State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) documentation for Pasco Basin Boundary Designation

To review and comment on the SEPA documentation – access SEPA # 202404934 on the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Register.  Please include “Pasco Basin subarea Boundary Designation” in the Subject Line of any emailed comments.

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 above.