In its discretion or upon the application of any party claiming right to the withdrawal and use of public groundwater, the department may file a petition with the superior court of the county for the determination of the rights of appropriators of any particular groundwater body and all the provisions of RCW 90.03.110 through 90.03.240 as heretofore amended, shall govern and apply to the adjudication and determination of such groundwater body and to the ownership thereof. Hereafter, in any proceedings for the adjudication and determination of water rights -- either rights to the use of surface water or to the use of groundwater, or both -- pursuant to chapter 90.03 RCW as heretofore amended, all appropriators of groundwater or of surface water in the particular basin or area may be included as parties to such adjudication, as pertinent.

[1987 c 109 § 119; 1945 c 263 § 17; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 7400-17.]

NOTES:

     Purpose -- Short title -- Construction -- Rules -- Severability -- Captions -- 1987 c 109: See notes following RCW 43.21B.001.

Additional powers and duties enumerated -- Payment from reclamation account: RCW 89.16.055.

Application of RCW sections to specific proceedings: RCW 90.14.200.

Determination of water rights
   scope: RCW 90.03.245.
   state to bear its expenses incurred in and on appeal: RCW 90.03.243.