How might this rule effect future growth in the region?
When stream flows are set in rule, the effective date (also called a "priority date") is thirty days after the date of rule adoption. An instream flow is, in essence, a water right for fish and other instream resources. While an instream flow does not affect existing water rights, water rights issued after the rule adoption are junior to the instream flow, and can only be exercised when the instream flow is being met (Dept. of Ecology website www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/instream-flows).
How do we manage water for future growth and the needs of fish?
The following is a list of potential options for managing future water supply that appeared in an article by Tom Anderson in the Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader on April 11, 2007 entitled “How do we manage water for future growth?”
Whatever actions we take to meet our future water needs while not jeopardizing the integrity of the ecosystem upon which we all depend, the process will take participation from all users and all managers. Below are some possible actions that warrant discussion among all user groups as to their feasibility and appropriateness for the Quilcene-Snow (WRIA 17) watershed.
-- Surface Storage - Building additional reservoir capacity to store winter high streamflows for use later in the year.
-- Aquifer Storage and Recovery - Storing water in the ground for use later. The water could come from winter high streamflows or from treated wastewater.
-- Reusing/Recycling Water - Treating and redistributing water that has previously been used, such as the effluent from sewage treatment plants or the paper mill.
-- Desalination of Salt Water - Converting salt water into drinking water.
-- Conservation and Efficiency - Looking at ways to use less water and
how to make the most of what we do use.
-- Sharing or Pooling of Water Rights - Reallocating existing water rights in order to leave more water in the stream.
-- Trust Water Program - Purchasing or leasing valid water rights.
-- Water Right Exchange - Selling and purchasing water rights in a
market-based system.
-- Closure or Restrictions on Access to Groundwater - Not permitting
future withdrawals, or limiting the amount of withdrawals by placing a
cap on future allocations.
I want to farm, how do I get a water right?
The traditional answer to this question would have been to submit an application for a new water right. For the past 20 years or so, that response has become less and less viable. Water availability across the state continues to become more limited. New water rights are usually not readily available.
More and more emphasis is being placed on developing new approaches to water availability. Some examples include:
- building market based process or "water banks" for willing buyers and sellers of water rights;
- developing storage to provide water during the summer and fall;
- conserving water so more uses or users can be accommodated;
- creating local entities who share water.
Check with your local Ecology office to explore opportunities for new water rights or the status of other availability approaches.
-Joe Stohr, Water Resources Program Manager, Washington State Department of Ecology
How do I acquire a water right?
New water rights are issued on a limited basis across the state often due to the increased lack of water availability. Check with your regional Ecology Office for details.
There are several options for acquiring a water right. Water rights can be purchased or leased from other water right holders. Use of those new rights would have to meet legal requirements and be approved by Ecology.
There are also ways to involve a private contractor to process traditional water right applications. Again, check with the regional Ecology Office for details.
-Joe Stohr, Water Resources Program Manager, Washington State Department of Ecology
Will completion of the instream flow rule make it more difficult to get a water right in the future?
New water rights have been issued on a limited basis in the Quilcene-Snow Watershed for a number of decades. The instream flow rule will probably not significantly increase or decrease the number of new permits issued but may serve to establish clearer expectations about where and when and how new water rights might be available. For example, the rule will include determinations as to water availability in various parts of the watershed. The rule may describe details as to how water rights might be conditioned related to availability or how the water might be managed. It is important for the public to work closely with Ecology as the rule is developed so that it is the result of our "best thinking."
-Joe Stohr, Water Resources Program Manager, Washington State Department of Ecology
Is rainwater use restricted? Do I need a permit to use rainwater?
Please see Ecology's new rain catchment fact sheet at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/nwro/sjc_rwc.html.
Why isn’t Ecology promoting more conservation as a way to meet our area’s future water needs?
Ecology actively supports water conservation through a variety of venues and funding programs. These include conservation investments, irrigation efficiency programs, water conveyance improvements, instream flow rules, water conservation rulemaking and watershed planning. If you are interested in learning more about these efforts, please contact Ecology.
-Joe Stohr, Water Resources Program Manager, Washington State Department of Ecology
What is the legislature doing to clarify water rights statewide?
Changes to water management policy is usually an active and controversial part of each legislative session. Over the past ten years, new water policy ideas have been included in as many as 50 or 60 statute proposals each year. A lot of recent attention has been on ideas to improve stream flows, bringing certainty to municipal water suppliers, improvements to water relinquishment provisions and support for watershed planning. Clarifying water right status through improved adjudication processes has also received increased attention.
A major policy bill intended to improve water management along the Columbia River passed during the 2006 session and another significant bill related to improving the quality of the waters entering Puget Sound passed during the 2007 session. Both of these bills are actively being implemented.
-Joe Stohr, Water Resources Program Manager, Washington State Department of Ecology