Vashon Watershed Plan Comment now on plan to keep water poison-free our children, their children, their pets, and wild things that share our island can have clean, sufficient water if recommendations offered by a group of islanders are adopted. A Vashon Watershed Planning Group has been meeting to complete a draft island plan that addresses supply, protection, conservation, use, rights, (quality and quantity) of our island ground and surface waters. The Plan proposes more than 60 recommendations to these ends. Now we invite your comments on them. State and local government may implement these recommendations if they agree. Every year new islanders settle here. They increasingly drill wells into the groundwater beneath us. Then septic drain fields are built above it. A King County study now underway should tell us how much water may be available and where pollutants filter down to our water supply. We have learned that island streams have limited flow, available island water supplies can be hard to find, many island property owners are on waiting lists for water, and polluted groundwater is extremely expensive to clean up – if it can be cleaned up at all. That is why your review and comments on these recommendations are so important. Who came up with all this? The Vashon Watershed Plan is an initiative of the island Groundwater Protection Committee, participating in a broader planning process under the State Watershed Management Act. Islander Jeremy Pratt, chairman, led plan development together with John Gerstle; Jim English; Jim Dam; Enid Dolstad; Donna Klemka; Michael Laurie; Rayna Holtz; Susie Kalhorn[J.M.B.1] ; Joel and Yvonne Kuperberg; Steve Graham; Jim Garrison; Jay Becker; and Margaret Cruse. We represented various interests. Islander Steve Foley, Susan Oxholm and Sarah Ogier from King County, and Jacque Klug and Doug Wood [JP2] from the state Ecology Department participated regularly. Others participated to offer specific information. We met publicly and often since June 2004 to discuss and develop this Vashon watershed plan. If we had not developed our own recommendations, people who know less about our island would have done it for us. This plan is to be discussed for endorsement at the March 21, 2005 Vashon Maury Island Community Council meeting, 7 p.m., at Courthouse Square on Vashon Highway SW. You already know the Council’s official role is to advise King County. Every islander over 18 is a member and can vote. An island public meeting to explain and discuss the watershed plan will be held on the evening of March 16, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30p.m. at Chatauqua Elementary School. Look for reminders in local newspapers and other means of learning of public meetings. The Vashon Groundwater Protection Committee will meet to consider approval of the Plan April 27 at the Penny Farcy (Fire Hall) Training Center in Vashon. Section 1 of the plan is a summary, and section 2 gives a history and approach taken to developing the plan. Section 3 offers an overview of island water resources including historic actions and studies and some current statistics describing what we know. It also outlines some applicable laws. We didn’t have room for all that here. Section 4 is the core of the plan, with recommendations. Please read these recommendations and reasoning, then send your suggestions by March 31, 2005 to any one of these folks: Jim_English@amerifresh.com, Jaybecker@aol.com, JHGerstle@comcast.net, or mail your comments to King County, care of Susan Oxholm, King County DNRP, 201 South Jackson Street, Suite 600, Seattle WA 98104-3855. The Vashon Watershed Planning Group will meet publicly in mid-April to review your suggestions and supporting evidence and revise these recommendations as appropriate. We will then publicly share changes at the Groundwater Protection Committee April 27 meeting at the training center when the Watershed Plan is considered for approval. Ultimately, King County will review the plan and forward it for adoption as part of the Kitsap Peninsula’s WRIA 15 Plan. Once adopted by the King County Council, state funds will be allocated for implementation of these recommendations. Principles that guided us · Use water so that our level of use can be sustained indefinitely without damage to the resource. · Maintain natural hydrology and recognize hydraulic continuity between surface and ground water. If it is not possible to maintain natural hydrology, mimic natural hydrology. · Be proactive, not reactive. · Maintain properly functioning conditions (including both in stream and riparian conditions). · Balance human and natural systems needs (note, this may be an element of sustainability). · Accommodate growth in a thoughtful, careful, creative way – within the boundaries of sustainable development. · Look for innovative solutions. · Involve the larger Vashon community (like the publication you are reading). · Keep in mind the need for implementing rules, ordinances, and legislation and identify these in our recommendations. Here are the core recommendations in the Vashon Watershed Plan, along with brief background. Section 4.1, Water rights Watershed planning must be based on an accurate accounting of water rights. Key issues include new water rights for island