Small Town News

Comment period closes for Grays-Elochoman, Cowlitz draft water rules

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Last Tuesday marked the end of a four-month comment period on draft water management rules for two river basins in southwest Washington. The closure of the comment period came on the heel of recent news that the Washington Department of Ecology(Ecology) will let the current rulemaking window expire for the Grays-Elochoman and Cowlitz watersheds (WRIA25 and 26) without adopting either rule.

Tom Loranger, Ecology's regional manager for water resources, said: "We received a lot of feedback on these rule drafts and want to assure the publicthat wehearthem. Everyone's comments submitted will be carried forward and answered in future rulemaking in these watersheds."

Ecology anticipates new rulemaking could begin again in mid 2011, and will notify the public in advance.

In April 2010, Ecology introduced draft water management rules for WRIAs 25 and 26. The rules were designed to protect flows in streams and tributaries in both basins, while setting aside specific amounts of water for future growth.

Significant investments in salmon habitat restoration have been made in these basins, and low flows in summer months threaten fish runs. Studies also indicate a connection between underground water and flows in streams and rivers. Managing the amount of underground water that's used in the future becomes an important consideration.

The proposed rules were based on recommendations from the local watershed planning group. Its plan was approved in 2006 by county commissioners in Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties.

State law requires Ecology to implement local watershed plans through rulemaking. However, some in the public strongly objected to sections of the proposed rules. Ecology agreed to slow rulemaking until the local watershed planning unit could thoroughly review its plan and update recommendations.

Ecology announced in July it would remove language about its legal authority to metering private wells because the language had been widely misinterpreted. The watershed plan does not call for metering.



Copyright 2010 The Wahkiakum County Eagle, Cathlamet, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 The Wahkiakum County Eagle Cathlamet, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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