Draft 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. 

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.