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Meetings & Hearings

Draft boundaries for the Pasco Basin groundwater subarea

Public Meeting

Dec. 4, 2024, 6 p.m., Online only

Ecology invites join to meeting and submit public comment on the proposed boundaries for the Pasco Basin groundwater subarea.

The Pasco Basin Subarea Boundary draft order is available for a 30-day review and comment period. See our webpage for more information

NOTE: The meeting link will be added below before the meeting date.

A subsequent 30-day appeal period will be available following issuance of the Final Order.  

Background

Defining the boundaries are part of the new process to develop a permanent groundwater management framework for the Pasco Basin. A new groundwater rule will increase the amount of water in the basin that can be lawfully allocated and resolve legal and regulatory questions over how that water can be used. 

In 2021, the Washington Legislature revised Ecology’s authority to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to develop a groundwater co-management strategy and allocate groundwater that exists because of the Columbia Basin Project. The first step in the development of the co-management program is defining the boundaries of the Pasco Basin subarea, where groundwater will be managed. 

The subarea is located within the southern third of Grant County, the western half of Franklin County, and the western third of Adams County. The proposed boundaries are consistent with the current boundary of the Pasco Basin subarea previously established by chapter 508-14 WAC with subsequent modifications. A map of the subarea is included with project documents on the website provided below. 

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Time

Dec. 4, 2024, 6 p.m.

   
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Questions

Karl Rains
Ecology, Eastern Region
karl.rains@ecy.wa.gov
509-828-7934
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Comment period

Draft boundaries for the Pasco Basin groundwater subarea — Public comment period
Closes: Dec. 10, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
See details

State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) documentation for Pasco Basin Boundary Designation — Public Comment: Pasco Boundary Designation SEPA documentation
Closes: Dec. 10, 2024, 11:59 a.m.
See details

To request ADA accommodation, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831, 711 (relay service), or 877-833-6341 (TTY). More about our accessibility services.