Washington Water Rights, Sales and Transfers

• Overview

Stay up-to-date on Washington's water right transfer process.

Water transfers are emerging as an effective alternative to the development of new water resources. Water transfers can be used to reconcile otherwise competing needs for water in a region in which water resources have been abundant but which are becoming increasingly scarce. This topic helps practitioners understand the process for transferring water rights, the use and development of water banks and opportunities to mitigate for potential impacts.

Authors

Jessica C. Kuchan, Mentor Law Group, PLLC David Stearns, Office of Attorney General Ecology Division

Agenda

Water Right Transfers: Overview

• Changes to Attributes of a Water Right

• Extent and Validity Analysis

• Impairment to Senior Water Rights

Mitigation for Water Right Transfers

• Water Banks

• Types of Mitigation

• Foster v. City of Yelm