RCW 90.03.040
Eminent domain—Use of water declared public use.
The beneficial use of water is hereby declared to be a public use, and any person may exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire any property or rights now or hereafter existing when found necessary for the storage of water for, or the application of water to, any beneficial use, including the right to enlarge existing structures employed for the public purposes mentioned in this chapter and use the same in common with the former owner, and including the right and power to condemn an inferior use of water for a superior use. In condemnation proceedings the court shall determine what use will be for the greatest public benefit, and that use shall be deemed a superior one: PROVIDED, That no property right in water or the use of water shall be acquired hereunder by condemnation for irrigation purposes, which shall deprive any person of such quantity of water as may be reasonably necessary for the irrigation of his or her land then under irrigation to the full extent of the soil, by the most economical method of artificial irrigation applicable to such land according to the usual methods of artificial irrigation employed in the vicinity where such land is situated. In any case, the court shall determine what is the most economical method of irrigation. Such property or rights shall be acquired in the manner provided by law for the taking of private property for public use by private corporations.
[ 2013 c 23 § 592; 1917 c 117 § 4; RRS § 7354. Formerly RCW 90.04.030.]
NOTES:
Eminent domain by corporations: Chapter 8.20 RCW.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 90 - Water Rights—Environment
90.03.005 - State water policy—Cooperation with other agencies—Reduction of wasteful practices.
90.03.010 - Appropriation of water rights—Existing rights preserved.
90.03.020 - Units of water measurement.
90.03.040 - Eminent domain—Use of water declared public use.
90.03.060 - Water masters—Appointment, compensation.
90.03.070 - Water masters—Duties—Office space and equipment—Clerical assistance.
90.03.090 - Water master's power of arrest.
90.03.100 - Prosecuting attorney, legal assistant.
90.03.105 - Petition by planning units for general adjudication.
90.03.110 - Determination of water rights—Petition—Statement and plan.
90.03.130 - Determination of water rights—Service of summons.
90.03.140 - Determination of water rights—Adjudication claim by defendant.
90.03.150 - Determination of water rights—Guardian ad litem for defendant.
90.03.180 - Determination of water rights—Filing fee.
90.03.210 - Determination of water rights—Interim regulation of water—Appeals.
90.03.220 - Determination of water rights—Failure to appear—Estoppel.
90.03.230 - Determination of water rights—Copy of decree to director.
90.03.240 - Determination of water rights—Certificate of adjudicated water right—Notice—Fees.
90.03.245 - Determination of water rights—Scope.
90.03.250 - Appropriation procedure—Application for permit—Temporary permit.
90.03.260 - Appropriation procedure—Application—Contents.
90.03.270 - Appropriation procedure—Record of application.
90.03.280 - Appropriation procedure—Notice.
90.03.300 - Appropriation procedure—Diversion of water for out-of-state use—Reciprocity.
90.03.310 - Appropriation procedure—Assignability of permit or application.
90.03.320 - Appropriation procedure—Construction work.
90.03.330 - Appropriation procedure—Water right certificate.
90.03.340 - Appropriation procedure—Effective date of water right.
90.03.360 - Controlling works and measuring devices—Metering of diversions—Impact on fish stock.
90.03.383 - Interties—Findings—Definitions—Review and approval.
90.03.390 - Temporary changes—Emergency interties—Rotation in use.
90.03.395 - Change of point of diversion to downstream intake structure—Intent.
90.03.400 - Crimes against water code—Unauthorized use of water.
90.03.420 - Crimes against water code—Obstruction of right-of-way.
90.03.430 - Partnership ditches—Action for reimbursement for work done.
90.03.440 - Partnership ditches—Procedure for division of water between joint owners.
90.03.450 - Partnership ditches—Lien for labor performed.
90.03.460 - Inchoate rights not affected.
90.03.471 - Disposition of fees.
90.03.500 - Stormwater control facilities—Imposition of rates and charges—Legislative findings.
90.03.520 - Stormwater control facilities—Imposition of rates and charges—Definitions.
90.03.540 - Highway construction improvement projects—Joint stormwater treatment facilities.
90.03.550 - Municipal water supply purposes—Beneficial uses.
90.03.560 - Municipal water supply purposes—Identification.
90.03.580 - Failing public water system—Conditions.
90.03.590 - Municipal water suppliers—Watershed agreement—Pilot project.
90.03.591 - New watershed agreements prohibited after July 1, 2008.
90.03.605 - Compliance—Sequence of enforcement measures—Location of compliance personnel.
90.03.615 - Calculating annual consumptive quantity.
90.03.620 - Water rights adjudication—Disqualification of judge.
90.03.625 - Water rights adjudication—Motion for default.
90.03.630 - Water rights adjudication—Use for which a statement of claim is required.
90.03.635 - Water rights adjudication—Filing of evidence.
90.03.640 - Water rights adjudication—Preliminary investigation—Department's report of findings.
90.03.645 - Water rights adjudication—Early settlement encouraged—Approval of settlement.
90.03.650 - Water rights processing account.
90.03.655 - Expedited processing of applications—On department's own volition—Notice—Fees.
90.03.660 - Expedited processing of applications—Notice to tribal governments.
90.03.665 - Certified water right examiners—Fees—Rules.
90.03.670 - Processing of water right applications—Scope of chapter 285, Laws of 2010.