Any
well or core hole drilled under authority of this chapter from
which:
(1) It is not technologically practical to derive the energy
to produce electricity commercially, or the owner or operator has
no intention of deriving energy to produce electricity
commercially, and
(2) Usable minerals cannot be derived, or the owner or
operator has no intention of deriving usable minerals, shall be
plugged and abandoned as provided in this chapter or, upon the
owner's or operator's written application to the department of
natural resources and with the concurrence and approval of the
department of ecology, jurisdiction over the well may be
transferred to the department of ecology and, in such case, the
well shall no longer be subject to the provisions of this chapter
but shall be subject to any applicable laws and rules relating to
wells drilled for appropriation and use of groundwaters. If an
application is made to transfer jurisdiction, a copy of all logs,
records, histories, and descriptions shall be provided to the
department of ecology by the applicant.
[2007 c 338 § 2; 1974 ex.s. c 43 § 10. Formerly RCW 79.76.100.]