water systems with waiting lists, and interties among water systems, allowing those with available water to sell to those who need water. Existing conditions/actions Groundwater accounts for about two-thirds of annual volume appropriated in Vashon water rights. Surface and ground water rights are more nearly equal in terms of instantaneous pumping rights. Few of the named Vashon streams have any surface water appropriated. Based on limited data on low flows, it appears that Beall Creek and Ellis Creek may be over-appropriated. Other Vashon streams do not appear to be over-appropriated, however the streams on Vashon are small and cannot support much use. Judd Creek and Shinglemill Creek, the largest streams, are already closed, as are several others. The amount of groundwater actually available for appropriation is still very uncertain. Studies of the resource have reported a wide range of groundwater potentially available. Depending on the study cited, Vashon groundwater is either over-appropriated, or only a relatively small fraction of the resource is appropriated. The amount of Vashon "water claims" remains unquantified and the amount of water actually taken under claims is unknown. The two major purposes for water use on Vashon are for domestic use and irrigation. Irrigation is no longer as large a water use on Vashon as it once was. Where larger public water systems are not providing service under water rights, small water systems and individuals are taking water from exempt wells. Some of the larger Vashon-Maury Island Group A water systems have exhausted their water rights and have not been accepting new connections. Section 3.3 provides a more detailed review of Vashon water rights. Recently, the State Legislature passed a bill providing additional certainty for municipal water rights and clarifying that a water purveyor may extend their water rights to the service areas of other water systems if interties exist. Desired outcomes Water rights certificates, claims and exempt wells are in balance with known, available sustainable supply. New water rights do not impair existing uses or users (RCW 90.03.280 and 90.44.0600). Transfers of water rights do not damage properly functioning conditions in island surface water ecosystems. Island public water systems have adequate water right certificates to serve demand consistent with sustainable island land use and growth management plans, policies, and regulations. Water claims are quantified. Paper water rights and forfeited claims are formally relinquished. Recommendations · The Washington Department of Ecology shall endeavor to update its database to provide a best estimate of the claimed quantities for Vashon water claims. · The Washington Department of Ecology shall work with owners of paper water rights that have become invalid through non-use to secure their relinquishment outside formal adjudication. · Once the King County Water Resource Evaluation is complete, the Vashon-Maury Island Groundwater Protection Committee shall advise King County and the Department of Ecology as they determine whether there is sufficient groundwater available for appropriation to meet projected levels of future growth on the island. New water rights shall be issued to the extent groundwater is available for appropriation on a sustainable basis Section 4.2, Conservation Watershed planning must also be based on an accurate accounting of water use. This information will help guide how much we can leave in streams, how much we can use, how close we are to limits, and our future water supply strategies. To estimate how much we can use, we need to better understand how much we currently use. Vashon currently has incomplete information about our water use. It is a priority to conserve and wisely use existing water supplies in order to extend surface and ground water supplies, protect instream values, and reduce uncertainties regarding future growth in demand for water. The lack of economic incentives for exempt well owners to conserve is an important concern. Existing conditions/actions The major use of water on Vashon is for municipal and domestic purposes. Lesser uses include agriculture and commercial purposes. The island has a population of 10,123, an average household size of 2.4 persons, and a total of 4,867 residential units (Census 2000). About 11% of these are seasonally occupied (11%) and 3% are vacant. Public water systems serve more than 4,000 connections on Vashon, and there are an estimated 800 exempt wells on the island. Residences on exempt wells tend to use more water than those on public service (according to an analysis conducted for WRIA 15 by Golder). Existing water demand on Vashon is estimated to be approximately 356 million gallons per year (MGY), 80% of it served by public water systems. Agriculture is estimated to use about 118 MGY of water per year on Vashon, or about one-third as much as municipal/domestic use. It is estimated that Vashon users could cost-effectively reduce their water use by at least 15% or more (pers. comm. Michael Laurie). However, at present the potential for conservation on the island is not well defined. An island-wide assessment of conservation potential would be very helpful for watershed planning. Water conservation on Vashon