It's Official: We're Having A Drought

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By By KOMO Staff & News Services

Summary

Facing the potential worst drought since 1977, she asked the National Guard to prepare for combating wildfires this summer and more money from the Legislature for drought operations.

Story Published: Mar 10, 2005 at 9:45 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:52 AM PDT

It's Official: We're Having A Drought
YAKIMA - Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, responding to predictions of the worst drought since 1977, on Thursday declared a statewide drought emergency.

Gregoire directed her Emergency Drought Committee to gear up an emergency command center, track and coordinate responses by state agencies and make sure state resources reach where they are needed.

She ordered the National Guard to prepare for combatting wildfires this summer and requested the Legislature to boost drought-related appropriations by an additional $8.2 million.

"While water shortages won't affect all areas of the state in precisely the same way, it seems very likely that all areas of our state will experience at least some level of drought this year," Gregoire said in remarks prepared for a late morning news conference in Yakima.

"We need to start taking action now, and all of us need to be part of the solution."

As the Pacific Northwest girds for the worst drought in 28 years, precipitation is at or near record lows across the state, and mountain snow pack averages are running 26 percent of normal. Many rivers are at or near record lows for this time of year.

The water shortage hurts farmers, hydroelectric power production, fish production, irrigation, and other sectors of the region's agribusiness economy - and has people worried about an unusually bad fire season.

The drought is plaguing Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

Meteorologists blame a weak El Nino, which brought unusually mild weather to the region in January, February and, now, March. Water managers say the situation hasn't been this bad since 1977.

Gregoire's emergency declaration authorizes the state Department of Ecology to issue emergency water permits and temporary transfers of water rights, and releases funding from the state's Drought Emergency Account.

Ecology Director Jay Manning said his agency will focus on helping farmers, communities and streams get the water they need.

"Unfortunately, I cannot promise that everyone will get all the water they want," Manning said. "In some cases, we will be able to provide only enough water for people to get by. We will manage available water supplies the best we can, but we can't replace what nature doesn't give us."

The state departments of agriculture, health, and fish and wildlife will work with his agency to identify problems. Manning said the state Conservation Commission will work with local conservation districts and individual farmers on best practices for conservation and irrigation.

The Employment Security Department will focus on getting jobless benefits to those who are thrown out of work, and the state Department of Natural Resources will work with the guard to coordinate forest firefighting.

Using lessons learned in the 2001 drought, many farmers, hatcheries and communities aren't caught flat-footed, Manning said in a statement the governor's office released. Examples: Some areas are using treated waste water for landscape irrigation, replenishing wetlands and washing equipment. Farmers have replaced open ditches with pipes, and irrigators are getting more efficient, he said.

"There are a lot of ways people can reduce their water use to protect our streams and to keep the farms and businesses that power our state's economic engine running," Gregoire said. "We can manage this challenge if we all contribute to the solution."

The governor noted that Yakima Valley irrigators are feeling the greatest pinch right now, but that water users all around the state are dusting off their drought plans.

"Some communities have invested in systems to reuse and conserve water, and they'll survive this drought better than communities that haven't done as much," she said.

"Throughout this spring and summer, citizens need to pay close attention to what their local water providers are saying about water supplies in their area, and follow the instructions they are given.

"For most areas, every drop of water we save now is water that will be available later when we may really need it."

For More Information:

Bryan Johnson's story on drought concerns
www.ecy.wa.gov
www.governor.wa.gov