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Chapter 173-130A WAC

Last Update: 6/9/88

ODESSA GROUNDWATER SUBAREA MANAGEMENT POLICY

WAC Sections

HTMLPDF173-130A-010Authority.
HTMLPDF173-130A-020Background.
HTMLPDF173-130A-030Definitions.
HTMLPDF173-130A-040Purpose.
HTMLPDF173-130A-050Exemptions.
HTMLPDF173-130A-060Rate of decline in water level to be controlled.
HTMLPDF173-130A-070Maximum lowering of the water table.
HTMLPDF173-130A-080Regulation of withdrawal of groundwater.
HTMLPDF173-130A-090Notice of regulation.
HTMLPDF173-130A-100Applications for withdrawal of groundwater.
HTMLPDF173-130A-110Distance of wells from East Low Canal.
HTMLPDF173-130A-120Groundwater mound—Columbia Basin project interests.
HTMLPDF173-130A-130Irrigation season.
HTMLPDF173-130A-140Airlines.
HTMLPDF173-130A-150Water duty.
HTMLPDF173-130A-160Development schedule.
HTMLPDF173-130A-170Casing and sealing.
HTMLPDF173-130A-180Reworking wells.
HTMLPDF173-130A-190Bore hole information.
HTMLPDF173-130A-200Acreage expansion program.
HTMLPDF173-130A-210General implementation.
HTMLPDF173-130A-215Enforcement.
HTMLPDF173-130A-217Appeals.
HTMLPDF173-130A-220Regulation review.


PDF173-130A-010

Authority.

This regulation is promulgated by the department of ecology under authority and procedures provided in chapters 34.04, 43.21A. 90.03 and 90.44 RCW.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-010, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-020.]



PDF173-130A-020

Background.

The Odessa groundwater subarea was established and the boundaries set forth in chapter 173-128A WAC.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-020, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-010.]



PDF173-130A-030

Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall be used:
(1) "Water table" shall mean the surface formed by mapping the altitude at which water stands in wells.
(2) "Priority" shall mean the date of receipt by the department of ecology or its predecessor of an acceptable application to appropriate public groundwater.
(3) "Department" shall mean the department of ecology.
(4) "Bore hole information" shall include data required to determine the extent and nature of subsurface geologic and hydrologic properties. Examples of bore hole information includes data contained on a completed department water well report form, all or a portion of a suite of geophysical logs such as resistivity, flow, caliper, and television video scanning.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-030, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-030.]



PDF173-130A-040

Purpose.

The purpose of this regulation is to provide a procedure for managing groundwater within the Odessa groundwater subarea to insure the maintenance of a safe sustaining yield from the groundwater body within a reasonable and feasible pumping lift.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-040, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-040.]



PDF173-130A-050

Exemptions.

The following shall not be subject to this management regulation:
(1) Wells from which the withdrawal is less than 5,000 gallons per day;
(2) Wells drilled under prior authorization which were defined as "Zone C" wells in WAC 173-130-030(3), now repealed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-050, filed 8/4/82.]



PDF173-130A-060

Rate of decline in water level to be controlled.

The rate of decline in the water level will be limited to a total amount of thirty feet in three consecutive years. In the case of a new well, the base time shall commence in the spring following the first season of irrigation use.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-060, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-060.]



PDF173-130A-070

Maximum lowering of the water table.

These regulations will be used to prevent the spring static water table, as measured prior to commencement of pumping for irrigation, from lowering more than three hundred feet below the altitude of the static water level as it existed in the spring of 1967.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-070, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-070.]



PDF173-130A-080

Regulation of withdrawal of groundwater.

(1) Upon complaint from a water right holder that the water level in the associated well or wells is being drawn down at a rate in excess of thirty feet in three years as set forth in WAC 173-130A-060 as a primary result of pumping by subsequent appropriators, the department shall evaluate the complaint and take appropriate regulatory action, to the extent practicable, to protect the rights of the prior appropriator.
(2) Whenever the department has reason to believe that the provision of WAC 173-130A-070 is going to be violated, regulatory action to limit withdrawals in the affected area will be initiated according to the procedure outlined in WAC 173-130A-090. Such regulation shall conform to the priority of the pertinent, valid rights and shall prevail on an annual basis until the condition no longer exists, unless the aggregate withdrawal is decreased by mutual agreement of the affected water right holders pursuant to RCW 90.44.180.
(3) The department shall take regulatory action, to the extent necessary, to assure compliance with water right conditions.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-080, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-080.]



