Publication Summary

This guidance document contains out of date information. Several bills amending RCW 90.38 and RCW 90.42 have been enacted since this document was written.

The trust water rights guidelines document summarizes the background and purposes of the program, describes technical and administrative concepts for evaluation of trust water rights proposals, and outlines the process and criteria for implementation. The trust water rights program codified at Chapter 90.42 RCW applies to ten water resource inventory areas (WRIAs) of the state. Two areas have been designated for implementation: the two regional pilot planning areas, the Methow and Dungeness-Quilcene basins.

Up to eight additional areas containing critical water supply problems, four on each side of the Cascade Mountains, may be identified for program implementation. The trust water rights concept will be tested and more information gathered for refinement of the guidelines and the legislation. An earlier trust rights statute, Chapter 90.38 RCW, applies only to the Yakima basin and is not directly administered through these trust water rights guidelines.