The Washington State water code is daunting. The network of rules and regulations is complex: Washington Administrative Codes. Revised Code of Washington. Hundreds of court cases. Ecology administrative policies. It can be difficult to navigate.
In this mix is a key concept: ‘Annual Consumptive Quantity’ or ‘ACQ.’ Originating in 1997, ACQ is a specialized analysis that is triggered whenever a water right is changed to expand its authorized irrigated acreage or add a purpose of use (while retaining its current purpose of use).
The ACQ process can have big implications on the outcome of a water right change – especially if the water right falls into one of the special exceptions that disqualify it from ACQ.
Taylor Dayton, Aspect engineer and member of the Chelan County Conservancy Board, recently gave a presentation on what Annual Consumptive Quantity is, how to apply it, and possible alternative approaches to changing the attributes of a water right in water rights permitting projects.
See a video of her presentation below:
Contact Taylor to learn more.