PDF173-130A-090

Notice of regulation.

(1) Notice of regulation shall be provided to each water right holder within the area identified pursuant to WAC 173-130A-080(2) by certified mail on or before May 1 of each year when regulation of withdrawals is contemplated for the next calendar year. Said notice shall also provide for a public meeting within thirty days to be held in the affected area to discuss proposed regulatory action.
(2) Within sixty days following this public meeting, departmental orders will be sent to those water right holders to be regulated.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-090, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-090.]



PDF173-130A-100

Applications for withdrawal of groundwater.

All applications for permits to appropriate groundwater from within the Odessa groundwater subarea shall be analyzed in order of priority to determine the calculated effect that the requested rate and volume of withdrawal will have on existing groundwater declines. No permit will be issued for withdrawals which calculations show will cause the conditions of WAC 173-130A-060 or 173-130A-070 to be exceeded at any location within the subarea.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-100, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-140.]



PDF173-130A-110

Distance of wells from East Low Canal.

No well may be drilled closer than one-quarter mile to the centerline of the East Low Canal.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-110, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-170.]



PDF173-130A-120

Groundwater mound—Columbia Basin project interests.

Irrigation of Columbia Basin project lands lying westerly of the East Low Canal and canal leakage have caused development of a groundwater mound lying generally under the canal. The retention of existing water levels under the canal is necessary to maintain the present water table gradient toward the Potholes Reservoir to allow the recapture and utilization of artificially stored groundwater (see order of the department of ecology, under Docket No. 74-772, dated the 8th day of January, 1975). All applications for permit within the following described area will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis consistent with this chapter. Additionally, the potential effects of the proposed appropriation on existing rights including protection of the groundwater mound will be determined. All new permits will be conditioned to assure retention of the existing water levels under the East Low Canal.
Twp N
Rge E
Section
17
30
15, 16, 23, 24 and all those portions of 9 through 11, 13 and 14 lying southerly of the East Low Canal.
 
31
3, 4, 9 through 11, 14 through 16, 19 through 23, and those portions of 5, 6, 8, and 17 lying easterly of the East Low Canal.
18
30
1, 12, and all those portions of 2, 11, 13 and 14 lying easterly of East Low Canal.
 
31
4 through 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27 through 29, 32 through 34, and all those portions of 17 through 20, 30 and 31 lying northerly and easterly of the East Low Canal.
19
29
1 through 3, 10 through 14, 24 through 26, and all those portions of 4, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 27, and 34 through 36 lying easterly and northerly of the East Low Canal.
 
30
19 through 23, 25 through 27, 29, 30, 36, and all those portions of 28, 31 through 35 lying northerly and easterly of the East Low Canal.
 
31
30 and 31
20
29
27, 35, and all those portions of 21, 28, 33 and 34 lying easterly of the East Low Canal.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-120, filed 8/4/82.]



PDF173-130A-130

Irrigation season.

The irrigation season for withdrawal of groundwater in the Odessa groundwater subarea shall be from February 1 to November 30, each year. However, the department recognizes that conditions will vary from year to year, making application of water to the land necessary during December and/or January in some years. Permission to withdraw groundwater during December and January may be granted by the department upon showing of a need by individual permit or certificate holders and if not inconsistent with the regulatory program of this chapter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-130, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-195.]



PDF173-130A-140

Airlines.

An airline and pressure gauge shall be installed and maintained in operating condition on all new or reworked wells and equipped with a standard tire valve, placed in an accessible location. The airline shall extend from land surface to the top of the pump bowls. The total length of the airline and any changes in length shall be reported to the department.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-140, filed 8/4/82.]



PDF173-130A-150

Water duty.

The duty of water issued in permits for agricultural irrigation shall be not more than 2.5 acre feet per acre per calendar year.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-150, filed 8/4/82.]



PDF173-130A-160

Development schedule.

All new permits issued will require beginning of construction of the authorized well(s) within two years after permit issuance. Beginning of construction means that the well drilling has been started and is being actively pursued toward completion. No extensions of time will be granted to this schedule. Violation of this requirement will result in cancellation of the related permits.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-160, filed 8/4/82.]



