October 26, 2005

Port Townsend, WA - County officials are hoping to put the brakes on proposed state regulation of water use in East Jefferson County by calling for more research on how the use of groundwater affects salmon streams.

In a policy statement approved Monday, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners called for better communications between the state Department of Ecology and a county group charged with developing recommendations to ensure there is enough water in local streams to preserve salmon runs.

Commissioner Pat Rodgers said he's frustrated with DOE for moving ahead with proposed water-use restrictions without what he considers conclusive supporting information.

"It's outrageous in my mind that we would abdicate the absolute rights of individuals on a hunch," he said. "we're hoping the DOE will do things that are necessary to determine what the facts are. Then we can come to a reasonable conclusion."

Robert Greenway, co-owner of Corona Farm in Port Townsend, praised the commissioners for taking action.

"I'm a passionate supporter of salmon and salmon streams," he said, "But we're worried that we would be controlled right out of business."

Ecology spokesman Curt Hart said DOE officials want to work with local residents and officials to figure out where to set in-stream flow levels.

"Can we make everybody happy? Probably not," he said. "But we can work with a broad cross-section of people to come up with the best possible solutions."