HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Resources May 14 1991WHATCOM COUNTY
WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE
MAY 14, 1991
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 2nd floor, 1000 N.
Forest, by Chairperson Don Hansey.
Also present
Emily Jackson
Bob Imhof
Absent
none
REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY ON LAKE SAMISH
DOMESTIC WATER RIGHTS (GARY HANSON, D.O.E., WILL BE
PRESENT) (AB91 -133)
Gary Hanson, D.O.E. Water Resources Program, gave a brief overview on the
background of Lake Samish. He stated that the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife has
been asking the D.O.E. to stop issuing water rights out of Lake Samish for years because
of flow problems with Friday Creek. Friday Creek dries up at times in the Summer, and
any water taken out of Lake Samish is water that is not available to flow into the Creek.
In April, 1989, it was agreed upon that the D.O.E. would issue all pending applications
received by their office on or before April of that year, and would hold all applications
received after that date until both hydraulic and biological studies could be done. Upon
completion of these studies, the D.O.E. met with citizens of the Lake Samish area and
informed them that in order to issue any more water rights out of the Lake, the flow of
Friday Creek would have to be augmented. It was asked at that meeting that the citizens
of Lake Samish band together and, by June 1, 1991, develop some options on what they
want to do and how they want to do it. The D.O.E. told the citizens that if the flows of
Friday Creek are not augmented and some sort of plan developed, they will be forced to
deny all applications received after April, 1989.
There are approximately 175 applicants waiting to find out if augmentation will allow
them water rights.
Water Resources Committee Minutes, 5 -14 -1991, page 1
2. RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION TO MOTION MADE AT 4/9
MEETING: "...TO BRING FORWARD AN INTERIM REGULATION TO
IMPLEMENT SECTION 63 (AS APPLIES TO "ADEQUATE POTABLE
WATER SUPPLY') OF HOUSE BILL 2929 TO THE HEALTH BOARD
FOR PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLEMENTATIONS TO INCLUDE SOME
CLARITY ON THE APPEAL PROCESS, WITHIN TWO WEEKS."
(AB91 -127)
Dr. James, Sue Blake, and Ann Atkeson, Whatcom County Health Department,
presented a proposed draft amendment to Title 24, to adopt permanent regulations on this
water issue.
It was pointed out by the Water Resources Committee that the information brought
forward to this meeting by the Health Department was very informative. However, it was
not what the Committee had asked for.
The Committee is asking for an "interim regulation ", which it plans to recommend
to the full Council, in its capacity as Health Board, as a resolution. This would include
provisions for determining that an applicant has an "adequate potable water supply" if the
water were treated and the quality brought up to minimal state standards.
Haney recommended that this item be continued to the May 28, 1991 Water
Resources Committee Meeting. For that meeting, Hansey suggests that the Health
Department prepare some recommendations on an "interim policy ".
3. OTHER BUSINESS
No other business.
The meeting was adjourned.
ATTEST
Dana Bro avis, Assistant Clerk
WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Water Resources Committee Minutes, 5 -14 -1991, page 2
;r