Ecology denies petition to close water withdrawals from Mason County’s Johns Creek basin

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - June 6, 2008

08-155

Ecology denies petition to close water withdrawals from Mason County’s Johns Creek basin

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has denied the Squaxin Island Tribe’s request to halt all future surface and groundwater withdrawals from the Johns Creek basin near Shelton.

Instead, Ecology announced plans to work with the city and port of Shelton, Mason County and Squaxin Island Tribe in other long-term efforts to address water shortage concerns in the Johns Creek basin.

“We agree with the Tribe’s concerns that unchecked use of exempt wells for single homes and multi-home developments might reduce the amount of water flowing in Johns Creek,” said Ecology regional water resources manager, Tom Loranger. “But we think there are other steps that can and should be taken first before deciding to ban any future water withdrawals from the basin.”

“Exempt” wells can be drilled for domestic use without obtaining a water right. However, state law limits withdrawal to no more than 5,000 gallons per day, and the water can only be used to irrigate lawns and gardens up to one-half acre in size.

Ecology’s letter to the Tribe outlines the process and commitments the agency is willing to undertake to address the Tribe’s underlying concerns. Including:

Working with local government and the Tribe to find funding for a groundwater study of the area;
Signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Mason County to reinforce the county’s preliminary water conservation approaches, such as low-impact development standards, water conservation and in-house use for future residential housing;
Clarifying to the county the state’s role and position in making water availability determinations;
When a regional water supply extends to the Johns Creek area, looking to increase flows in Johns Creek.

This is the second time in a year Ecology has been asked to place a moratorium on new groundwater wells. Water right holders in Kittitas County filed a petition last September, expressing concerns that rapid rural development depending on exempt wells could impair senior water rights and affect flows in the Kittitas and Yakima valleys.

Ecology denied that petition but signed an agreement with Kittitas County in April 2008 to guide decision making on residential developments relying upon exempt wells.

###
Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239

For more information about the Kittitas agreement: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cro/kittitas_wp.html