title
AN ORDINANCE approving the Cascade Water Alliance Transmission and Supply Plan.
body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. King County has adopted K.C.C. chapter 13.24, which requires approval of comprehensive plans for water utilities that distribute or obtain water in unincorporated King County as a prerequisite for operating in unincorporated King County, receiving approval for annexation proposals, being granted right-of-way franchises and being given approval for right-of-way construction permits. K.C.C. 13.24.060 prescribes the requirements for approval of such plans, including consistency with state and local planning requirements.
2. RCW 70.116.050 requires that general comprehensive plans for water within critical water supply service areas be submitted to, and approved by, the legislative authority within whose boundaries all or a portion of a utility lies.
3. The Cascade Water Alliance's ("CWA") last water system plan was approved in 2006. Both Washington state Department of Health ("DOH") and King County regulations require water system plans to be updated every six years.
4. The Cascade Water Alliance ("CWA") is within a critical water supply service area and has adopted a transmission and supply plan ("the plan").
5. King County has adopted a comprehensive plan that includes water supply policies in its provisions for facilities and services (policies F-201 through F-244) that call for consistency with other adopted plans, support for regional water supply planning, pursuit of reclaimed water, water conservation and protection of water resources.
6. K.C.C. chapter 13.24 requires that the utilities technical review committee ("UTRC") to review and make a recommendation to the King County executive and council on the plan and the requirements under K.C.C. chapter 13.24 and consistency with the King County Comprehensive Plan. The UTRC has reviewed the planning data and CWA operations and has found:
a. The plan uses population and employment forecasts developed by the Puget Sound Regional Council for the CWA service area;
b. Portions of the CWA service area are in unincorporated King County;
c. The capital facility plan is adequate to meet anticipated facility and service needs;
d. The plan is consistent with applicable Washington state water quality laws, including the evaluation of reclaimed water use; and
e. The plan is consistent with other pertinent county adopted plans and policies.
7. The DOH approval of the CWA's plan is pending King County council action.
8. Under the state Environmental Policy Act CWA issued a determination of nonsignificance for the issuance of the plan on December 30, 2011, and there were no appeals.
9. CWA's operations and facilities meet multiple existing statutory, administrative and planning standards. As CWA's operations, facilities and planning meet the requirements of the King County Code, and are consistent with the King County Comprehensive Plan, the UTRC has recommended approval of the plan.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. The Cascade Water Alliance Transmission and Supply Plan, Attachment A to this ordinance, is hereby approved as a water system plan.