Section 173-528-040. Compliance and enforcement.

(1) Ecology shall prepare and make available to the public, technical and educational information regarding the scope and requirements of this chapter. This is intended to assist the public in complying with the requirements of their water rights and applicable water laws and rules.

(2) When ecology determines that a violation of this chapter has occurred, it shall:

(a) First attempt to achieve voluntary compliance, except in appropriate cases involving potential harm to other water rights or the environment. An approach to achieving voluntary compliance is to offer information and technical assistance to a violator. The information or technical assistance identifies, in writing, one or more means to accomplish the person's purposes within the framework of the law.

(b) If education and technical assistance do not achieve compliance, ecology has the authority to issue a notice of violation, a formal administrative order under RCW 43.27A.190, assess penalties under RCW 43.83B.336 and 90.03.600, or may seek criminal enforcement under RCW 90.03.400, 90.03.410, and 90.44.120.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.82, 90.54, 90.22, 90.03, and 90.44 RCW. WSR 09-01-127 (Order 08-03), § 173-528-040, filed 12/19/08, effective 1/19/09.]

Chapters 90.82, 90.54, 90.22, 90.03, and 90.44 RCW. WSR 09-01-127 (Order 08-03), § 173-528-040, filed 12/19/08, effective 1/19/09.