HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1990-073)M- WHATCOM COUNTY TO:WHATCOM CNTY COUNCIL NOV 7, 1990 11 :42AM #615 F
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL nru. f o 3 r
EARANCU: (Initial
Originator-
D
Divisio Head -
De rt Head- Dan joy1gr. Marini
Pro$ecutor Review
urc in ud a it -
ExacqdVa.
WHATCOM COUNTY
CO1INCIL ---'
SUBJECT' FILE N0. Comprehensive Water and Sealer elan 1990 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING
RECOMMENDATION5 INITIATE THE COORDINATED MATER SYSTEM PLAN PROCESS AS SPECIFIED
IN RCW 70.116 Aro
ATTACHMENTS:. Draft Resolution
Text of RCW 70.116
Public Hearing Needed? Yes / / No / X /
SUMMARY STATEMENT: The Planning Department was directed by the County Council as part of
implementing the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Utility Plan to begin the process of
development of a, Coordinated Water System Plan as described in RCW 70.116. Staff time has
not been available; however, the Whatcom County Public Utility District 1 (PUD) has
determined that they are willing to undertake being lead agency for this process (along with
n overall Nooksack Basin study and-water planning process) at the request of the County.
.Adoption. of this resolution begins the following process:
1) The County Council establishes boundaries and a committee representing all
purveyors with more than 50 customers (water associations, districts, cities, tribes);
2) The Committee reports back within six months and a public hearing is held where
the Council establishes final boundaries.. After this adoption, no new system serving more
than two connections can be established unless an existing purveyor cannot provide service.
(This is what the County requires in reviewing development permits now.)
3) The Committee develops a plan and submits it for review to the Council within two
years. The plan must be consistent with the county's development regulations and policies.
The plan is then approved by the Washington Department of Health (DOH) and is enforced
through their legal powers.
There is no direct impact on development from the two year process, but the plan itself may
require increased conservation and efficiency measures. It will establish boundaries, system
interties, and other provisions as agreed upon by the purveyors. In some areas using this
process agreement was politically difficult, and it took more than two years to prepare a
plan. The DOH in those cases did extend the deadline. If. agreement was never reached
locally, the RCW allows DOH to resolve it. (Please note that the PUD is expected to take
formal action the morning of Nov. 13. Because of the limited time available to seek the
grant funds, the resolution assumes they wi77 choose to proceed. If they choose not to be
lead agency, then this resolution will be withdrawn or request for amendment made.)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the resolution which establishes proposed boundaries, directs that
a grant be sought and an interlocal agreement with the PUD be developed, and directs the
establishment of a Committee in accordance with the RCW.
COMMITTEE ACTION (including dates):
COUNCIL ACTION (including dates):
11-13-90: C uncil passed 7 -0
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number:7� �_�
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INTRODUCED BY:
PROPOSED BY:
DATE:
RESOLUTION NO. 90 -73
Consent
PLANNING
November 6, 1990
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING PROPOSED CRITICAL WATER SUPPLY AREA BOUNDARIES
FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING A COORDINATED WATER SYSTEM PLAN IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RCW 70.116.
WHEREAS, Whatcom County has multiple public and private water purveyors using the
Nooksack River and groundwater resources; and
WHEREAS, these sources are not unlimited and in fact evidence exists that they are
currently near or at their maximum withdrawal rate and during some periods of time are
already overallocated in regard to providing adequate fisheries habitat; and
WHEREAS, current surface water and groundwater uses by agriculture, industry, and
urban areas are necessary for the economic vitality of the unincorporated and
incorporated areas of Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, growth in. population and industry is expected to continue during the next
twenty years; and
WHEREAS, unless coordinated planning by water utilities is accomplished the people of
the county may experience many years of controversy and legal difficulties among the
competing demands for water service; and
WHEREAS, all water purveyors in the county who serve at least 50 connections would be
required under RCW 70.116 to participate in development of a Coordinated Water
System Plan (CWSP) including establishment of service boundaries, interconnections,
conservation measures, and other provisions regarding the efficient provision of water
to meet present and future needs by public and private utilities; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Utility Plan adopted in
January of 1990 contained policies directing the County to submit the Background
Document portion of the plan as the preliminary assessment study showing the need for
a CWSP and to declare a Critical Water Supply Service Area for the western third of
the county; and
WHEREAS, during the adoption process for the Whatcom County Comprehensive Water and
Sewer Utility Plan meetings were held with water associations, districts, and cities
explaining the CWSP and those participating supported the County initiating the
development of a CWSP; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Public Utility District 1 is willing and is capable of serving
as the lead agency for preparing a CWSP; and
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WHEREAS, the Washington Department of Health can authorize grants until the end of
November 1990 for the preparation of a Coordinated Water System Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council as follows:
(1) Whatcom County declares the portion of the county west of national forest
boundaries, excluding Point Roberts, to be the proposed boundaries of the "Critical
Water SUDDly Area" for the Durooses of RCW 70.116.
(2) Whatcom County will seek grant funds from the Washington Department of
Health to develop a Coordinated Water System Plan with.the Whatcom County Public
Utility District-I (PUD) serving as lead agency for this process.
(3) Whatcom County will enter into an interlocal agreement with the PUD
regarding their participation as lead agency and setting forth the most effective
administrative procedures for managing the grant.
(4) Whatcom County directs the.Planning Department in consultation with the
Public Utility District to notify and request representatives from each water purveyor
serving more than fifty customers (the Committee. per RCW 70.116.040) to participate
in recommending to the County Council any modifications to these original critical
water supply area boundaries and to assist with the public hearings necessary on the
proposed boundaries. Other interested parties also will be invited to attend the
Committee by the lead agency.
(5) Whatcom County will hold public hearings and consider the recommendations
of this committee within six months from the date of adoption of this resolution and
will establish final boundaries. After establishment of the final boundaries the
Committee shall participate in the development of a CWSP for the designated area and
will report back to the County Council for review for consistency with adopted land
use and other developmental policies within two years.
PASSED this 13th day of November ,1990.
ATTEST:
Clerk of the Council
APPROVID AS TO FORM: _
�-T
Robert A. Carmichael
Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
TCOM COUNTY H GTON
Donald G. H nse hairperso
( ) APPROVED ( ) VETOED