Section 332-30-163. River management.

(1) Use and/or modification of any river system shall recognize basic hydraulic principles, as well as harmonize as much as possible with the existing aquatic ecosystems, and human needs.

(2) Priority consideration will be given to the preservation of the streamway environment with special attention given to preservation of those areas considered esthetically or environmentally unique.

(3) Bank and island stabilization programs which rely mainly on natural vegetative systems as holding elements will be encouraged.

(4) Research will be encouraged to develop alternative methods of channel control, utilizing natural systems of stabilization.

(5) Natural plant and animal communities and other features which provide an ecological balance to a streamway, will be recognized in evaluating competing human use and protected from significant human impact.

(6) Normal stream depositions of logs, uprooted tree snags and stumps which abut on shorelands and do not intrude on the navigational channel or reduce flow, or adversely redirect a river course, and are not harmful to life and property, will generally be left as they lie, in order to protect the resultant dependent aquatic systems.

(7) Development projects will not, in most cases, be permitted to fill indentations such as mudholes, eddies, pools and aeration drops.

(8) Braided and meandering channels will be protected from development.

(9) River channel relocations will be permitted only when an overriding public benefit can be shown. Filling, grading, lagooning or dredging which would result in substantial detriment to navigable waters by reason of erosion, sedimentation or impairment of fish and aquatic life will not be authorized.

(10) Sand and gravel removals will not be permitted below the wetted perimeter of navigable rivers except as authorized under a departments of fisheries and game hydraulics permit (RCW 75.55.100). Such removals may be authorized for maintenance and improvement of navigational channels.

(11) Sand and gravel removals above the wetted perimeter of a navigable river (which are not harmful to public health and safety) will be considered when any or all of the following situations exist:

(a) No alternative local upland source is available, and then the amount of such removals will be determined on a case by case basis after consideration of existing state and local regulations.

(b) The removal is designed to create or improve a feature such as a pond, wetland or other habitat valuable for fish and wildlife.

(c) The removal provides recreational benefits.

(d) The removal will aid in reducing a detrimental accumulation of aggregates in downstream lakes and reservoirs.

(e) The removal will aid in reducing damage to private or public land and property abutting a navigable river.

(12) Sand and gravel removals above the wetted perimeter of a navigable river will not be considered when:

(a) The location of such material is below a dam and has inadequate supplementary feeding of gravel or sand.

(b) Detached bars and islands are involved.

(c) Removal will cause unstable hydraulic conditions detrimental to fish, wildlife, public health and safety.

(d) Removal will impact esthetics of nearby recreational facilities.

(e) Removal will result in negative water quality according to department of ecology standards.

(13) Bank dumping and junk revetment will not be permitted on aquatic lands.

(14) Sand and gravel removal leases shall be conditioned to allow removal of only that amount which is naturally replenished on an annual basis.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 79.105.360. WSR 06-06-005 (Order 724), § 332-30-163, filed 2/16/06, effective 3/19/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.30.150. WSR 80-09-005 (Order 343), § 332-30-163, filed 7/3/80.]

RCW 79.105.360. WSR 06-06-005 (Order 724), § 332-30-163, filed 2/16/06, effective 3/19/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.30.150. WSR 80-09-005 (Order 343), § 332-30-163, filed 7/3/80.