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Seawater Intrusion Amendment in Sole Source Aquifers

The Growth Management Act requires that cities and counties designate and protect critical areas, including aquifer recharge areas, using best available science. This petition would require county review prior to drilling a well in a sole source aquifer (SSA) area with documented seawater intrusion. Guemes Island is the only area which is currently designated a sole source aquifer (SSA) in Skagit County and has documented issues of seawater intrusion.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is who designates sole source aquifers (SSA).  The petition will add language to SCC 14.24.380(2) to require the following information listed in SCC 14.24.380(2)(a) to be submitted to the Department prior to drilling any new well in a sole source aquifer:

• A site plan, including:
• A dedicated inland well site location;
• Estimated depth of proposed well;
• An estimated land elevation of the well, except that if the well is within 250 feet of the shoreline, or if determined a hydrogeologist engaged or employed by the County, the elevation of the well must be surveyed by a licensed surveyor; and
• Depth and chloride levels of surrounding wells;
• A drilling plan; and
• Payment of applicable fees

Relevant Documents

• An Ordinance Adopting the Guemes Island Seawater Intrusion Amendments (7/23/2024)
• Planning Commission Deliberations – Guemes Island Seawater Intrusion Amendment (6/11/2024) | Transcript
  • Planning Commission Seawater Intrusion Recommendation and Recorded Motion
  • Supplemental Staff Report: Seawater Intrusion Amendment (June 4, includes public comment summary and supplemental information)
  • Attachment 1 - Staff Memorandum: Seawater Intrusion Amendment (April 16th)
  • Attachment 2 – Complied Seawater Intrusion Public Comments
  • Attachment 3 – Guemes Island Seawater Intrusion Amendment
  • Seawater Intrusion Proposed Amendment
  • Seawater Intrusion Deliberations PowerPoint Slide Deck
  • Growth Management Hearings Board Case: Olympic Environmental Council v. Jefferson County
• Planning Commisision Public Hearing Guemes Seawater Intrusion Amendment Transcript (5/28/2024)
• Notice of Availability (5/2/2024)
• Staff Memorandum: Seawater Intrusion Amendment
• Seawater Intrusion Proposed Amendment
• Seawater Intrusion PowerPoint