RCW 87.03.015
Certain powers of district enumerated.
Any irrigation district, operating and maintaining an irrigation system, in addition to other powers conferred by law, shall have authority:
(1) To purchase and sell electric power to the inhabitants of the irrigation district for the purposes of irrigation and domestic use; to finance, acquire, construct, own, and lease dams, canals, plants, transmission lines, and other power equipment and the necessary property and rights therefor and to operate, improve, repair, and maintain the same, for the generation and transmission of electrical energy for use in the operation of pumping plants and irrigation systems of the district and for sale to the inhabitants of the irrigation district for the purposes of irrigation and domestic use; and, as a further and separate grant of authority and in furtherance of a state purpose and policy of developing hydroelectric capability in connection with irrigation facilities, to construct, finance, acquire, own, lease, operate, improve, repair, and maintain, alone or jointly with other irrigation districts, boards of control, municipal or quasi-municipal corporations or cooperatives authorized to engage in the business of distributing electricity, electrical companies subject to the jurisdiction of the utilities and transportation commission, private commercial or industrial entities that construct or operate electric power generation or transmission facilities, or private commercial or industrial entities that acquire electric power for their own use or resale, hydroelectric facilities including but not limited to dams, canals, plants, transmission lines, other power equipment, and the necessary property and rights therefor, located within or outside the district, for the purpose of utilizing for the generation of electricity, water power made available by and as a part of the irrigation water storage, conveyance, and distribution facilities, waste ways, and drainage water facilities which serve irrigation districts, and to sell any and all the electric energy generated at any such hydroelectric facilities or the irrigation district's share of such energy, to municipal or quasi-municipal corporations or cooperatives authorized to engage in the business of distributing electricity, electrical companies subject to the jurisdiction of the utilities and transportation commission, private commercial or industrial entities that acquire electric power for their own use or resale, or other irrigation districts, and on such terms and conditions as the board of directors shall determine. No contract entered into under this subsection by the board of directors of any irrigation district for the sale of electrical energy from such hydroelectric facility for a period longer than forty years from the date of commercial operation of such hydroelectric facility shall be binding on the district until ratified by a majority vote of the electors of the district at an election therein, called, held, and canvassed for that purpose in the same manner as that provided by law for district bond elections.
(2) To construct, repair, purchase, maintain, or lease a system for the sale or lease of water to the owners of irrigated lands within the district for domestic purposes.
(3) To construct, repair, purchase, lease, acquire, operate and maintain a system of drains, sanitary sewers, and sewage disposal or treatment plants as herein provided.
(4) To assume, as principal or guarantor, any indebtedness to the United States under the federal reclamation laws, on account of district lands.
(5) To maintain, repair, construct, and reconstruct ditches, laterals, pipe lines, and other water conduits used or to be used in carrying water for irrigation of lands located within the boundaries of a city or town, or for the domestic use of the residents of a city or town where the owners of land within such city or town shall use such works to carry water to the boundaries of such city or town for irrigation, domestic, or other purposes within such city or town, and to charge to such city or town the pro rata proportion of the cost of such maintenance, repair, construction, and reconstruction work in proportion to the benefits received by the lands served and located within the boundaries of such city or town, and if such cost is not paid, then and in that event said irrigation district shall have the right to prevent further water deliveries through such works to the lands located within the boundaries of such city or town until such charges have been paid.
(6) To acquire, install, and maintain as a part of the irrigation district's water system the necessary water mains and fire hydrants to make water available for firefighting purposes; and in addition any such irrigation district shall have the authority to repair, operate, and maintain such hydrants and mains.
