By Rob Ollikainen Peninsula Daily News
July 3, 2012
PORT ANGELES — After a week of deliberation, the three Clallam County commissioners reached consensus Tuesday on a letter addressing the state Department of Ecology’s proposed water management rule for the Dungeness Valley. The revised three-page letter raises eight concerns the county has about the state-initiated rule that would set minimum flows in the river, create a water exchange and require the owner of new wells to mitigate his or her use of water by purchasing credits. The controversial rule would affect the eastern half of Water Resource Inventory Area 18 from Bagley Creek to Sequim Bay. Concerns raised by the county include the requirement for meters on new wells, protection from liability and the need for a periodic performance assessment of the rule. The letter — which commissioners approved by a 3-0 vote Tuesday — is available at www.clallam.net. Commissioner Jim McEntire, the board liaison for Water Resource Inventory Area 18 issues, led the effort to formulate comments that reflect the interests of his fellow board members, county staff and the public. READ MORE >>>http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20120704/news/307049990/clallam-county-approves-letter-to-ecology-on-dungeness-water-rule