Well closure likely for slice of county northeast of Stanwood

A yellow caution light is flashing for building permits northeast of Stanwood.

The right for property owners to drill new wells within a 3.6-square mile portion of Snohomish County — north of 310th Street NE between Lake Ketchum and 12th Avenue NW — may have dried up.

In December, the state’s Department of Ecology (DOE) informed permit providing government agencies in Snohomish and Skagit counties that the Carpenter-Fisher Creek sub-basin “appears to be at or close to full allocation.”

The sub-basin is one of 25 water reservoirs within the Skagit River basin. As part of the larger basin, Carpenter- Fisher Creek is subject to the Skagit Instream Flow Rule “for the purpose of preserving fish habitat and protecting instream resources.”

Under the rule, withdrawals from the sub-basin are debited against calculated allocations.

The allotment established for the Carpenter-Fisher subbasin is 11,633 gallons per day, said Jacque Klug, watershed coordinator for DOE.

“Any new wells are accounted for each year,” she said. “Reports from the end of 2009 indicate the sub-basin is close to its limit.”

As a result, DOE recommended both counties cease issuing building permits or land subdivisions until a complete investigation is complete.

Larry Altose, spokesman for DOE, said the warning was issued to save individuals from moving forward with costly plans and expenditures related to the permit process.

“We want people to be aware before we officially shift to the red light,” said Altose.

Once DOE determines the reserved water in a sub-basin is fully accounted for, the area is closed to new unmitigated water uses.

For Lake Goodwin resident Merle Ash, rural land owner and land use advisor, a pending moratorium on new wells is reason for concern.

“Regulations restricting the use of land diminish its value,” said Ash. “Without water, land values will plummet.”

Ash’s concern isn’t limited to the Carpenter- Fisher Creek sub-basin. He feels regulations for the Stillaguamish River basin won’t be far behind.

In discussions with Washington’s Groundwater Association and local government officials, “most have painted a very bleak picture for the future of private wells,” said Ash.A

ccording to Altose, the scenario for the Carpenter Fisher Creek subbasin is unique.

“No other reserves are in this position,” he said.

Larger than expected growth in Skagit County in 2006 occurred after the instream flow rule was adopted in 2001.

For now, Ash is focused on informing rural landowners throughout the region. He fears limited access to water will hurt permit-exempt wells for livestock and farming purposes, as well as individuals looking to drill for new housing.

The DOE is waiting to compare data from a pending U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) investigation of the ground and surface water in the lower Skagit region, including the Carpenter Fisher Creek subbasin, with the current water management framework.

If DOE deems a closure of the sub-basin necessary, public meetings will be scheduled this summer to inform property owners about mitigation options.

For people seeking to drill new wells, DOE suggests public water systems. If a public water supply is not feasible due to cost or geography, DOE will accept mitigation plans.

However, the costs to develop plans could be exorbitant, making it difficult for individuals to build on their property.

Conclusion of the USGS report was slated for February.

“They’re a few months behind, said Altose. “We are expecting the results by the end of May.”

No current permit applications are on file from the affected area in Snohomish County, said Klug.

The Snohomish Health District, the agency in charge of monitoring and evaluating wells in the county, is watching and waiting.

Although current development activity in area is low, the wait does put people in a precarious position, said Kevin Plemel, environmental-health manager for the district.

“We don’t have an absolute, clear answer,” he said. “I hope the new study adds real science.”

For more information about the Carpenter-Fisher Creek sub-basin, visit www.ecy.wa.gov.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.com.