To authorize and direct the Department of Ecology to approve changes in the point of diversion under a water right from any point within a pool, or hydraulically connected groundwater to any other point within the same pool, or hydraulically connected groundwater. The bill would also adopt a conclusive presumption that the changes do not impair any other water right and are in the public interest. See companion SB 5519.   Official Text and Analysis.

To amend RCW 90.03.397 exclusively. This bill does not require there to be a conclusive presumption by the DOE that a change in the point of diversion does not impair any other water right, within or without the pool, and is in the public interest. This bill eliminates changes in the point of diversion from a surface water diversion to another surface or groundwater diversion, and a groundwater diversion to another groundwater or surface water diversion. This bill eliminates the definition of a "water right," and changes the definition of "pool" and "mainstem".