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Show 762 WASHINGTON and other requirements of present and future generations of Washington citizens. (2) In order to carry out the policy set forth in this chapter, it is the con- tinuing responsbility of the State of Washington and all agencies of the State to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considera- tions of State policy, to improve and coordinate plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that the State and its citizens may: (a) Fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations; (b) Assure for all people of Washington safe, healthful, productive, and esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings; (c) Attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment with- out degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unin- tended consequences; (d) Preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage; (e) Maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports di- versity and variety of individual choice; (f) Achieve a balance between population and resource use which will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's amenities; and (g) Enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maxi- mum attainable recycling of depletable resources. (3) The legislature recognizes that each person has a fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful environment and that each person has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.11 The act further provides that the policies of State agencies and local governments are to reflect the State policy and guidelines, and spells out certain procedures which are to be followed in order to insure a systematic, interdisciplinary approach with respect to plan- ning and decisionmaking on matters which may have an impact on the environment.12 2. State Organizational Structure for Water Administration and Control 2.1 Administration of Water Rights A. ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY As pointed out above, the general administrative supervision of Washington's water resources is now vested in the department of ecology. The general responsibility of the department, as stated in the act, is: * * * to establish a single State agency with the authority to manage and develop our air and water resources in an orderly, efficient, and effective manner and to carry out a coordinated program of pollution control involving these and related land resources. To this end a department of ecology is created by this chapter to undertake, in an integrated manner, the various water regulation, management, planning and development programs now authorized to be performed by the department of water resources and the water pollution control commission, the air regulation and management pro- gram now performed by the State air pollution control board, the solid waste regulation and management program authorized to be performed by State government as provided by chapter 70.95 ROW, and such other environmental, management protection and development programs as may be authorized by the legislature.13 11 Sec. 43.21C.020. M Sec. 43, 21C.030. 18 Sec. 43 21A.020. |