Water rights applications, permits, and certificates were issued by the State Department of Ecology beginning in 1917. These records will be found at either the Department of Ecology or the Washington State Archives. The county auditor usually has copies. State land records generally provide the same kinds of information as other land records. | Water rights applications, permits, and certificates were issued by the State Department of Ecology beginning in 1917. These records will be found at either the Department of Ecology or the Washington State Archives. The county auditor usually has copies. State land records generally provide the same kinds of information as other land records. |