DOE COMMENT PERIOD OPEN ON DRAFT BOUNDARIES FOR THE PASCO BASIN GROUNDWATER SUBAREA

The Department of Ecology (DOE) will be accepting public comments on the proposed boundaries for the Pasco Basin groundwater subarea from November 8, 2024 until December 10, 2024 until 11:50 p.m. The Pasco Basin Subarea Boundary draft order is available here for the 30 day review and comment period.

The new process to develop a permanent groundwater management framework for the Pasco Basin includes defining boundaries. By establishing a new groundwater rule, the amount of water in the basin can be lawfully allocated and increased. Plus, the rule will resolve legal and regulatory questions over how the water is utilized. DOE’s authority to enter an agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation was revised by the Washington State Legislature in 2021 so that they could develop a strategy to co-manage and allocate groundwater existing because of the Columbia Basin Project.

First, DOE and the Bureau of Reclamation need to define the boundaries where water will be managed in the Pasco Basin subarea which is located within the Southern third of Grant County, the Western half of Franklin County, and the Western third of Adams County. The boundaries proposed by DOE and the Bureau of Reclamation are consistent with the current boundaries established by chapter 508-14 WAC with subsequent modifications. For more information and a map of the Pasco Basin subarea visit the DOE Website.

Comments can be provided online or by mail. Please utilize this online comment form.

•  Online comments can be emailed to Karl Rains at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• The comment form can be submitted by mail here:

Karl Rains
4601 N. Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99205

An Online Hearing will take place on December 4, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Details can be found on DOE’s Event Calendar.

A State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Checklist and Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) for this non-project proposal was submitted by DOE and can be reviewed and commented upon by accessing SEPA # 202404934 on the SEPA Register. Be sure to include “Pasco Basin subarea Boundary Designation” in the email subject line.

Have more questions? Contact:

Karl Rains
Ecology Eastern Region
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
509-828-7934