It is the policy of this state that a flow of water sufficient to support game fish and food fish populations be maintained at all times in the streams of this state.

The director of ecology shall give the director notice of each application for a permit to divert or store water. The director has thirty days after receiving the notice to state his or her objections to the application. The permit shall not be issued until the thirty-day period has elapsed.

The director of ecology may refuse to issue a permit if, in the opinion of the director of ecology, issuing the permit might result in lowering the flow of water in a stream below the flow necessary to adequately support food fish and game fish populations in the stream.

The provisions of this section shall in no way affect existing water rights.

Part headings not law—2005 c 146: See note following RCW 77.55.011.

Effective date—1993 sp.s. c 2 ss 1-6, 8-59, and 61-79: See RCW 43.300.900.