In 1994 the Department of Ecology developed a policy to encourage livestock producers to move livestock away from surface water (springs, creeks, rivers) to protect water quality. Surface water could be diverted to a stockwater tank outside the excluded area so that pastures could still be used. Many of these projects were done across Washington.

 

Ecology is reconsidering the policy. The proposed change in policy would not allow the diversion of surface water from an excluded area or livestock drinking surface water directly unless the livestock owner has a water right. The right to drill a well and water the number of livestock equal to, or less than, the carrying capacity of the land parcel remains. This policy will affect most of the livestock in the state.

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Update 7/27/22:

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The Washington State Conservation Commission and the Department of Ecology have discontinued meeting and the statewide listening sessions that were planned have been cancelled. The Conservation Commission put out an update and you can read it by clicking here.