(7) To enter into contracts with other irrigation districts, boards of control, municipal or quasi-municipal corporations or cooperatives authorized to engage in the business of distributing electricity, electrical companies subject to the jurisdiction of the utilities and transportation commission, private commercial or industrial entities that construct or operate electric power generation or transmission facilities, or private commercial or industrial entities that acquire electric power for their own use or resale, to jointly finance, acquire, lease, construct, own, operate, improve, repair, and maintain irrigation water, domestic water, drainage and sewerage works, and electrical power works to the same extent as authorized by subsection (1) of this section, or portions of such works. If an irrigation district enters into a contract or agreement under this subsection to create a legal entity or undertaking with an investor-owned utility or a private commercial or industrial entity, that contract or agreement must provide that the irrigation district be severally liable only for its own acts and not jointly or severally liable for the acts, omissions, or obligations of an investor-owned utility or a private commercial or industrial entity. No money or property supplied by any irrigation district for the planning, financing, acquisition, construction, operation, or maintenance of any common facility may be credited or otherwise applied to the account of any investor-owned utility or private commercial or industrial entity therein, nor may the undivided share of any irrigation district in any common facility be charged, directly or indirectly, with any debt or obligation of any investor-owned utility or private commercial or industrial entity or be subject to any lien as a result thereof. No action in connection with a common facility may be binding upon any irrigation district unless authorized or approved by resolution of its board.
(8) To acquire from a water-sewer district wholly within the irrigation district's boundaries, by a conveyance without cost, the water-sewer district's water system and to operate the same to provide water for the domestic use of the irrigation district residents. As a part of its acceptance of the conveyance the irrigation district must agree to relieve the water-sewer district of responsibility for maintenance and repair of the system. Any such water-sewer district is authorized to make such a conveyance if all indebtedness of the water-sewer district, except local improvement district bonds, has been paid and the conveyance has been approved by a majority of the water-sewer district's voters voting at a general or special election.
(9) To approve and condition placement of hydroelectric generation facilities by entities other than the district on water conveyance facilities operated or maintained by the district.
This section shall not be construed as in any manner abridging any other powers of an irrigation district conferred by law.
[ 2017 c 63 § 1; 2014 c 2 § 6; 1999 c 153 § 74; 1979 ex.s. c 185 § 2; 1967 c 206 § 1; 1965 c 141 § 1; 1943 c 57 § 1; 1941 c 143 § 1; 1933 c 31 § 1; 1923 c 138 § 2, part; RRS § 7417-2. Formerly RCW 87.01.210, part.]
NOTES:
Part headings not law—1999 c 153: See note following RCW 57.04.050.
Effective date—Severability—1979 ex.s. c 185: See notes following RCW 87.03.013.
District bond elections: RCW 87.03.200.
Heating systems authorized: RCW 35.97.020.
Prerequisite to furnishing water or power outside of district: RCW 87.03.115.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 87.03 - Irrigation Districts Generally.
87.03.001 - Actions subject to review by boundary review board—Exceptions.
87.03.005 - District proposed—Powers, when organized.
87.03.010 - Certain purposes for which district may be formed.
87.03.015 - Certain powers of district enumerated.
87.03.0155 - Contract and formation powers.
87.03.016 - District may provide street lighting—Limitations.
87.03.0175 - District assistance for conservation, improvement, preservation, and efficient use.
87.03.018 - Creation of legal authority to carry out powers—Method—Indebtedness.
87.03.019 - Cooperative watershed management.
87.03.020 - Organization of district—Petition—Bond—Notice—Hearing—Order—Notice of election.
87.03.025 - State lands situated in or taken into district—Procedure—Assessments, collection.
87.03.030 - Elections are governed by irrigation district laws.
87.03.031 - Absentee voting—Certification of inconvenience.
87.03.035 - Elections to form district—How conducted.
87.03.040 - Elections to form district—Canvass of returns—Order.
87.03.045 - Qualifications of voters and directors—Districts of two hundred thousand acres.
87.03.071 - Certain districts—Individual ownerships—Two votes.
87.03.080 - Directors—Election—Terms—Increase and decrease.
87.03.081 - Directors—Vacancies, how filled.
87.03.082 - Directors—Oaths of office—Secretary.
87.03.083 - Directors—Recall and discharge.
87.03.085 - Post-organization district elections—Election boards—Notice.
87.03.090 - Post-organization district elections—Election officers—Voting hours.
