The Skagit County Planning Commission is now considering code amendments to its well drilling policy, which if adopted, will close a loophole and protect Guemes Island’s Sole Source Aquifer. The Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee (GIPAC) supports this change and we encourage Islanders to submit comments in support of the change as well.
Comments to the Planning Commission are due by May 30th at 4:30PM. Below you will find sample language to use if that is helpful, as well as information on where and how to submit your comments. But first, a little background information about the proposed change and why it’s important.
What is the code change? The change would provide a simple clarification to well drilling applications by adding these words “prior to drilling in a Sole Source Aquifer” to Skagit County Code SCC 14.24.380. This code details the requirements for drilling a new well in seawater intrusion areas (defined as areas within one-half mile of a marine shoreline; and the entirety of Guemes, Sinclair, Cypress and Vendovi Islands). The current well drilling requirements include submitting the following information, which are not being changed:
• A site plan (including inland well site location)
• Estimated depth of well
• Estimated land elevation of the well
• Depth and chloride levels of surrounding wells
• Drilling plan
• Applicable fee
Why this is important? The addition of the words “prior to drilling in a Sole Source Aquifer” effectively closes a loophole in the County Code and by doing so, protects Guemes Island’s Sole Source Aquifer and the existing water rights of Island residents. As currently written, the code is only applicable when it is tied to a development application. If someone wants to put in a well prior to building, a well driller files needed paperwork with the State Department of Ecology and the well is drilled without any regard to the impact on neighbors and existing water rights and water quality. If at a later time, a development permit is applied for, the well is not considered “new” so it escapes review by the County. Ecology does not consider seawater intrusion in their review process, since they focus on water quantity.
What does this mean for islanders: This code change means that there will be greater oversight and therefore better protection of the quality of your water. If you are putting in a new well – either the first one on your property or replacing a failed well – the code will apply to you. This code is not applicable if you are repairing an existing well. Siting, depth and other information about a proposed new well can protect both the applicant and neighboring properties against seawater intrusion.
How did this code change come about? Guemes Island was designated a Sole Source Aquifer by the EPA in 1997 and is the only one in Skagit County. The EPA defines a SSA as “an aquifer that supplies at least 50 percent of drinking water for its service area; and has no reasonably available drinking water sources, should the aquifer become contaminated.” Seawater intrusion has led to the failure of fourteen wells on the island affecting some 40 homes and more are on the brink of failure. Seawater intrusion can be made worse by well drilling and people who once had good wells face failing systems, undrinkable water and loss of their senior water rights. According to the USGS, permanently pumping down the aquifer one foot causes the seawater boundary to rise 40 feet. More wells in certain areas of the Island puts more pressure on existing wells.GIPAC has worked to protect the island’s Sole Source Aquifer since its inception in 2011. We proposed changes to the code to protect our aquifer in 2018 and 2021, both which were denied for various reasons. However, good faith discussions with staff and the commissioners continued and staff proposed the current changes in 2023, which unfortunately the Planning Commission voted against in late November 2023. While there seems to be general agreement by the Board of Commissioners that the County has the responsibility to protect drinking water on Guemes Island, they kicked the proposal back to the Planning Commission for another round of consideration, which is where we are today.
The Island Needs Your Help! Please send comments to the Planning Commission in support of changes to the seawater intrusion area well drilling amendment C23-1. Here is some sample language that you could use and/or modify:
• As a Guemes Island resident and property owner (if that applies to you), I’m supporting the code amendment C23-1 and ask that the Planning Commission support the current recommended changes as proposed by Planning Department staff. The simple clarification of the code, that all wells being drilled in sole source aquifer have to go through the same review that is required when a well is being drilled as part of development permit, means you are protecting the property rights and water quality of Guemes Island residents. It does not prevent a well from being drilled, it simply considers the potential impact on neighbors, while also providing insight to the landowner of the potential quality of their well water. Additionally, now that Skagit County will allow rainwater catchment systems for potable use, landowners have more choices and are not prevented from property development This is a straightforward solution to protecting the Island’s Sole Source Aquifer and the health of the drinking water for Island residents.
Written Comments must be submitted by May 30, 2024 at 4:30PM, and the next Planning Commission hearing on this issue will be on May 28th. If possible please submit your comments prior to the May 28th meeting. Email comments are preferred and can be sent to pdscomments@co.skagit.wa.us and please use “Sole Source Aquifer Seawater Intrusion Amendment” in the subject line. Include your comments in the body of the email rather than an attachment. You must also include your full name and mailing address in order for the comment to be considered.
If you would like more information on the code amendment, here is a good PowerPoint that was recently presented to the Planning Commission.