SB 6316: Water availability evidence

Summary

• Provides that no building permit may be issued that will operate to impair senior water rights and would not otherwise harm fish or other aquatic life or their habitat unless mitigated.
• Allows a building permit applicant using a permit-exempt groundwater withdrawal to receive a building permit if mitigation requirements are met and the quantity of domestic water use is limited to up to 350 gallons per day.
• Requires that withdrawals from all permit exempt wells be metered and reported to the county and the Department of Ecology (Ecology).
• Requires that, under the Growth Management Act (GMA), a county or city must require physical and legal water availability be determined and be consistent with best available science and applicable laws and rules.
• Establishes that a mitigation certificate to withdraw water may only be issued if the water withdrawal would not cause an impairment to senior water rights and would not harm fish or other aquatic life or their habitat unless mitigated.

From the Senate Bill Report (Orig.) (SB 6316), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