 317, 372, and 508)
Chapter 173-503 - Instream resources protection program - Lower and Upper Skagit water resources inventory area (WRIA 3 and 4)
Section 173-503-100 - Regulation review

(1) The legislature has long acknowledged that water supply and availability around the state are becoming increasingly limited, particularly during summer and fall months and dry years when demand is greatest. Growth and prosperity have significantly increased the competition for this limited resource (RCW 90.54.090(1)(a) ). This chapter provides limited exceptions for new uses in the Skagit River basin.

(2) However, there is a continuing need for ongoing and reliable sources for new water uses. The need dictates the continued development and use of alternative sources of water. Alternative sources of water of equal or better quality than the proposed source have the potential to be used, where appropriate to improve stream flows for fish, to offset impacts of withdrawals on stream flows and provide sources of water for future out-of-stream uses. Alternative sources include, but are not limited to:

Reuse of reclaimed water;

Artificial recharge and recovery;

Multipurpose water storage facilities;

Conservation and efficiency measures applied to existing uses and the transfer of saved water;

Acquisition of existing water rights; and

Establishment of a trust water rights program.