LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

March 2009

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Washington Legislature Considers Report on Downstream Water Right Transfers

In 2008, prompted by concern over the local economic impact of transfers of water rights from northeastern Washington to downstream watersheds, the Washington Legislature considered prohibiting such transfers altogether, but opted instead for a time-honored legislative solution: a study. A newly released report to the Washington Legislature, “Protecting Local Economies,” by Lawrence J. MacDonnell, P.C., addresses the disproportionate impacts on rural communities from losing irrigation water rights, and recommends various legislative options to address third party concerns with such water right changes.