Washington State Department of Ecology

News Release

Department of Ecology News Release - Oct. 12, 2000

00-200

$50,000 grant kicks off planning effort for Upper Crab Creek watershed

SPOKANE - Local efforts to develop a plan for future water use in the Upper Crab Creek area will receive a $50,000 boost on Monday from Rep. Cathy McMorris (R-Colville) and the state Department of Ecology (Ecology).

On Monday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m., McMorris will present the Lincoln County commissioners with a check from Ecology to begin the process of "watershed planning" in the Upper Crab Creek watershed. The watershed is located primarily in Lincoln County, but also spans into Spokane, Adams and Grant counties.

The grant will help set up a planning unit with representatives from several different water interests and agencies in Grant County, which will begin a three-phase process. The organization of the planning unit is the first phase.

The second phase will be assessing the current use and future needs for surface and ground water. The third phase will be to develop a plan to address those needs.

Crab Creek provides water for livestock and recreational uses, while groundwater in the watershed provides drinking water for towns and rural residences and agricultural irrigation.

"The ability of the water system in this area to satisfy demand is often taxed during dry years," explained McMorris. "Having adequate supply is considered crucial to ensure the continued health and prosperity of the region. Giving the local community the financial ability to plan for future water use is extremely important."

The 1998 Washington legislature established a framework for watershed planning and provided money to help local groups pay for their efforts. This grant is part of $4.7 million earmarked for watershed planning statewide this year.

The planning unit will decide which issues to address during its watershed planning process. The issues will include water availability and may include water quality as well.

Upper Crab Creek is listed on the federal Environmental Protection Agency's list of impaired water bodies, primarily for pH problems.

"What the group sees as major priorities will be one of the first orders of business," said Tony Grover, who oversees Ecology's eastern regional office. "People who live and work in the watershed are the best judges of that."

Contact: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Manager, 509-456-4464; pager, 509-622-1289

For more information about watershed planning: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/watershed/index.html