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Department of Ecology News Release - July 23, 2008
08-200
YAKIMA – To make sure irrigation water is used fairly and legally, the Washington Department of Ecology has assigned a new watermaster to work in the Columbia River Basin.
Columbia River watermaster Tom Perkow is based in Ecology’s new field office at 303 Mission St. in Wenatchee. Watermasters investigate possible unauthorized use of water to ensure water supplies are shared fairly and to help achieve water compliance.
“Formal enforcement will be a small part of Tom’s work,” said Derek Sandison, Central Region director for Ecology in Yakima. “Much of his time will be spent trying to match water rights to water use and help irrigators come into compliance.”
Working in cooperation with the Washington State Farm Bureau, Ecology is hosting several open houses where people can learn more about the role and duties of the watermaster. During the open houses, Perkow will share a presentation on his duties, which will be followed by an open discussion with those in attendance.
Open houses are slated for 4 to 6 p.m. on the following dates:
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 -- Lake Roosevelt High School gymnasium, 500 Civic Way, Coulee Dam
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008 -- West Richland Library, 3803 W. Van Giesen, West Richland
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 -- North Central Regional Library, 16 N. Columbia St., Wenatchee.
More information is available online at:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/comp_enforce/comp_enfor.html .
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0811024.pdf
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Media Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, 509-575-2610; jred461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
