Link source: https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-24-ecology-declares-drought-emergency-in-12-counties
OLYMPIA –
Early snowmelt, a lack of spring rain and low streamflows have prompted the Washington Department of Ecology to declare a drought emergency for watersheds in 12 counties throughout the state.
Counties affected by the drought declaration include Benton, Clallam, Columbia, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Skagit, Snohomish, Walla Walla, Whatcom and Yakima. The rest of the state remains under the drought advisory issued by Ecology July 5.
“This drought is already harming Washington communities, businesses and farms, and it’s another sign of the damage that climate change is causing to our state," said Laura Watson, Ecology's director. "Today's drought declaration will help to rapidly deliver relief to these areas, but we need to also be taking steps to manage water wisely and prepare for a drier future."
In Washington, drought is declared when there is less than 75% of normal water supply and there is the risk of undue hardship. Declaring a drought emergency allows Ecology to process emergency water right permits and transfers. New legislation passed this spring also makes $3 million in emergency drought funds available as grants to support communities, irrigation districts, Tribes and other public entities facing hardships.
It’s hot and dry out there
May and June of this year ranked as the fourth warmest and 11th driest such period since 1895. In June, Washington received only 49% of its usual rainfall. Those hot days led to early runoff of the snowpack that feeds many Washington rivers, and the dry weather deprived the soil of a final shot of moisture before the summer heat arrived.
Current forecasts show a high likelihood of continued warm, dry weather through October.
"Climate change is making warm, dry summers more frequent, and droughts more severe," said Ria Berns, manager of Ecology's Water Resources program. "What we're seeing this year is likely a sign of things to come."
Local impacts
Watersheds that fell under this year’s drought declaration are reporting a range of hardships, including limits on water users with more junior water rights, difficulties with fish passage, and a need to truck in drinking water to residents.
Some of those impacts for the affected counties:
West of the Cascades: Nooksack, Upper and Lower Skagit, Lyre-Hoko, Soleduc-Hoh, Dungeness-Elwha
In the Nooksack Basin, three water systems serving 346 people north and west of Ferndale are operating on emergency status. Some wells have gone dry. One system has an emergency intertie with Ferndale, another is hauling water via truck. The third will likely need to bring in water by truck soon.
In the Upper and Lower Skagit basins, curtailments due to instream flow requirements have resulted in some junior water right holders petitioning for a drought declaration in order to facilitate emergency water right transfers.
In the Lyre-Hoko, Soleduc-Hoh and Dungeness-Elhwa watersheds, concerns about fish hatcheries and salmon migration have been reported due to low streamflows.
Clallam County PUD’s Island View Water System is trucking in water because Olsen Creek’s streamflow is too low. This system serves a population of 78 residential customers and 13 non-residential customers.
Neah Bay has been on mandatory watering restrictions since mid-May.
East of the Cascades: Upper Yakima, Lower Yakima, Naches, Walla Walla, Okanogan, Methow
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has pro-rated junior irrigation districts, including Roza, Kittitas Reclamation District and the Wapato Irrigation Project to 72% of their full entitlement. Some mid-season fallowing has already occurred, meaning some farmers are not planting in fields when they normally would. Some cherry trees are not being watered post-harvest. Irrigators have expressed concerns about crop stress and reduced crop yields. There is also significant concern for late-season water availability.
In the Walla Walla Basin, there are reports that parts of the watershed have gone completely dry. The Washington State Conservation Commission has reported crop losses.
Are you facing drought hardship?
Observations and photographs of drought conditions can help the Department of Ecology assess whether to elevate state response. Observations should be submitted using the Conditions Monitoring Observation System
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES
Ecology funds more zero-emission public vehicles in communities across Washington.
$16.3M for switching out vehicles and diesel equipment will help air quality and the climate--DOE
Commerce provides $79 million in relief to hospitality sector businesses impacted by pandemic.
Nearly 1,500 businesses across the state still struggling with pandemic recovery receive grants to cover losses
OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has distributed $79 million in grants to 1,493 hospitality sector businesses impacted by the pandemic. Authorized by the Washington Legislature in 2022 (ESSB 5693), funding provided through the Washington Hospitality Grant program is assisting businesses across the state with much needed relief right in time for the summer season.--WA Commerce Dept.
Washington State Securities Fraud Whistleblower Bill 1370 Went Into Effect July 23--DFI
Increasing reports of adult sturgeon mortalities prompt closure of all sturgeon fishing on portion of Columbia River.--wdfw
Toledo sand and gravel operation fined $29,000 for failing to submit water quality data.
OLYMPIA –
The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $29,000 fine to Toledo-based L Rock Industries for repeatedly refusing to submit required quarterly reports that monitor stormwater discharge and potential oil sheening from machinery.--DOE
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Defense, Interior-Environment, LHHS, and Homeland Security Bills.
“The bills before us today are the product of hard work from our Chairs and Ranking Members to make tough choices, under tough circumstances to address pressing challenges we face. They may not be what any one of us would have written on our own, but they are solid bills that provide necessary resources to keep our families safe and healthy, our military the best in the world, our economy strong, our communities growing and thriving, and to keep us moving forward—not back,”--Press release
Murray, Cortez Masto Introduce New Legislation to Expand Food Assistance for Tribal Households in WA and Across the Country.
