Under the umbrella title of “Finding Solutions to Rural Water Conflicts,” the Department of Ecology is forming a workgroup to search for solutions to the state of Washington’s water allocation and management framework. Its goal is to ensure reliable future water supplies for new consumptive uses while also protecting instream flows. Ecology acknowledges that the Supreme Court ruling in Swinomish v. Ecology increases this challenge. Regarding the nature of potential solutions, Ecology’s Water Resources Policy Director, Dave Christensen, stated that “everything is on the table.” The first of several workgroup meetings for this effort is scheduled for Monday, June 16th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Ecology Auditorium at its headquarters in Lacey. More information about the meetings and background materials can be obtained on Ecology’s website at this link.
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