By Bill Hinkle
Our state, and Central Washington in particular, is no stranger to the political and socio-engineering tug-of-war surrounding water rights, water demand and water supply. Our region’s development, agriculture and economy look the way they do today because of the water decisions made throughout the last century. As such, the shape of our region’s future will be greatly impacted by the water policies put in place today.
Many homebuilders and employers in Kittitas County have been devastated by the Department of Ecology’s recent ban on new water wells. While there is now word of a temporary window this spring and summer for new wells, much of the damage to our region’s economy and to families’ life savings has already been done.
Now, in the midst of our local water issues at the state and county level, it appears the federal government may be on the verge of trumping us all and adding a whole new level of bureaucratic red tape and control when it comes to our water.
It all comes down to one word: navigable.
By removing the word “navigable” from the Clean Water Restoration Act, the federal government would no longer have jurisdiction over just the “navigable waters of the United States.” Regulatory control by the feds would extend to creek beds, drainage ditches, mud holes, ponds, and, presumably, the puddles in which our children and grandchildren are so fond of frolicking.
The bill currently before Congress, S. 787 the Clean Water Restoration Act, would seriously infringe upon our constitutional rights to own and manage our property. It would also deal a serious blow to our agricultural and ranching traditions at a time when the local and national economies are just starting to hit bottom.
I have always been one who believes in local control – for our students, our schools, our employers, and our energy needs. Decisions made at a local level – by those who not only have a deep understanding of the issues, the people and the traditions involved, but who also have to live under the same rules and regulations being debated – are usually made in the best interests of everyone involved, not just the most powerful special interest groups on the block!
This idea of local control applies to dealing with our water issues as well. A bureaucrat in an office a thousand miles away has no business making the difficult decisions about how water is used, stored and allocated here in Central Washington. What works (or doesn’t work) for California or Virginia may not work here in our state.
Even through some of the frustrations our region is facing in regards to water issues, I strongly believe we need to retain local control of this most precious resource. Our abundant, renewable hydro power is the envy of every other state in the nation. It is our responsibility, and our right, to manage it in the way that best represents our values and our vision for the future.
Please join me in urging our congressional delegation to vote NO on S. 787 the Clean Water Restoration Act.
(Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, represents the 13th Legislative District and serves as the House Republican Whip.)