Jefferson: Groups say county failed to protect wells

SHINE — A local water group and the Olympic Environmental Council are unhappy with an ordinance passed by Jefferson County commissioners last month to combat saltwater intrusion into water wells.

The groups filed a brief Wednesday with the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board claiming that the ordinance doesn’t meet a required deadline previously set by the hearings board.

The brief also claims no timeline is spelled out for when the county would put protective measures in place.

The county was required to develop a program to address the problem of saltwater seeping into wells and contaminating drinking water supplies in January, following a complaint filed by the two groups.

The hearings board gave the county 180 days to come up with regulations.

Commissioners passed an ordinance July 23 that would go into effect in 60 days, giving them time to gather additional input and consider possible changes suggested by the Planning Commission, which meets today to discuss the issue.

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The rest of the story appears in the Thursday Peninsula Daily News. Click on SUBSCRIBE to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.

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