Section 173-100-120. Hearings and implementation.

(1) Upon completion of the groundwater area management program, the department shall hold a public hearing within the designated groundwater management area for the purpose of taking public testimony on the proposed program. Local governments are encouraged to hold joint hearings with the department to hear testimony on the proposed management program. Following the public hearing, the department and each affected local government shall prepare findings on the groundwater management program within ninety days. This period may be extended by the department for an additional ninety days. The findings shall evaluate the program's technical soundness, economic feasibility, and consistency with the intent of this chapter and other federal, state and local laws. The findings shall identify any revisions necessary before the program can be certified and shall contain a statement of the agency's concurrence, indicating its intent to adopt implementing policies, ordinances and programs if required, or a statement of nonconcurrence with the program if such be the case.

(2) The lead agency will consolidate the findings and present them to the advisory committee. Statements of nonconcurrence shall be resolved by the committee and the program revised if necessary.

(3) The program shall then be submitted by the groundwater advisory committee to the department which shall certify that the program is consistent with the intent of this chapter.

(4) Following such certification, state agencies and affected local governments shall adopt or amend regulations, ordinances, and/or programs for implementing those provisions of the groundwater management program which are within their respective jurisdictional authorities.

(5) The department, the department of social and health services and affected local governments shall be guided by the adopted program when reviewing and considering approval of all studies, plans and facilities that may utilize or impact the implementation of the groundwater management program.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 90.44.400. WSR 86-02-004 (Order DE 85-24), § 173-100-120, filed 12/20/85.]

RCW 90.44.400. WSR 86-02-004 (Order DE 85-24), § 173-100-120, filed 12/20/85.