(1) On a pilot project basis, the department may enter into a watershed agreement with one or more municipal water suppliers in water resource inventory area number one to meet the objectives established in a water resource management program approved or being developed under chapter
90.82 RCW with the consent of the initiating governments of the water resource inventory area. The term of an agreement may not exceed ten years, but the agreement may be renewed or amended upon agreement of the parties.
(2) A watershed agreement must be consistent with:
(a) Growth management plans developed under chapter
36.70A RCW where these plans are adopted and in effect;
(b) Water supply plans and small water system management programs approved under chapter
43.20 or
70A.100 RCW;
(c) Coordinated water supply plans approved under chapter
70A.100 RCW; and
(d) Water use efficiency and conservation requirements and standards established by the state department of health or such requirements and standards as are provided in an approved watershed plan, whichever are the more stringent.
(3) A watershed agreement must:
(a) Require the public water system operated by the participating municipal water supplier to meet obligations under the watershed plan;
(b) Establish performance measures and timelines for measures to be completed;
(c) Provide for monitoring of streamflows and metering of water use as needed to ensure that the terms of the agreement are met; and
(d) Require annual reports from the water users regarding performance under the agreement.
(4) As needed to implement watershed agreement activities, the department may provide or receive funding, or both, under its existing authorities.
(5) The department must provide opportunity for public review of a proposed agreement before it is executed. The department must make proposed and executed watershed agreements and annual reports available on the department's internet website.
(6) The department must consult with affected local governments and the state departments of health and fish and wildlife before executing an agreement.
(7) Before executing a watershed agreement, the department must conduct a government-to-government consultation with affected tribal governments. The municipal water suppliers operating the public water systems that are proposing to enter into the agreements must be invited to participate in the consultations. During these consultations, the department and the municipal water suppliers shall explore the potential interest of the tribal governments or governments in participating in the agreement.
(8) Any person aggrieved by the department's failure to satisfy the requirements in subsection (3) of this section as embodied in the department's decision to enter into a watershed agreement under this section may, within thirty days of the execution of such an agreement, appeal the department's decision to the pollution control hearings board under chapter
43.21B RCW.
(9) Any projects implemented by a municipal water system under the terms of an agreement reached under this section may be continued and maintained by the municipal water system after the agreement expires or is terminated as long as the conditions of the agreement under which they were implemented continue to be met.
(10) Before December 31, 2003, and December 31, 2004, the department must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature the results of the pilot project provided for in this section. Based on the experience of the pilot project, the department must offer any suggested changes in law that would improve, facilitate, and maximize the implementation of watershed plans adopted under this chapter.
