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Department of Ecology News Release - Dec. 10, 2003
03-235
OLYMPIA - The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) has approved water rights that will help support business growth and new neighborhoods in three Western Washington communities.
Ecology approved water rights for an Aberdeen cranberry processor, a Mason County utility serving homes and businesses near Union, and for a real estate development near Roy in Pierce County.
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. received a new, year-round right to tap an additional 500 gallons per minute beyond its existing limit of 200 gallons per minute. Ocean Spray needed more water for processing berries, making cranberry sauce and juice, and keeping equipment clean.
The approval arrived in time to help the company meet its demands for the next growing season.
Mason County Public Utility District received two new water rights that together will allow 683 new water hook-ups in the Union area. As a condition of the approval, the utility must monitor and report underground water levels and test for contamination from sea water.
Ecology also approved a request from the developer of Lacamas Valley Ranches near Roy to change an existing water right from agricultural to drinking-water use. This approval allows for 124 new water hookups.
"We thank Pierce County and the developer for Lacamas Valley Ranches for working with the state to get this water right squared away before the land was developed. This is definitely the right way to go," said Tom Loranger, a water-resource manager for Ecology.
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Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, 360-407-6239
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
