Department of Ecology News Release - Aug. 7, 2001
OLYMPIA - Following is the Department of Ecology's (Ecology) weekly report about the status of drought conditions in Washington, assistance being provided by state agencies, and what citizens can do to conserve and share water.
Milder temperatures are being enjoyed in many parts of the state so far this month, but that does not mean the drought has dried up.
"Some folks are questioning whether the drought has gone away," said Doug McChesney, who coordinates Ecology's drought response. "I may sound like a broken record, but the simple answer is no. The drought hasn't gone away and won't be going away this summer, barring rainfall of epic proportions. In fact, we have a couple of months ahead of us when it could even get worse for some people."
While temperatures have been cooler than normal this summer, there hasn't been much rainfall.
But the primary reason Washington is experiencing the second-worst drought on record is because last winter was very mild. There was far less snow than usual, which left little water to melt and run off into the state's reservoirs, lakes, rivers and aquifers throughout the spring and summer.
Ecology recently signed contracts with 18 farmers who have agreed to lease their water rights to keep water in streams to help fish survive this year's drought. The farmers -- located in Clallam, Columbia and Okanogan counties -- will stop irrigating their pastures and crops for the next couple of months.
Depending on the amount of water and where the water is diverted from, Ecology will pay the farmers between $2,800 to $23,000.
In July, Ecology signed leases with two farmers in Kittitas County. The 20 leases total $302,000.
Water flows are below normal in the streams where the farmers typically get their water - Dungeness, Touchet and Yakima rivers, and Spring and Libby creeks.
Ecology staff reviewed information about water typically used at the farms.
"We worked with scientists from the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify streams where fish would benefit the most from water leases, and to determine when it would do the most good to have the extra water in the streams," said McChesney.
Approximately $11 million is available to help public water systems, agriculture, and fish habitat through the drought. In addition to these leases, about $1 million has been committed to help agriculture and fish habitat in the Columbia River and another $1 million to help farmers in the Yakima basin.
Since March 14, when Ecology declared a drought emergency, farmers and municipalities in Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Stevens, Walla Walla and Yakima counties have applied for 66 temporary emergency water permits and 124 temporary emergency changes to existing water rights to help maintain their water supplies.
Ecology has approved 52 applications and denied four applications for emergency water permits since the drought emergency was declared. The department also has approved 106 applications and denied three applications to change existing water rights.
Cut down on grass. It takes four times as much water as other plants. Plant shrubs or ground cover or put in rock gardens.
When watering lawns, ensure water soaks to the roots to maintain healthy grass and less frequent needs to water.
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