Trust Water Rights Program

2022 Legislative Report Released
Read the 2022 Water Right Transfers, Water Banking, and Trust Legislative Report
- Temporarily hold water rights in trust to provide environmental benefits while they are not in use. For more information on temporary donations, see below.
- Permanently hold water rights in trust to address out-of-stream water supply challenges. For more information, visit our water banks page.
Temporary donations
- Donors receive their water right back at the end of the temporary donation period without penalty.
- Water rights held in trust are not subject to relinquishment.
- Temporary Donation of a Water Right to the Trust Water Rights Program (form)
- View recent temporary donation requests
Related laws & policies
- Chapter 90.38 RCW — applies to the Yakima Basin
- Chapter 90.42 RCW — applies statewide
- Policy 1010: Administration of the Trust Water Rights Program
Related links
- Advisory Group on Water Trust, Banking and Transfers - 2020 archive of meetings
- Washington Water Acquisition Program: Finding Water to Restore Streams - March 2003
Contact information
Noah Wentzel
Statewide Trust Water Coordinator
noah.wentzel@ecy.wa.gov
360-522-2777
Region trust water right contacts
Buck Smith
Northwest Region Office – Shoreline
Counties: Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom
buck.smith@ecy.wa.gov
425-649-7147
Dan Tolleson
Eastern Region Office – Spokane
Counties: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman
dan.tolleson@ecy.wa.gov
509-329-3526
Kelsey Collins
Central Region Trust Water Coordinator
kelsey.collins@ecy.wa.gov
509-575-2640