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AN ORDINANCE approving the Lake Meridian Water District Water Comprehensive Plan dated April 2023.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

1.  King County has adopted K.C.C. chapter 13.24, which requires approval of comprehensive plans for water and sewer utilities that provide service 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. chapter 13.24 prescribes the requirements for approval of such plans, including consistency with state and local planning requirements.

2. RCW 57.16.010 requires general comprehensive plans by special purpose districts be submitted to, and be approved by, the legislative authority within whose boundaries all or a portion of a utility lies.

3.  The Lake Meridian Water District's last water system plan was approved in 2016, under its former name King County Water District No. 111.  King County regulations require water system plans to be updated every six years.

4.  The Lake Meridian Water District's water system has a service area within King County and has adopted a water comprehensive plan update ("the plan").

5.  King County has adopted a Comprehensive Plan that includes water supply policies in its provisions for facilities and services, which are policies F-210, F-231 through F-254, 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 the utilities technical review committee to review and make a recommendation to the King County executive and council on the plan, the requirements under K.C.C. chapter 13.24, and consistency with the King County Comprehensive Plan.  The utilities technical review committee has reviewed the planning data and system operations and has found:

  a.  The plan considers population and employment forecasts developed by the Puget Sound Regional Council;

  b.  The system's service area is 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; and

  e.  The plan is consistent with other pertinent county adopted plans and policies.

7.  Washington state Department of Health approval is pending upon King County's approval of the plan.

8.  Under the State Environmental Policy Act the district completed an environmental check list and issued a Determination of Nonsignificance for the plan on March 7, 2023.  There were no appeals.

9.  The district's operations and facilities meet multiple existing statutory, administrative, and planning standards.  As the district's operations, facilities, and planning meet the requirements of the King County Code and are consistent with the King County Comprehensive Plan, the utilities technical review committee has recommended approval of the plan.

                     BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:

                     SECTION 1.  The Lake Meridian Water District Water Comprehensive Plan

dated April 2023, Attachment A to this ordinance, is hereby approved as a comprehensive water plan.