Nothing in this chapter shall affect any existing water rights, riparian, appropriative, or otherwise; nor shall it affect existing rights relating to the operation of any hydroelectric or water storage reservoir or related facility; nor shall it affect any exploratory work, construction or operation of a thermal power plant by an electric utility in accordance with the provisions of chapter 80.50 RCW. Nothing in this chapter shall enlarge or reduce the department of ecology's authority to regulate the surface use of waters of this state or structures on the underlying beds, tidelands or shorelands.
RCW 90.54.900
Certain rights, authority, not to be affected by chapter.
Known as the Water Resources Act
The act spans §§ 90–90 (26 sections).
Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case PUBLIC UTILITY DIST. v. State, Dept. of Ecology (2002)
Most recently applied in PUBLIC UTILITY DIST. v. State, Dept. of Ecology (July 2002)
1971 ex.s. c 225 s 9.
Official source: Washington State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Washington statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.