“Tribal families and individuals in Washington state and across the country should not be forced to pick between nutrition assistance programs each month when they plainly need, are eligible for, and should have access to both.”--Press release
KILMER ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS IN RURAL HEALTH CARE, NUTRITION ON OLYMPIC PENINSULA
FUNDING WILL HELP IMPROVE QUALITY HEALTH CARE IN RURAL WASHINGTON--Press release
KILMER INVITES VIETNAM WAR PERIOD VETERANS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CEREMONY IN MASON COUNTY
VIETNAM WAR PERIOD VETERANS INVITED TO RECEIVE VIETNAM VETERAN LAPEL PIN--press release
Cantwell Bill to Help Cleanup 900,000+ Pieces of Dangerous Space Junk Heads to Full Senate
ORBITS Act would demonstrate technologies to clear dangerous orbital debris that threatens astronauts and satellites ? and even crashed into a Washington state farm--press release
UW Gets $10M Award to Train Semiconductor Workers
NSF grant supports U.S.-Japan corporate/academic partnership that aims to grow the semiconductor workforce in both countries; Funding authorized through Cantwell’s CHIPS & Science Act--press release
3) WORLD & NATION
UNHCR urges solidarity with Burkina Faso’s victims of extremist violence.
First Person: ‘Shocked’ into hepatitis C treatment in South Africa.
Security Council 2140 Committee Receives Briefing by Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict
On 19 June 2023, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) was briefed by Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba on the situation of children and armed conflict in Yemen, upon invitation by the Committee.--UN PRESS RELEASE
Explanation of Vote Following the Adoption of a UN Security Council Resolution Renewing Central African Republic Sanctions--USUN
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong Before Their Meeting--US State Dept.
NATION
Austin, Papua New Guinea Leaders Discuss Plans for Defense Cooperation.--DOD
Justice Department Commemorates the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Highlighting Efforts to Address the Criminalization of People with Disabilities--DOJ
Education, Labor Departments Announce New Efforts to Advance Teacher Preparation Programs and Expand Registered Apprenticeships for Educators--Dept. of Education
HUD Affirms Renter Protections and Releases $10 Million Funding Opportunity for Tenant Education and Outreach
Protections and funding build on commitments made by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights
Announcement made at HUD’s “National Conversation at the Community Table” with tenants and renters from across the United States.--HUD
Emerging Tick Bite-Associated Meat Allergy Potentially Affects Thousands
Many healthcare providers not familiar with allergic condition--CDC
4) Business
New Merger Guidelines Undercut Competitiveness
New merger guidelines from the FTC and DOJ will undermine economic competitiveness.--US Chamber of Commerce
FSOC Staff Committee Releases Progress Report on Interagency Efforts on Climate-related Financial Risk.--US Treasury Dept.
USDA Invests in Research, Extension and Education at 1890 Land-grant Universities--USDA
Operators of “Blessing Loom” Scheme Banned from Multi-Level Marketing As a Result of Pyramid Scheme Charges Brought by the FTC and Arkansas
Blessings in No Time also will pay at least $450,000 to refund affected consumers--FTC
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES HAZARD ALERT, STEPS UP ENFORCEMENT AS EXTREME HEAT ENDANGERS WORKERS ACROSS THE NATION.--Dept. of Labor
5) IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
Snohomish Superior Court enforces UTC order against illegal mover.
https://www.utc.wa.gov/news/2023/snohomish-superior-court-enforces-utc-order-against-illegal-mover
LACEY, Wash. - At the request of state regulators, the Snohomish County Superior Court ordered the owner of a Lynnwood-based moving company to pay $2,000 per day for continued illegal operation of his household goods moving business.
Washington, who performed business under the names Jay’s Moving Company, Jeffrey’s Moving Company, and Jack’s Moving Company, has a long history of operating without a required permit.
In May 2012, following a UTC staff investigation, the commission found that Washington operated a residential moving company without a permit, in violation of state law. At a UTC hearing, Washington admitted to the violations and agreed to cease operations unless he acquired a permit. Washington later paid a fine of $500 -- reduced from $5,000 on the condition that he complied with the agreement.
In October 2012, UTC staff discovered Washington was still engaged in the moving business without the required permit and ordered him to pay the remaining $4,500 fine.
In March 2014, the superior court ordered Washington to pay a civil penalty of $60,000 for violations of a UTC cease and desist order. Under the order, Washington was permanently prohibited from engaging in business as an in-state residential mover without a permit issued by the UTC.
In 2021, UTC staff received customer complaints about Washington’s businesses. UTC staff subsequently investigated the allegations and found Washington was continuing to offer moving services to customers and advertising moving services online, in violation of the UTC and the 2014 superior court cease and desist orders.
The new fine reflects Washington’s continued violation of the order and went into effect on July 12.
A state-issued permit for residential movers is required by law to protect consumers from unscrupulous business practices.
Prior to moving, consumers should:
Call the commission at 1-888-333-WUTC (9882) to verify the mover’s permit status and complaint history
Compare costs by getting at least two written estimates
Check online reviews and complaints about the mover
Know the mover’s full name, address and phone number
Get a written, signed inventory list from the company of all belongings being transported
Check the status of a mover’s website on the UTC website.
The UTC regulates the rates and services of telecommunications companies, investor-owned electric utilities, natural gas and water companies, garbage-collection haulers, household-goods movers and passenger transportation companies, commercial ferries, pipeline companies, marine pilotage, and a low-level radioactive waste repository. The commission does not regulate the rates of broadband services, cellular, cable, or Internet service.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Clallam County work session for 7/31/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07312023-885
Clallam County Commission meeting for 8/1/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08012023-886
Housing Solution Committee meeting for 8/4/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08042023-883
OMC BOARD MEETING for 8/2/23
https://www.olympicmedical.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AGENDA-August-2-2023-Work-Session.pdf
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