Forum on GWMA, water provides discussion for commissioners

A public forum to discuss the draft resolution about the proposed creation of an aquifer protection area brought community members and representatives in front of the county commissioners on Monday, July 30.

The draft resolution is to create the Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area (GWMA) Aquifer Protection Area and charge taxpayers an annual fee based on water usage or ownership of production wells. The proposed fee is $5 per parcel/household, with additional fees based on the diameter of the production wells, and could be in effect for up to 10 years.

The fees collected would help fun...