87.03.095 - Post-organization district elections—Counting votes—Record of ballots.
87.03.100 - Post-organization district elections—Certification of returns—Preservation for recount.
87.03.105 - Post-organization district elections—Canvass.
87.03.115 - Organization of board—Meetings—Quorum—Certain powers and duties.
87.03.130 - District change of name.
87.03.135 - Sale or lease of district personal property.
87.03.136 - Sale or lease of district real property.
87.03.139 - Lawful disposal of sewage and waste by others—Immunity.
87.03.140 - Board's powers and duties generally—Condemnation procedure.
87.03.145 - Condemnation—Finding of benefits and damages—Judgment—Costs.
87.03.150 - Condemnation—Title acquired by district.
87.03.155 - Conveyances—Actions by and against district.
87.03.158 - Officers, employees, agents—Legal representation—Costs of defense.
87.03.160 - Group insurance—Purchase.
87.03.162 - Liability insurance for officials and employees.
87.03.165 - Proposed works—Surveys, maps and plans to be prepared.
87.03.170 - Proposed works—Certification filed with director of ecology.
87.03.175 - Proposed works—Director's findings to district board.
87.03.180 - Proposed works—Substance of director's findings.
87.03.185 - Proposed works—Reclamation Service may make findings.
87.03.190 - Proposed works—Plan of development—Special election.
87.03.195 - Proposed works—Certain irrigation districts excepted.
87.03.205 - Sections exclusive of other bonding methods—Validation.
87.03.210 - Sale or pledge of bonds.
87.03.215 - Payment of bonds and interest, other indebtedness—Lien, enforcement of—Scope of section.
87.03.235 - Rights of federal agencies as to certain district bonds.
87.03.240 - Assessments, how and when made—Assessment roll.
87.03.245 - Deputy secretaries for assessment.
87.03.250 - Assessment roll to be filed—Notice of equalization.
87.03.255 - Equalization of assessments.
87.03.260 - Levies, amount—Special funds—Failure to make levy, procedure.
87.03.265 - Lien of assessment.
87.03.271 - Lien for delinquent assessment to include costs and interest.
87.03.275 - Medium of payment of assessments.
87.03.277 - Payment by credit cards, charge cards, and other electronic communication.
87.03.280 - Cancellation of assessments due United States—Procedure.
87.03.285 - Segregation of assessment—Authorization.
87.03.290 - Segregation of assessment—Hearing.
87.03.295 - Segregation of assessment—Notice of hearing.
87.03.300 - Segregation of assessment—Order.
87.03.305 - Segregation of assessment—Amendment of roll—Effect.
87.03.420 - Evidence of assessment, what is.
87.03.430 - Bonds—Interest payments.
87.03.435 - Construction work—Notice—Bids—Contracts—Bonds.
87.03.436 - Small works roster.
87.03.437 - Competitive bids—Use of purchase contract process in RCW 39.04.190.
87.03.438 - "County treasurer," "treasurer of the county," defined.
87.03.442 - Bonds of secretary and depositaries.
87.03.443 - Upgrading and improvement fund authorized—Deposits—Use of funds.
87.03.450 - Income from sale of electricity.
87.03.455 - District's right to cross other property.
87.03.460 - Compensation and expenses of directors, officers, employees.
87.03.470 - Special assessments—Election—Notes.
87.03.475 - Power as to incurring indebtedness.
87.03.480 - Local improvement districts—Petition.
87.03.485 - Local improvement districts—Notice—Hearing—Initiation by board, procedure.
87.03.492 - Local improvement districts—Bonds, valid claim—General indebtedness.
87.03.495 - Local improvement districts—Costs of the improvement—Assessments—Disposal of bonds.
87.03.500 - Local improvement districts—Payment of bonds.
87.03.505 - Local improvement districts—L.I.D. unable to pay costs—Survey—Reassessments.
87.03.510 - Local improvement districts—Irrigation district L.I.D. guarantee fund.
87.03.515 - Local improvement districts—Refunding bonds.
87.03.525 - Local improvement districts—Provisions applicable to districts formerly organized.
