March 5, 2005

Chehalis Basin Partnership
Hand Delivered - March, 2005 Meeting

The CBP is attempting to draft an implementation plan for the WMP that has been adopted. The Partnership does not seem to be considering that the water quantity issue is of broad importance to the economic and livability of the upper Chehalis, mainly in Lewis County. New water rights have not been issued for many years, apparently dating back to 1 976. Yet growth has continued using exempt wells, existing rights and a few sales of existing rights for other purposes. Except for Chehalis, cities have less capacity for new connections than they need, especially Napavine. In the meantime, Cardinal Glass may be stopped, for better or worse, for lack of water or Winlock may run out years earlier than expected. The probable needs of people are not being considered yet demand is building, slowly but inexorably.

The adopted WMP starts off Section IV with water quantity issues. Not one concerns the issue of adjudication which is one of the reasons J. Roach filed a dissent to the Plan. Yet determination of existing rights is a critical fact. Under current law, rights are forfeit if unused for a 5 year period. The decline in agriculture over the past few years may well have extinguished many rights but absent a formal adjudication or at least a solid study, the issue of claims on water may not be quantified. Some concrete steps must be taken to fill this critical gap in information. Recommendation 1 2 calls for a detailed assessment of water claims to get an initial idea of their validity. Excellent idea but no funding request or other action has been taken. Yet results from such a study would likely take considerable time so that work should have already begun, The very large rights of Trans Alta should be studied and adjudication begun if only on this one item,

An attempt must also be made to broadly quantify how much water is being used without the user having a water right. Yet results from such a study would likely take considerable time so that work should have already begun.

The WMP, recommendation 2, also calls for a groundwater study to address hydraulic continuity. A vital matter. Yet nothing is scheduled to happen despite the long lead time this may take for any report.

The CBP is turning into a debating society concerned with process rather than

results, exactly as J, Roach said in his dissent. Unfortunately, Lewis County is not helping drive a less process oriented approach but simply sits by and lets time pass. This letter is intended to spark a review and reevaluation of what must be accomplished. While Lewis County will likely not be able encourage industries that use process water, the amount of water available for growth must be studied in depth and future growth planned accordingly. Then the County must stick to it until the facts warrant a change.

I realize funds are short but as long as the group continues to meet, the strategic process should still continue, The search for funds to get long time line efforts underway should continue. There is some urgency for Lewis County because the absence of water allocations will soon prove costly. Hopefully, the County will find a few dollars or can raise the sum in donations to help out, If efforts are directed toward making more water available for people - not just fish - they should be successful. Hopefully, the partnership will gain the interest of someone skilled in fund-raising.

Sincerely,

John Mudge

This page created and maintained by Chehalis River Council
Send comments or questions to the: Chehalis River Council

Search this Chehalis River Council site!