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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 12, 1997
97-177
CONTACT: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Officer, (509) 456-4464
Viki Leuba, Ground Water Management Area Coordinator, (509) 625-5179
Commissioners in these counties recently signed resolutions and submitted a formal petition to the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) to create a GWMA. Ecology has the authority to designate a GWMA.
Hearings will be held on the following dates:
Informational workshop at 6:30 p.m.; public hearing at 7:30 p.m.
The purpose of the GWMA would be to form a cooperative and coordinated approach throughout the region to reduce nitrate contamination of ground water and prevent further contamination. Recent studies have shown elevated nitrate levels in well water in parts of the mid-Columbia basin. At elevated levels, nitrates can pose a health problem for pregnant women and infants.
"It's crucial that nitrate contamination be addressed directly and quickly in order to protect the groundwater resources of the area," said Viki Leuba, Ecology's Mid-Columbia GWMA coordinator. "We also need to protect the economic well-being of agriculture. A coordinated, multi-county, locally-driven approach is essential."
A local plan for tackling the nitrate problem would be developed by a local groundwater advisory committee.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
