Ecology seeks comments on water right examiner proposal

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has opened a public comment period and scheduled public hearings on a proposed water right examiners program.

The proposed rule would create a program that could streamline service for water right permit holders by allowing them to use water right examiners certified by Ecology.

The examiners, paid for by water right applicants, would verify that water use projects have been completed and that the projects qualify for final water right certificates.

The program would be modeled after similar programs in Oregon and Idaho. Professional engineers and land surveyors, registered hydrogeologists and water conservancy board members would be among those considered initially eligible to become examiners.

Four public hearings are scheduled in July, all beginning at 6 p.m.

Those nearest to this region are:

• Yakima, Wednesday, July 18 - Central Regional Office, 15 W. Yakima Ave., Ste 200, Yakima.
• Spokane, Thursday, July 19 - Eastern Regional Office, N. 4601, Monroe St., Spokane.

The public comment period for the proposed certified water right examiner rule ends at 5 p.m. Friday July 27.

Go to www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/cwre/1103.html for instructions on how to comment on Ecology's proposed rule, as well as the small business economic impact statement and the preliminary cost-benefit

analysis.

Ecology expects adoption of the rule no earlier than September 19.