Water Rights Support
In Washington, water rights are granted by the Department of Ecology via a specific application process. Any changes or transfers of water rights must also be processed and approved by Ecology. Water right processing has become much more complicated and less certain since the 1990s, and Ecology's policies concerning water rights change on a regular basis. Robinson Noble knows the latest policies and how those policies affect processing. This knowledge allows us to specialize in assisting clients negotiate water right processing regardless of the current regulatory environment.
Our water rights services include: assisting with initial applications; moving applications to permit status; working with the cost-reimbursement process; providing strategies for transfers; negotiating, developing, and implementing mitigation plans; and providing technical support for appeals.
In 2010, the Washington State Legislature directed Ecology to implement a Certified Water Rights Examiner program. This program will allow water users to move water rights from the permit stage to the certified stage more quickly. Ecology is currently engaging in a rule-making process to create the program. When the program officially begins, Robinson Noble will be among the first to offer Certified Water Rights Examiner services. Please contact us for an update on the current status of the program.
More detailed information about water rights is available from the Department of Ecology water resources program.
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