Water Quantity Management Policies Overview
Explore the proposed new policy directions for water quantity management in Thurston County, including longer planning horizons, water banking concepts, and alternatives for permit-exempt drinking water wells. These policies aim to address changing water futures, improve resiliency, and support diverse interest groups in water resource management. Learn about potential future actions and the overall policy overview to enhance water quantity management strategies.
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Presentation Transcript
OVERVIEW OF WATER QUANTITY MANAGEMENT POLICIES Bryan Benjamin, Associate Planner May 15, 2024 12/1/2022 1
Agenda Today s Work Session BACKGROUND ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INTRODUCE PROPOSED NEW POLICY DIRECTIONS NEXT STEPS QUESTIONS 5/15/2024 2
Background: Comp Plan & Water Resources What does the Comp Plan say about water resources? Watershed Planning, GMA, Hirst Stormwater standards Domestic water availability Natural resource industries CIP & Utilities Natural environment And more! 5/15/2024 3
Proposed Policy Directions Comp Plan policies allow exploration of new instruments that may help prepare for a changing water future in Thurston County: Identify and study alternatives to permit- exempt drinking water wells Consider lengthening planning horizons for water availability Explore a variety of approaches to Water Banking 5/15/2024 4
Policy Direction: Longer Horizons Policy Overview Direction: lengthen water supply and demand horizons to evaluate long-term water needs and availability. Purpose: expands the type of projects and eligibility for funding sources that will help improve resiliency. Potential Future Action Develop appropriate methods and analyses for determining long-term: Population growth Water demand Water supply 5/15/2024 5
Policy Direction: Water banking Potential Future Action Develop clear goals and user groups of a potential water bank Identify potential seed water rights Outline critical path in establishing a bank Identify supportive funding Final direction in creating bank Policy Overview Direction: explore water bank ideas to serve a variety of functions for diverse interest groups in the county. Purpose: allows administration of water rights locally through collaboration in an emergent market for our region. 5/15/2024 6
Policy Direction: Permit-Exempt Wells Policy Overview Direction: explore alternatives to current process for permit-exempt drinking water wells serving rural residential development. Purpose: create new programs, development standards, and funding mechanisms to support Hirst planning. Potential Future Action Develop incentive programs for alternatives to permit-exempt wells Explore development standards for permit-exempt wells where appropriate Define funding mechanisms for offset requirements under Streamflow Restoration Act 5/15/2024 7
Ways to Engage! Visit the Thurston 2045 Webpage http://thurston2045.org/ Sign up for Email Updates https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/SEKnFSp/Thurston2045 Comment on the Project https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RLB63K9 5/15/2024 8
Thank You! Bryan Benjamin, Associate Planner 5/15/2024 9
