The Department of Ecology Water Resources Program is undertaking a review and revision of the agency’s policy and interpretive statement on the extension of time on water right permits.

A water right holder may request an extension of time on the initial development phase on a water right permit. Policy 1050 governs how Ecology evaluates such a request. Extensions of time on water rights are reviewed to ensure that “good cause and due diligence” have been shown in developing a water right, and to discourage attempts to speculate future water use (POL 1050).

For application of water to beneficial use for municipal water supply purposes, Ecology must also take into consideration the term and amount of financing required to complete the project, delays that may result from planned and existing conservation and water use efficiency measures implemented by the public water system, and the supply needs of the public water system's service area (RCW 90.03.320).

The purpose of the policy revision is to:

• Clarify the criteria Ecology will rely upon to evaluate requests for permit extensions.
• Bring the policy in alignment with current case law.
• Promote consistency across regions.

Proposed new and revised text is written in blue, while text from the original policy is in black. Ecology recently presented the draft policy to the Washington Water Utility Council (WWUC). Ecology’s presentation is a good overview and includes desired changes by WWUC.

Ecology seeks your feedback on the proposed changes. Please send written comments to Carrie Sessions before midnight on Sunday, April 18. If you have questions, Carrie can be reached via email or at 360.742 6582. Please include AWC’s Shannon McClelland when you submit comments to Ecology.