The salary of the stream patrolman shall be borne by the water users receiving the benefits and shall be paid to the county or counties in the following manner:
The county or counties may assess each water user for his proportionate share of the total stream patrolman expense in the same ratio that the amount of water diverted by him bears to the total amount diverted from the stream during each season, on an annual basis, to recover all such county expenses. The stream patrolman shall keep an accurate record of the amount of water diverted by each water user coming under his supervision. On the first of each month the stream patrolman shall present his record of water diversion to the county or counties for the preceding month. Where the water users are organized into an irrigation district or water users' association, such organization may enter into an agreement with the county or counties for direct payment to the stream patrolman in order to minimize administrative costs.
[1977 c 22 § 3; 1925 ex.s. c 162 § 3; RRS § 7351-3.]
Notes:Irrigation districts generally: Chapter 87.03 RCW.