Plugging and abandonment of wells or core holes — Transfer of jurisdiction to department of ecology.

RCW 78.60.100

in effect

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. 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.

Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=78.60&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026