[Vision2020] water

[Matt Decker]

Saundra,

This article has some very promising signs of our water usage. Maybe I'm 
just opstimistic about things, but to quote, "The newest readings suggest 
aquifer decline may be slowing". Along with Moscow declining its usage in 
2006 seems like a postive sign to me.

Matt


>From: "Saundra Lund" <sslund at roadrunner.com>
>To: "'Matt Decker'" <mattd2107 at hotmail.com>, <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] water
>Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 19:58:04 -0800
>
>Hi Matt,
>
>You wrote:
>"I hope everyone read tonights daily news article about the water survey. 
>It
>basically stated that the aquifers below us are not as bad as some want us
>to believe. In fact, water use declined 2006."
>
>Interesting . . . my take on the article was a little different than yours.
>I am, however, very pleased that, "Moscow fell within its suggested
>water-usage levels for the first time in 2006, despite seeing consistent
>growth of 1 percent or more over the past several years."
>
>For those who've not seen the article, here it is so y'all can draw your 
>own
>conclusions:
>
>"Palouse water: A look below the surface
>New research on area aquifers provides hope - and baseline for further
>studies
>
>By Ryan Bentley, Daily News staff writer
>Thursday, January 18, 2007 - Page Updated at 11:52:01 AM
>
>The Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee has a better understanding of the
>Moscow-Pullman area's water systems after performing its first official
>studies in four years.
>
>PBAC, a local multi-entity agency charged with finding ways to stabilize 
>the
>area's water supply, recently published a report on its findings.
>
>PBAC Executive Director Steve Robischon presented the new data during a
>Moscow Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday.
>
>The report suggested some good news concerning water use. Robischon said
>Moscow fell within its suggested water-usage levels for the first time in
>2006, despite seeing consistent growth of 1 percent or more over the past
>several years.
>
>Robischon said pumping in the area is under PBAC's self-imposed levels,
>which were set in 1992. Three billion gallons were drawn from the aquifers
>in 2006.
>
>The reports and studies provide a better understanding of well levels
>throughout the Palouse Basin. It also provided data on the depth of the
>aquifers, the northern boundary of the Grande Ronde aquifer, the effects
>pumping has on other wells, sediment layers in potential recharge areas, 
>and
>the addition of four monitoring wells.
>
>One study suggests Moscow and Pullman are located on the edge of the 
>shallow
>and deep aquifer systems and that the aquifers become deeper west of 
>Moscow.
>
>
>Another study shows the deep aquifer, the Grande Ronde, does not go north 
>of
>Kamiak Butte.
>
>In one study, PBAC researchers monitored water levels while Moscow, 
>Pullman,
>Washington State University and the University of Idaho had simultaneously
>stopped pumping.
>
>The results showed that pumping from Pullman and WSU did not cause well
>levels around Moscow to decrease. But when Moscow turned on its pumps, it
>caused a decrease in a well halfway between the cities.
>
>A Latah County study found a potential recharge site northeast of Moscow
>around Paradise Creek and the South Fork of the Palouse River had too much
>clay between the sediment layer and basalt to be an aquifer recharge zone.
>
>Robischon said pump readings haven't been very accurate because pumping in
>or near the wells still occurred when measurements were taken.
>
>
>
>To document better readings, PBAC spent more than $400,000 to drill four 
>new
>test wells at various depths to read water levels without the presence of
>other active wells.
>
>Michael Echanove, mayor of Palouse and chairman of PBAC's Citizens Advisory
>Group, said PBAC has gained momentum in the last year, mainly due to
>Robischon's presence.
>
>"Steve Robischon is a real gem," Echanove said. "He's really been
>instrumental in helping PBAC get moving toward developing a comprehensive
>study of the area."
>
>Echanove is confident that PBAC and the Palouse Basin residents can
>stabilize the aquifer systems and secure a sustained water supply for 
>future
>generations.
>
>Moscow Chamber of Commerce President Mike Nelson was encouraged by PBAC's
>progress and the fact that Moscow finally came within its water-use
>allotment.
>
>Nelson said "coffee-pot rumors" had questioned PBAC's progress over the 
>last
>several years. The new information shows that the organization is making
>headway.
>
>Robischon said the different research findings came together at the same
>time. Historically, most of PBAC's money has been spent on monitoring well
>levels. A general lack of funding has limited the amount of research that
>can be done.
>
>Robischon said PBAC's member municipalities may be willing to increase
>funding now that it has provided some new research data.
>
>Robischon doesn't expect any new studies to be completed in the next year.
>The monitoring of wells north of Moscow could provide more understanding of
>water levels in the area.
>
>QUICKREAD
>
>WHAT HAPPENED: A representative from the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee
>shared the organization's first findings in several years with the Moscow
>Chamber of Commerce.
>
>WHAT IT MEANS: Pumping levels suggest aquifer levels consistently decline.
>New research begins to give clarity to the situation and provides a 
>baseline
>for future research. It also could give direction to area leaders in
>policy-making decisions regarding water usage.
>
>WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: PBAC will continue to monitor well levels to better
>understand the area's aquifer levels and how pumping from certain wells
>affects other wells.
>
>WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: It has been said that water will be to the 21st 
>century
>what oil was to the 20th century. The area's water supply could be affected
>without a clear understanding of the situation.
>
>Ryan Bentley can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 237, or by e-mail at
>rbentley at dnews.com."
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
>On Behalf Of Matt Decker
>Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 7:00 PM
>To: vision2020 at moscow.com
>Subject: [Vision2020] water
>
>All,
>
>I hope everyone read tonights daily news article about the water survey. It
>basically stated that the aquifers below us are not as bad as some want us
>to believe. In fact, water use declined 2006.
>
>Now I am not the expert that Mark Soloman is on this issue, but this sounds
>like good news to me. I still believe we should look into a resevoir for 
>our
>area, not only for usage but for recreation also. Hopefully this will open
>eyes to Moscowoniets, helping them understand that not all growth is bad.
>
>Can't wait for the next one on this
>
>Matt
>
>
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