Background
Ecology is amending the Emergency Drought Relief rule (chapter 173-166 WAC), that details Ecology’s drought declaration and drought relief management processes and procedures.
This rulemaking seeks to streamline emergency drought relief administration and add clarity to processes and terms related to emergency drought relief and the drought declaration process.
Why rulemaking?
As droughts become more common, an updated drought relief rule will increase efficiency and transparency around emergency drought relief.
What is considered “drought”?
A drought emergency can be declared when Washington State law defines “drought” as:
(1) water supply in an area below 75% of normal, and
(2) water shortage is likely to create undue hardships for water users or the environment (RCW 43.83B.011)
Timeline
We are early in this multi-year rulemaking process:
• November 2023, Rulemaking Announcement (CR-101)
• NOW: Outreach and engagement
• Anticipate Draft rule language (CR-102) for comment in Fall 2025.
• Targeting Winter 2026 for rule adoption.
Join an event
We're hosting in-person and virtual listening sessions. Visit the event page for more information.
In-person open house listening sessions:
Public Virtual listening sessions:
Share your input in the online survey.
- Survey opens: Oct. 7, 2024
- Survey closes: 11:59 p.m., Nov. 22, 2024
Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide us with your input.
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