Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1969 NO. 4 >

(1) The water pollution control commission has the authority to establish water quality standards for waters of the state under RCW 90.48.035, including waters found in canals, drains, wasteways and reservoirs of irrigation and drainage systems located within the state.  (2) Persons who propose to discharge wastes of industrial and commercial operations into canals, drains, wasteways or reservoirs or irrigation and drainage systems are required by RCW 90.48.160 to obtain a waste discharge permit prior to such a discharge.

AGO 1967 NO. 39 >

The water pollution control commission is authorized, under state law, both to adopt water quality standards for interstate waters within the state of Washington and to enforce those standards

AGO 1957 NO. 84 >

Records and files of a commission of this state required by statute to be maintained by that commission are "public records" which legitimately interested members of the public have the right to inspect.  Whether access should be allowed to other records and files of such a commission is a matter of discretion vested with the administrative head of the commission.

AGO 1954 NO. 247 >

1.  The Pollution Control Commission does not have authority to seek injunctive relief against the zoning of areas for specific purposes. 2.  The commission may seek injunctive relief against the discharge of industrial wastes into waters of the state if such matter tends to pollute such waters. 3.  Whether or not the commission has the duty to seek injunctive relief in a specific case is a policy decision.

AGO 1953 NO. 474 >

The Pollution Control Commission does not have authority to bring a civil action in the name of the state for damages to fish, game or other resources, arising from pollution.