From
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/rules/hillis.html
Hillis Rule Amendment, Chapter 173-152 WAC - Water Rights
The
Department of Ecology is proposing to amend Chapter 173-152 WAC, Water Rights, otherwise
known as the “Hillis Rule.” This rule was adopted in 1998 in
response to the Washington State Supreme Court decision in Hillis v Dept. of Ecology, 131 Wn.2d
373, 932 P.2d 139. The rule established the framework under
which the department can provide for the organization of its work, prioritize
basins to be assessed, conduct basin assessments, prioritize investigations of
water right applications by geographic areas, and establish criteria for
priority processing of applications for new water rights and applications for
change or transfer of existing water rights.
Since
1998, new legislation and water issues have created new possibilities for water
management. Until recently, the Water Resources Program was able to
adjust within the allowances provided in the current Hillis Rule.
However, the Program found that with the passage of Chapter 90.90 RCW, Columbia River Basin Water Supply,
the Hillis Rule hindered the Program’s ability to achieve the intent of
the new statute. Amending the rule is the best alternative to managing
the workload.
The
intent of the rule amendment is to better define Water Resources Program work
organization and to bring the existing rule into compliance with statutory
changes over the past eleven-plus years yet, continue to maintain agency
compliance with the Washington State Supreme Court decision.
Open House for Amendment to the Hillis Rule
Open
house sessions are scheduled to present the amendment to the Hillis Rule to the
public before the rule amendment is filed with the Office of the Code
Reviser. Copies of the proposed changes will be made available at the
open house sessions and elements of the amendment will be presented with an
opportunity for citizens to discuss them and provide feedback.
Additionally, the agency’s goal is to educate the public on water rights
and why the rule needs to be amended.
After
the rule is filed, public hearings will be held in the same locations as the
open house sessions for continuity of communication efforts on this
amendment. Ecology plans to involve local interest groups with one-on-one
meetings and use paid advertisements to notify the public. Ecology will
use all these public activities to clearly explain the updated rule and amended
sections to interested parties.
Upcoming Open Houses
|
Tuesday,
October 27, 2009 - Starting at 6:30 pm |
Wednesday,
October 28 6:30 pm |
|
Tuesday,
November 3, 2009 - Starting at 6:30 pm |
Wednesday,
November 4, 2009 - Starting at 6:30 pm |
Contact
Janet Rajala
Dept. of Ecology
4601 N. Monroe Street
Spokane WA 99205
Phone: (509) 329-3421
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Fax: (509) 329-3529