78.60.060 - Scope of chapter. - Washington Statutes

Scope of chapter.

This chapter is intended to preempt local regulation of the drilling and operation of wells for geothermal resources but shall not be construed to permit the locating of any well or drilling when such well or drilling is prohibited under state or local land use law or regulations promulgated thereunder. Geothermal resources, by-products and/or waste products which have escaped or been released from the energy transfer system and/or a mineral recovery process shall be subject to provisions of state law relating to the pollution of ground or surface waters (Title 90 RCW), provisions of the state fisheries law and the state game laws (Title 77 RCW), and any other state environmental pollution control laws. Authorization for use of by-product water resources for all beneficial uses, including but not limited to greenhouse heating, warm water fish propagation, space heating plants, irrigation, swimming pools, and hot springs baths, shall be subject to the appropriation procedure as provided in Title 90 RCW.

[2003 c 39 § 40; 1974 ex.s. c 43 § 6. Formerly RCW 79.76.060.]