Mason County Clean Water Program

Water is the sustenance of life

STATEMENT PRESENTED TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 6/14/11

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Pat Vandehey Mason County Progressive

RE: MASON COUNTY 2011-2012 CLEAN WATER PROGRAM

Some things should be considered regarding our aquifer system before embarking on this very expensive project.

Correct aquifer classifications for different sections of the County need to be clarified (this is particularly important for the Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas [CARA] because they are extremely susceptible to contamination): and we need to know what industries are operating in these very sensitive areas

The United States Geological Study (USGS) being done for the John Basin Area is extremely important. The Phase I portion will be finished by September 2011. This will be invaluable in starting a complete aquifer study. The dispute over the aquifer areas classified as Class I needs to be resolved.

We have seen the work Gordon Adams has done mapping the critical areas. If there is any question about his work, a hydrologist/geologist could look over his information and make an intelligent evaluation of his reports. If we do not know where and what classifications there are, how can we protect and manage our aquifers?

Another pertinent issue is the enforcement of the rules, regulations and ordinances that are already in place. Here are some of the references:

1. WAC 365-190-100 Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas
2. DOE “Status of Active Groundwater Monitoring Programs in Washington State 2002”
3. Mason County resource Ordinance Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas 17.01.080 CARA (as approved by the Board of County Commissioners - December,2006)
4. Comprehensive Plan April 1996 –Updated 2005) Section Land use Section-5 Wetlands and CARA
5. DOE CARA Guidance Document Contact Laurie Morgan, Page 57, Appendix D Example Costs and Consequences of Ground Water Contamination
6. The most egregious pollution offenders must be stopped and the contamination be cleaned up. This should be paid for by the contaminators.

Resolution No. 50-10 to Establish the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Project Lis for 2010-1011: dated July, 2010 was set up to be implemented by the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The total amount was totalled at $250,677,651.00. Some of the projects are:

1. City of Shelton Infiltration and Inflow Control project $25,000,000
2. Olympic Hwy N Major Overlay $1,666,651
3. JP Brownfield Cleanup. $100,000.
4. Wallace Kneeland Blvd. Overlay $1,500,000
5. Fairgrounds Relocation $2,000,000
6. Port of Shelton Renovation of Building 1. $1,600.000
7. Port of Shelton SF Cold Storage facility engineering and construction $2,500,000
8. US 101/Wallace Kneeland Interchange Improvements Project $27,000,000
9. Mason county Hospital District #1 $33,000,000

These are just some of the proposed projects. I don’t understand why some of this money can’t be used for aquifer protection. I believe that providing for aquifer protection should be Priority No.1. Funding by an excise tax; increasing real estate taxes; increasing permitting fees and other licensing costs are not fair to the average citizens who are barely able to keep up financially as it is. Industry needs to step up and pay more of the costs.

Our 24,970 critical aquifer acres are some of our most precious resources. Their protection should be of utmost concern. I would like to know if the public is allowed to be involved in the County Commissioners' deliberations on this matter.

Patricia Vandehey
Shelton, WA

Photo by Christine