PDF173-130A-170

Casing and sealing.

In order to protect existing shallow domestic and stock water wells, and springs, casing and sealing requirements will be determined on a case-by-case basis and included as a provision on all new permits issued. New permits will also be conditioned to prohibit cascading water in wells in accordance with chapter 173-160 WAC (Minimum standards for construction and maintenance of water wells). Sealing of required casing shall consist of filling the annular space between casing and well bore with cement grout placed by pumping from the bottom of the casing to land surface. Alternative methods to provide the same protection afforded by casing and sealing may be submitted to the department for review and shall only be used if approved in writing by the department prior to well completion.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-170, filed 8/4/82.]



PDF173-130A-180

Reworking wells.

Any well which is reworked shall be constructed to comply with the casing and sealing provisions of WAC 173-130A-170. Reworking shall include, but not be limited to, reaming to enlarge well diameter or deepening.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-180, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-155.]



PDF173-130A-190

Bore hole information.

It shall be the responsibility of the owner of all new or reworked wells drilled in the Odessa groundwater subarea to provide the department of ecology with such logs as the department may reasonably require.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-190, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-160.]



PDF173-130A-200

Acreage expansion program.

(1) Water right certificate holders who wish to expand their authorized irrigated acreage while not increasing actual historic withdrawal rates in gallons per minute or acre feet per year, within the maximum limits of their water right, may submit a request in writing to the department at least four months prior to initiation of irrigation. Such request shall include documentation substantiating actual quantities applied to a beneficial use within authorized acreage for a minimum of the three previous consecutive irrigation seasons. This documentation shall consist of accurate flow meter readings, electrical consumption which has been converted to actual acre footage withdrawn, or any other data acceptable to the department.
(2) The acreage expansion, if authorized, will allow the certificate holder to apply the average of the quantity of water beneficially used during the past three consecutive years to more land.
(3) Where the acreage expansion program is continuous from year to year, the initial documentation of beneficial use of water shall apply to each subsequent year.
(4) New wells will not be permitted to be drilled as part of this program. Every well authorized for use under this program must be equipped with an accurately operating flow meter before acreage expansion can be implemented.
(5) By December 31 of each year, the water user shall submit in writing to the department a statement of the total water used, in acre feet, under the acreage expansion program for the completed irrigation season.
(6) The acreage expansion program will be administered as a temporary change through an annual letter of authorization. No permanent amendment or change in any water right certificate shall be issued as part of this program.
The penalty for noncompliance with the provisions of this section shall include, but not be limited to, termination from the acreage expansion program for one calendar year.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-200, filed 8/4/82.]



PDF173-130A-210

General implementation.

The department recognizes the uncertainties associated with groundwater occurrence and water well construction, both being dependent in large part on the geologic and hydrologic characteristics of the aquifer materials underlying a specific proposed well site. Therefore, the department shall endeavor to implement this chapter in a reasonable and practical manner consistent with its purpose.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-210, filed 8/4/82.]



PDF173-130A-215

Enforcement.

In enforcement of this chapter, the department of ecology may impose such sanctions as are appropriate under authorities vested in it, including but not limited to the issuance of regulatory orders under RCW 43.27A.190 and civil penalties under RCW 90.03.600.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21A, 43.27A, 90.03 and 90.44 RCW. WSR 88-13-037 (Order 88-11), § 173-130A-215, filed 6/9/88.]



PDF173-130A-217

Appeals.

All final written decisions of the department of ecology pertaining to permits, regulatory orders, and related decisions made pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to review by the pollution control hearings board in accordance with chapter 43.21B RCW.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21A, 43.27A, 90.03 and 90.44 RCW. WSR 88-13-037 (Order 88-11), § 173-130A-217, filed 6/9/88.]



PDF173-130A-220

Regulation review.

The department of ecology shall initiate a review of the rules established in this chapter whenever new information, changing conditions, or statutory modifications make it necessary to consider revisions.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21A, 43.27A, 90.03 and 90.44 RCW. WSR 88-13-037 (Order 88-11), § 173-130A-220, filed 6/9/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.060, 43.21A.080, 43.27A.090, 90.44.130 and 90.54.040(2). WSR 82-16-103 (Order DE 82-27), § 173-130A-220, filed 8/4/82. Formerly WAC 173-130-200.]