Contents:

1. -Photos
   

2. -Documents
   

3. -Repeated damage to Dry Creek
   

Links:

1. -Dry Creek Coalition
   

2. -Washington Dept of Ecology
   

3. -Port Angeles City Planners
   

Photos:  Dry Creek Coalition

On September 12 the Center for Environmental Law & Policy (CELP) and the Dry Creek Coalition (DCC) sent a letter to the Washington Dept of Ecology (Ecology) asking the state agency to direct A2Z Enterprises to return illegally-diverted water to wetlands near Port Angeles.  In early September A2Z pumped an estimated 1 million gallons into an aquatic racetrack, where it intends to hold "sprintboat" races on September 17. 

The request follows an August 23 letter asking Ecology to investigate the validity of water rights held by A2Z, and the presentation of evidence – including aerial photographs – demonstrating A2Z’s unauthorized pumping from a wetland.

On Friday, September 9, Ecology issued an administrative order directing A2Z to stop pumping water from the wetland.  A2Z has indicated in documents filed with the City of Port Angeles that it would need up to 1 million gallons of water to fill the sprintboat racetrack pond.

“A2Z appears to have misled Ecology and other regulators in describing its water supply plan,” said Rachael Paschal Osborn, director of CELP.  “The racetrack is causing harm to important public resources including wetlands and groundwaters that sustain Dry Creek and its fishery during these dry months.”

"Hot September weather is stressing the region's waters and the wildlife that depend upon them.  Illegal water use is not uncommon during hot weather conditions."

Background

An outfit called A2Z enterprises is building a “sprint boat” racetrack near Port Angeles, with the goal of holding races on September 17th.   Boats require water to float, but A2Z doesn’t have a water right.  On August 23, CELP and the Dry Creek Coalition sent a letter to the Department of Ecology expressing concern that the A2Z might attempt to illegally take water from surrounding wetlands or the local stream.   When contacted, the owner denied such action, stating that he would buy the water from the City of Port Angeles and have it trucked in.

Instead, A2Z put a pipe into a large wetland pond just north of the racetrack, located on the Port of Port Angeles airport property and started pumping away.  The photo of the pond shows the level of water dropping.  According to A2Z’s estimates given to City Planning Department, the racetrack needs a million gallons to operate.

Dry Creek Coalition (DCC) has, for many years, attempted to get federal and state agencies to take action to proactively protect the wetlands in and around the A2Z property.  DCC and CELP are now asking regulators to take action to prevent further damage and to restore the property.

Despite its name, Dry Creek is a small stream that flows directly to the Straits of Juan de Fuca, emptying into the marine waters just east of the Elwha River.   Dry Creek is a salmon stream and worthy of substantial protections. 

Olympic Peninsula Water Future

Illegal Water Diversions Threaten Wetlands, Groundwater, Salmon Stream