Watershed Management Plan - Mason County

Appendix
B Key Issues and Options – Water Quantity
2005). Some sustainable forestry advocates do not think the Sustainable
Forest Initiative provides enough protection, however; such advocates
often prefer the practices and certification advanced by the Forest
Stewardship Council, an international non-profit membership organization.
The WRIA 16 Planning Unit could work with the U.S. Forest Service and
local timber companies to define sustainable forestry in WRIA 16, assess
how to minimize forestry impacts on WRIA 16’s water resources, and
develop a plan for each sub-basin.
Option 18.
Request that the Department of Ecology Appoint
a Water Master for WRIA 16
A water master is a person appointed by the Department of Ecology to
oversee water rights and water use in a watershed. The primary
responsibilities of a water master include dividing, regulating, and
controlling water use in their specified district (RCW 90.03.070). RCW
90.03.060 authorizes the Department of Ecology to assign water masters to
WRIAs that request them in their adopted watershed plans. The Planning
Unit could therefore request that a water master be assigned to WRIA 16 to
oversee water right rules and requirements within the watershed and to
ensure that water right data are comprehensive and up-to-date.
Option 19.
Increase enforcement against illegal water use
and diversions
According to Washington State law (RCW 90), unauthorized use or waste
of water is a misdemeanor. Furthermore, the law provides that the
Department of Ecology can assess fines of $100 to $5,000 per day for each
violation. According to the law (RCW 90.03.065), Ecology is required to
educate the general public about water law and compliance. If the
department notices a violation, it attempts to achieve voluntary compliance
by providing information and technical assistance. If the violator fails to
comply, Ecology may issue a notice of violation and levy fines. However,
the code also states the Ecology can take immediate action if the violator is
causing harm. The Planning Unit could request that the Department of
Ecology increase its efforts to identify illegal water use and diversions and
pursue compliance through voluntary measures and, if necessary,
enforcement.
Option 20.
Promote greywater segregation and use in
accordance with Department of Health standards
One means of conserving water in the home is to reuse household water.
By diverting water from dishwashing, clothes washing, and the bath and
shower (collectively, these types of water are called greywater) to other uses,
some fraction of a household’s clean, potable water use can be avoided. In
most cases, efficiency improvements will provide greater and more costeffective
water savings (Seldon Hall, Department of Health, comments
page 104 Final Plan for County Adoption – May 11, 2006