County opposes GWMA’s request for ballot measure

The Adams County Commissioners met on Aug. 1 to discuss the draft resolution about the proposed creation of an aquifer protection area, ending in a two-to-one vote against placing the resolution on the November general election ballot.

Commissioners Jeff Stevens and Rudy Plager voted against the resolution proposed by Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area (GWMA) to create an aquifer protection area. Commissioner Roger Hartwig voted in favor of the resolution.

The draft resolution planned to charge taxpayers an annual fee based on water usage or ownership of production wells. The fees collected would help fund continued research by GWMA to create an aquifer protection area throughout the four counties involved with GWMA: Adams, Lincoln, Grant and Franklin.

“I really think we can all agree that GWMA has done some wonderful work,” Plager stated, beginning the discussion. “My biggest issue is that I cannot continue a program because of what it has done in the past.”

Stevens agreed with the statement, and voiced his appreciation of the research GWMA has done to provide the area with solutions but believed it is a time for action.

“I think we all know that river water is the solution for our communities,” Stevens said, acknowledging that if the communities knew the solution, there is no longer need for research. “We don’t need more studies, we need that solution.”

Hartwig believed GWMA is necessary to the county in order to find a way to recharge the wells, and had doubt of another organization stepping up to complete the work that GWMA had started. He stated that GWMA had been relying on the commissioners to make the right decision and help the organization, as they were the “last resort.”

During the public forum discussion on July 30, Plager had asked GWMA’s executive director, Paul Stoker, to speak to the community members present about the future vision of GWMA. Plager and Stevens agreed that his answer did not provide a definite answer about the future role of the organization, leaving the two commissioners with doubt and hesitation to move forward with the resolution.

Also in attendance at the Aug. 1 meeting was Adams County Prosecutor, Randy Flyckt, who came to discuss the terminology of the resolution with the commissioners. Flyckt advised that if the resolution had been adopted, the language on the ballot would have to be modified to comply with a statute clause.

After an extensive discussion between the commissioners, Hartwig made a motion to place the proposed resolution on the November ballot. Stevens seconded the motion, and it went to a vote where Stevens and Plager voted in opposition, causing the motion to fail.

The commissioners all agreed that they are in support of GWMA but Plager and Stevens did not feel comfortable with the proposed resolution.

Hartwig expressed concern regarding his fellow commissioners decision and stated he believes GWMA is the organization to help the four counties with the water issues.

“I’m truly in support of GWMA and believe this is a decision for the people of Adams County,” said Hartwig. “The future of GWMA should be decided by the voters.”

Plager said, “Again, it did come down to the fact to actually build infrastructure and not to study it.” He added that he did not feel GWMA provided him with a strong future goal and that the resolution was not ready for “prime time.”

“This whole process should have started long ago,” Stevens added, ending the discussion. “The whole project was a last ditch effort and we’re not sure of their role in the future. They didn’t give us a definite answer.”