87.03.527 - Local improvement districts—Alternative methods of formation.
87.03.535 - Consolidation of irrigation districts—Proceedings for consolidation—Elections.
87.03.545 - Consolidation of irrigation districts—Obligations of included districts unaffected.
87.03.550 - Consolidation of irrigation districts—Property vested in new district—Credit.
87.03.553 - Consolidated local improvement districts for bond issuance.
87.03.555 - Change of boundaries authorized—Effect.
87.03.560 - Adding lands to district—Petition, contents—Acknowledgment.
87.03.565 - Adding lands to district—Notice—Contents—Service.
87.03.570 - Adding lands to district—Hearing—Assent.
87.03.575 - Adding lands to district—Payment for benefits received required.
87.03.580 - Adding lands to district—Order.
87.03.585 - Adding lands to district—Resolution.
87.03.590 - Adding lands to district—Election—Notice—How conducted.
87.03.595 - Adding lands to district—Order changing boundaries—Record.
87.03.600 - Adding lands to district—Change of boundaries recorded—Effect.
87.03.605 - Adding lands to district—Petition to be recorded—Admissible as evidence.
87.03.610 - Adding lands to district—Guardian, administrator or executor may act.
87.03.615 - Adding lands to districts of two hundred thousand acres—Petition.
87.03.625 - Adding lands to districts of two hundred thousand acres—Contents of notice.
87.03.630 - Adding lands to districts of two hundred thousand acres—Hearing—Order including lands.
87.03.635 - Adding lands to districts of two hundred thousand acres—Denial of petition.
87.03.640 - Adding lands to districts of two hundred thousand acres—Order filed—Effect.
87.03.645 - Exclusion of lands from district—Effect.
87.03.650 - Exclusion of lands from district—Petition to exclude lands—Contents.
87.03.655 - Exclusion of lands from district—Notice—Contents—Service.
87.03.660 - Exclusion of lands from district—Hearing—Assent.
87.03.665 - Exclusion of lands from district—Order denying or granting petition.
87.03.670 - Exclusion of lands from district—Assent of bondholders.
87.03.675 - Exclusion of lands from district—Order for election—Notice—Conduct of election.
87.03.680 - Exclusion of lands from district—Procedure following election—Order of exclusion.
87.03.685 - Exclusion of lands from district—Orders to be recorded—Effect.
87.03.695 - Exclusion of lands from district—Refunds—Cancellation of assessments.
87.03.700 - Connecting system to lower drainage district—Procedure.
87.03.705 - Connecting system to lower drainage district—Negative finding by jury or court.
87.03.715 - Connecting system to lower drainage district—Increased maintenance costs.
87.03.750 - Exclusion of nonirrigable land when state holds all outstanding bonds—Resolution.
87.03.780 - Proceedings for judicial confirmation—Authorization.
87.03.785 - Proceedings for judicial confirmation—Petition—Contents.
87.03.790 - Proceedings for judicial confirmation—Notice of hearing.
87.03.795 - Proceedings for judicial confirmation—Demurrer or answer—Procedure.
87.03.800 - Proceedings for judicial confirmation—Jurisdiction of court—Order—Costs.
87.03.805 - Proceedings for judicial confirmation—Appeal.
87.03.810 - Lump sum payment to district for irrigable lands acquired for highway purposes.
87.03.820 - Disposal of real property—Right of adjacent owners.
87.03.825 - Hydroelectric resources—Development—Legislative findings.
87.03.834 - Hydroelectric resources—Separate legal authority—Voter ratification of actions.
87.03.837 - Hydroelectric resources—Separate legal authority—Repayment of indebtedness—Powers.
87.03.840 - Chapter supplementary—When.
87.03.860 - Assumption of substandard water system—Limited immunity from liability.
87.03.870 - Mutual aid agreements for emergency interdistrict assistance—Authority—Liability.
87.03.880 - Tariff for irrigation pumping service—Authority to buy back electricity.
87.03.900 - Construction—1913 c 165.
87.03.920 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.