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June 28, 2004

SKAGIT COUNTY TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS RURAL WATER RIGHTS AND SKAGIT RIVER INSTREAM FLOW RULE

Ruling could stop exempt wells on more than 9,000 rural parcels in Skagit County

SKAGIT COUNTY – The Skagit County Commissioners will hold an informational public meeting to discuss the Skagit River Instream Flow Rule established by the Washington State Department of Ecology pertaining to rural water rights. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 7, 2004, 7:00 p.m. at the Skagit Valley College Cafeteria in Mount Vernon. “The lack of an exempt well provision in the Instream Flow Rule could prevent development on as many as 9,000 rural parcels of land in Skagit County,” said Skagit County Commissioner Ted Anderson.

The “Instream Flow” Rule was developed pursuant to the 1996 agreement between Skagit County, the Washington Department of Ecology, Skagit PUD #1, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the City of Anacortes and the Sauk Suiattle, Swinomish, and Upper Skagit Indian tribes. The agreement formalized water rights for the City of Anacortes and the Skagit PUD #1, and outlined a process for developing an instream flow rule for the Skagit River at a later date. The 1996 agreement stipulated that Skagit County explicitly reserves the right to allow exempt wells for single family residences in rural portions of the Upper Skagit River basin.

“This is a critical issue for thousands of rural property owners,” said Anderson.

The Skagit County Public Works department is planning for seating for 300 people with additional standing room. For more information, contact Skagit County Public Works at 336-9400.

For further information, contact: Dan Berentson
Communications Director
419-3461
770-1881 cell.