CALCULATING MITIGATION FOR CABIN OWNERS: Ecology is only selling mitigation for how much water is being used, not for what the court claim authorizes.
- Seasonal Primitive Cabin Use – 0.001 afy (consumptive use)
- Many recreational cabins have limited indoor plumbing and use nearby surface water to periodically fill a small storage tank. Water is then gravity fed to wash basin and/or toilet. Seasonal water use is very limited, not exceeding 1,000 gallons per year (total). Assuming 30 percent of total use is consumptive, a purchase of 0.001 afy would be required.
- Seasonal Use Only (up to 105 days a year) – 0.01 afy (consumptive use):
- Ecology has determined (2006 Report to the Legislature, Potential Water Solution for Domestic Surface Water Users, Yakima Basin Camps & Cabin Owners) that on average, seasonal recreational cabin no not exceed approximately 100 gallons per day (gpd) or 0.03 afy (total). Assuming 30 percent of total use is consumptive, a purchase of 0.01 afy would be required. •
- Part Time Year-Round Use – 0.02 afy (consumptive use)
- Using similar logic, part time year-round use of up to a maximum of 210 days a year (at 100 gpd) would require purchase of 0.02 afy.
- Full Time Use – 0.06 afy (consumptive use)
- Ecology’s 2006 report also determined that full time/permanent residence with no irrigation uses up to 200 gpd (total use). This is approximately (rounding down) equal to 0.06 afy consumptive use.
- The cost of the water is based on what Ecology spent to buy and transfer the water right through cost reimbursement. $3643 per ac-ft.
- The storage fee is based on $22 per ac-ft multiplied by the years left in the storage contract.
- Other fees include:
- $350 contract fee
- $500 per Report of Examination (if required).
