YakimaHerald.com
July 29th, 2009
by David Lester
Central Washington lawmakers are stepping further into the fray over a well-drilling ban in upper Kittitas County.
While blasting the state Department of Ecology for its actions and motives, the legislators say they intend to do something.
Just what that something is specifically they aren’t saying so as not to further complicate talks between county commissioners and Ecology officials.
Some hopeful signs appeared today. Commissioners and the agency said each is hopeful the issue can be resolved.
Ecology imposed a ban July 16 on all new water withdrawals from exempt wells after failing to reach agreement with the county on a plan to manage future new wells. That 120-day moratorium has effectively brought construction to a halt in upper Kittitas County.
Exempt wells do not require a state permit.
Seven lawmakers from the 13th, 14th and 15th districts issued a statement late Tuesday after a private meeting with upper Kittitas County builders and real estate agents.
The group included 13th District lawmakers Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle-Elum, Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and state Sen. Janéa Holmquist, R-Moses Lake; 14th District legislators Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches, and Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima; and 15th District Reps. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, and David Taylor, R-Moxee.
While their plans are under wraps, their opinions are not.
Hinkle was quoted in the release as saying the ban has pulled the plug on peoples’ dreams.
“This issue isn’t simply another anti-development decision being made by the Department of Ecology. Nor is this a battle between an agency and a county,” Hinkle said. “This decision is about an agency stripping away the dreams of hardworking citizens.”
Holmquist said the ban is bankrupting the building industry and devastating small business.
Chandler said the agency is overreaching, and Ross said the ban is scaring away employers and residents of the area.
Contacted later, Hinkle said the lawmakers may propose a broader, statewide look at groundwater, or request the governor take another look at the issue.
Gov. Chris Gregoire did ask Ecology to modify the ban to allow those with building permits or applications in process to be allowed to use a new well.
A change in the language of the ban to recognize the change could be in effect by Friday.
Hinkle said Ecology has lost touch with reality.
“If you hit oil or gas, you are a rich man. But if you hit water in the upper county, you can’t use it.”
