HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2000-052WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2000 - 411
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Ong. Dept.: County Council
11/30/2000
12/12/2000
Natural Resources
Division Head:
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Budget:
Executive:
SUBJECT:
Resolution to state legislature regarding exempt wells
ATTACHMENTS
SUMMARYSTATEMENT.
Related County Contact #: Should the Clerk schedule a M1eadn99 (YM Requested Dale-
Resolution to state legislature regarding exempt wells
RECOMMENDED MOTION ((or final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN:
12/12/2000: Amended and approved 5 -2, Dawson, Crawford opposed, Res. #2000 -052
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
R2000 -52
exempt ellsres Proposed by: McShane
Sponsored by: Consent
Introduction Date: 12/12/2000
RESOLUTION NO. 2000 -052
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE STATE LEGISLATURE CHANGING
THE CRITERIA FOR THE USE OF EXEMPT WELLS.
WHEREAS, a priority of the Whatcom County Council is to protect the
customary water use of existing residences, farms, businesses and industries
that are relying on the continued availability of water; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council maintains as a high priority
the protection of water quality and quantity, and associated features like
watersheds and aquifers; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council has policies in place to
protect and enhance surface water and groundwater quality and quantity for
current and future generations; and
WHEREAS, the National Marine Fisheries Service has listed chinook
salmon and bull trout as threatened species under the Endangered Species
Act; and
WHEREAS, Extinction is not an Ootion: Statewide Strategy to Recover
Salmon plan states that" .... Many fish stocks are in decline due in part to lack
of adequate flows for fish... "; and
WHEREAS, The State Department of Ecology has established minimum
instream flows for certain creeks and rivers in Whatcom County and closed
some of these creeks and rivers from further consumptive uses (see WAC
173 - 501 -030); and
WHEREAS, the use of exempt wells per RCW 90.44.050 may pose a
threat to local water resources and endangered species recovery; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council supports protecting the use
of exempt wells for private well owners;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council
that the Whatcom County Council supports efforts by the Washington State
Legislation to allow local Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) planning to
control the use of multiple exempt wells in areas identified within the WRIA
as not having sufficient water to meet the needs of residences, farms,
businesses, industries and fish recovery efforts.
APPROVED this 12 day of December , 2000.
A PROVED CAST FORM:
Civil OWputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUN WASHINGTON
Marlene Dawson, Council Chair