[Vision2020] aquifer protection update

Sat, 13 Dec 2003 20:13:05 -0800

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Hi Matt,

I agree with you completely regarding the negative effects of such a
moratorium. The State has been brought into the picture because a
several small groups have filed the petition with the IDWR. I must admit
that I don't have a copy of the petition as I left all my reference
materials at the office but the quote from the petition as supplied by
Mr. London:

"Impose a moratorium on the processing and approval of all pending and
new applications for permits to appropriate water from the Grande Ronde,
Wanapum and shallow/alluvial aquifers within or tributary to the Moscow
groundwater subbasin, pending adoption and implementation of a plan to
stabilize groundwater levels and provide for a sustainable water supply
for area residents."

As far as I remember there is no request for an IDWR study to determine
the cause for the aquifer drop (although there is a study on-going at
WSU). The above quote assumes that we understand the cause for the drop
in the Grand Ronde aquifer level. However, in 1930 we were pumping 500
million gallons per year and the aquifer was dropping at the same rate
it is now (as we are pumping 2,500 million gallons per year).

In addition, my understanding is that - for the IDWR to enforce such a
mandate - they must first declare this area a "Critical Groundwater
Area". This gives the IDWR the ability to not only put a moratorium on
pending or future water permits, they can also require a reduction in
water usage for next year.

Bill Strand

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<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Hi =
Matt,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=

I agree with you completely =
regarding the negative
effects of such a moratorium. The State has been brought into the =
picture
because a several small groups have filed the petition with the IDWR. I =
must
admit that I don&#8217;t have a copy of the petition as I left all my =
reference
materials at the office but the quote from the petition as supplied by =
Mr.
London:<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&#8220;Impose a moratorium on the processing and approval of all
pending and new applications for permits to appropriate water from the =
Grande <span
class=3DSpellE>Ronde</span>, <span class=3DSpellE>Wanapum</span> and
shallow/alluvial aquifers within or tributary to the =
</span></font><st1:City><st1:place>Moscow</st1:place></st1:City>
groundwater <span class=3DSpellE>subbasin</span>, pending adoption and
implementation of a plan to stabilize groundwater levels and provide for =
a
sustainable water supply for area residents.&#8221;<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

As far as I remember there is no request for an IDWR study to =
determine
the cause for the aquifer drop (although there is a study on-going at =
WSU). The
above quote assumes that we understand the cause for the drop in the =
Grand Ronde aquifer level. However, in 1930 we were =
pumping 500
million gallons per year and the aquifer was dropping at the same rate =
it is
now (as we are pumping 2,500 million gallons per =
year).<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

In addition, my =
understanding
is that &#8211; for the IDWR to enforce such a mandate - they must first
declare this area a &#8220;Critical Groundwater Area&#8221;. This gives =
the
IDWR the ability to not only put a moratorium on pending or future water
permits, they can also require a reduction in water usage for next =
year.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>=

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Bill =
Strand<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

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