Wash. Rev. Code » Title 90 · Chapter 90.54
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 90.54.120 (2026)

"Department," "utilize," and "utilization" defined

✓ current as of May 2026
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For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context is clearly to the contrary, the following definitions shall be used:
(1) "Department" means department of ecology.
(2) "Utilize" or "utilization" shall not only mean use of water for such long recognized consumptive or nonconsumptive beneficial purposes as domestic, stock watering, industrial, commercial, agricultural, irrigation, hydroelectric power production, thermal power production, mining, recreational, maintenance of wildlife and fish life purposes, but includes the retention of water in lakes and streams for the protection of environmental, scenic, aesthetic and related purposes, upon which economic values have not been placed historically and are difficult to quantify.
[ 1971 ex.s. c 225 s 13.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 2004–2004 · leading case: Port of Seattle v. Pollution Control Hearings Bd., 90 P.3d 659 (Wash. 2004).
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Port of Seattle v. Pollution Control Hearings Bd., 90 P.3d 659 (Wash. 2004). “54 RCW, defines “utilize” to include “the retention of water in lakes and streams for the protection of environmental, scenic, aesthetic and related purposes,” RCW 90.54.120(2), that definition has not been applied to the term “use” under the water code.”
Port of Seattle v. PCHB, 90 P.3d 659 (Wash. 2004). “54 RCW, defines "utilize" to include "the retention of water in lakes and streams for the protection of environmental, scenic, aesthetic and related purposes," RCW 90.54.120(2), that definition has not been applied to the term "use" under the water code.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 90.54.120(2) — 2 cases
Port of Seattle v. Pollution Control Hearings Bd., 90 P.3d 659 (Wash. 2004). “54 RCW, defines “utilize” to include “the retention of water in lakes and streams for the protection of environmental, scenic, aesthetic and related purposes,” RCW 90.54.120(2), that definition has not been applied to the term “use” under the water code.”
Port of Seattle v. PCHB, 90 P.3d 659 (Wash. 2004). “54 RCW, defines "utilize" to include "the retention of water in lakes and streams for the protection of environmental, scenic, aesthetic and related purposes," RCW 90.54.120(2), that definition has not been applied to the term "use" under the water code.”
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