Resolution Amending the Kittitas County Water Conservancy Board Bylaws

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Bylaws of the Kittitas County Water Conservancy Board Section 1.0 Authorization for Kittitas County Water Conservancy Board 1.1 As approved by Resolution of the Kittitas County Commissioners, the Kittitas County Conservancy Board (Water Board) is established as a public body corporate and politic, a separate unit of local government in Washington State, as authorized under Chapter 90.80 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Conduct and operations of the Water Board shall in in compliance with Chapter 90 80 RCW and are subject to review by the Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology (Director of Ecology). Section 2.0 Water Board Purposes, Powers, and Objectives 2.1 The legislature determined that the State should expedite the administrative process for noncontested or voluntary water right transfers among water right holders, conveying greater operational control to local water managers and water right holders through the creation of water conservancy boards. The Water Board shall have the powers and authority as granted under Chapter 90 80 RCW as amended. 2.2 Voluntary water right transfers between water users can reallocate water use in a manner that will result in more efficient use of water resources; can help alleviate water shortages, save capital outlays, and reduce development costs; and will provide an incentive for investment water conservation efforts by water right holders. Conservation measures, whether privately funded or publicly funded, shall not be construed as grounds for relinquishment of any portion, or use, of the water right. Section 3.0 Water Board Members and Funding 3.1 The Kittitas County Water Conservancy Board was created by the adoption of Resolution by the Kittitas County Commissioners (Exhibit l) and the Department of Ecology as required by RCW 90.80 030 3.2 The Water Board shall consist of three commissioners and two alternates appointed by the Kittitas County Commissioners to serve six-year terms, with an initial Water Board chair selected by the Board of Commissioners and subsequently elected by its members. The terms for initial appointments to the Water Board shall be staggered to serve as two-, four-, and six-year terms, respectively, from the date of appointment. Water Board appointments are within the discretion of the Kittitas County Commissioners. Vacancies in the Water Board shall be filled through appointment by the Kittitas County Commissioners, who shall advertise any vacancies to the Water Board in the paper of record for the county and accept applications and nominations for appointment. The Board of County Commissioners may remove any Water Board member for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in offrce.