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Department of Ecology News Release - March 16, 2009
09-063
YAKIMA – State and county officials continue to work to iron out differences on how underground water sources will be managed in upper Kittitas County.
Since last year, officials have wrestled with how to manage the proliferation of permit-exempt wells being drilled to supply water to residential developments in the upper Kittitas Valley.
Rulemaking provides an opportunity to establish guidelines for making water resource decisions on proposed land divisions until more is known about the impact groundwater pumping has on senior water-right users and streamflows.
On March 3, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) entered into a 60-day dispute resolution period with Kittitas County after officials testified against a proposed groundwater management rule for the upper Kittitas Valley. The parties will meet next on March 26.
While negotiations continue, a third emergency or “temporary” rule has been put in place that incorporates many recommendations made during the February comment period on a permanent rule.
“Our goal is to reduce the potential for conflicts among all water users,” said Tom Tebb, central regional director for Ecology. “Water shortages routinely result in restrictions and even shut-offs in the Yakima basin. We must take measured steps now so we don’t jeopardize water supplies for senior water users, stream flows, and those future homeowners.”
Ecology is working to establish a water bank to make water supplies legally available for new development. At the same time, a ground water study is being launched to better understand the relationship between groundwater and surface water in the upper Kittitas Valley.
“While the study is ongoing, both the emergency rule and the proposed final rule rely on the county to gather relevant information about what impacts well drilling might have,” Tebb explained. “If a proposed development’s water use interferes with a senior water right, proponents could participate in the water banking program or obtain a suitable water right to offset groundwater pumping.”
If negotiations fail with Kittitas County, Ecology will consider other approaches to protect senior water right holders and stream flows, including closure of the upper Kittitas basin to new, unmitigated water uses.
Last year, Ecology and Kittitas County entered into a “memorandum of agreement” (MOA) that calls for a study defining the hydrogeology of upper Kittitas County. The study will provide information about water availability and the relationship between surface and underground water. Information gathered from the study will be used to develop long-term water management strategies.
The new emergency rule may be appealed under procedures described in the Administrative Procedure Act (RCW 34.05.330). For additional information about appealing this adoption please contact Jerry Thielen, Ecology’s Regulatory Affairs Manager at (360) 407-7551 or by email jthi461@ecy.wa.gov .
More information is available online at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cro/kittitas_wp.html .
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Contacts:
Joye Redfield-Wilder, media relations, (509) 575-2610; jred461@ecy.wa.gov
Tom Tebb, Central Regional Director, (509) 574-3989; gteb461@ecy.wa.gov
Dan Partridge, media relations, (360) 407-7139; dpar461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
