HB 2740: Water/permit ex. & instream

Summary

• Establishes that evidence of potable water for a building permit must meet certain requirements based on the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) in which the building permit is sought.
• Provides that an applicant's compliance with the permit-exempt groundwater statute and with applicable instream flow rules is sufficient in determining whether appropriate provisions for water supply for a subdivision have been made.
• Establishes that a county or city may rely on or refer to applicable minimum instream flow rules adopted by the Department of Ecology (Ecology) for purposes of complying with the Growth Management Act's requirement relating to the protection of water resources.
• Requires that Ecology establish watershed restoration and enhancement committees and adopt watershed restoration and enhancement plans in certain WRIAs.
• Authorizes the issuance of $200 million in bonds to fund watershed restoration and enhancement projects.

From the House Bill Analysis 2018 (HB 2740), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