faces several obstacles. Because the variable component of cost for most Vashon water purveyors is relatively low, savings from sponsoring a water conservation program are likely to be small as well. Vashon water purveyors would need to manage their water conservation programs carefully – and probably keep them relatively small – to insure that the costs of the program (both direct costs and reduced revenue from reduced sales) do not exceed the savings that can be realized through the program. Alternatively, water conservation costs could be rolled into the water rate base. Conservation strategies include consideration of setting aside a portion of conserved water for in-stream flows and other non-consumptive benefits. They also require consideration of septic and sewer use. Septic systems typically return at least 70 percent of residential water use to groundwater recharge. From a water cycle perspective, the net benefit of in-home water conservation for residences with septic systems (about 90 percent of Vashon residences) is much less than the gross amount conserved. Any assessment of future water needs for Vashon needs to include some consideration of potential climate change impacts and leave a margin of safety to help address the uncertainty that remains. Section 3.4 provides a more detailed review of Vashon water use and conservation. Desired outcomes Island water users are educated about water conservation opportunities. Improved water use information is readily available to island residents and water managers, including information on groundwater levels, metering data from wells. Island private well owners have economic incentives to conserve. Regulatory agencies reward conservation (rather than requiring that conserved water be relinquished from water rights). Water is used as efficiently as possible, recognizing effects on other people and the island environment. Land use and growth management policies maintain island water use within sustainable supply capacity, considering needs for both people and island ecosystems. Water is allocated and used conservatively in the absence of good knowledge about ground water supply. A contingency buffer is built into water plans. An updated Ground Water Management Plan recognizes changes in island population growth, geologic mapping, and groundwater resource evaluations conducted by King County. Island future water supply strategies are consistent with maintenance of a safe, sustainable supply; high water quality; reliable public water service; island lifestyle goals; findings of existing and ongoing studies; the history of island water planning and management; and local plans and policies (including this watershed plan). Recommendations · King County policies R107 and CP1227 shall be implemented to conduct the required monitoring, determine whether planned densities can be achieved, and take the required steps to protect groundwater. · Revise King County Comprehensive Plan Policy R-107 as follows: R-107: King County shall monitor the quantity and quality of the water supply for the Vashon Community Planning Area, along with building permit and subdivision data, and reassess the Vashon Community Plan’s allowable growth capacity, if warranted. If new information indicates an inability to meet water demand on a sustainable basis, the County should apply a complete moratorium on construction of new dwelling units while it updates the Vashon Community Plan and Area Zoning and a sufficient, cost-effective, and sustainable water supply is identified to meet projected demand. · Revise King County Comprehensive Plan Policy CP-1227 as follows: CP-1227: The quantity and quality of Vashon-Maury Islands’ groundwater supply should be monitored, along with building permit and subdivision data, to determine if planned densities can be achieved. If new information indicates the groundwater supply is projected to be used beyond its sustainable capacity, the County shall take immediate steps to ensure new development does not impair the groundwater supply · Revise King County Comprehensive Plan Policy CP-1214 as follows: Special consideration should be given to the impacts of new development on the Island’s groundwater resources. This should apply to major developments, development in high groundwater recharge areas, development near public water supplies, or withdrawal of ground water beyond the sustainable supply capacity of the island sole-source aquifer. · Planned use of the Vashon-Maury sole-source aquifer shall be sustainable as a future water supply strategy. If projected future growth exceeds sustainable water supply (defined as recommended in Section 4.1), King County growth management codes and plans shall be revised to control growth on Vashon-Maury Island within the limits of the water supply. If the sustainable supply capacity of the island sole-source aquifer is defined as a range, King County policy shall not allow buildout to exceed the lower end of the range to assure a sustainable island-wide supply. · The Vashon Groundwater Management Plan and Vashon Coordinated Water System Plan shall be updated and coordinated with one another and with an updated Vashon Community Plan (or Vashon Island Chapter of the King County Comprehensive Plan). · The Ground Water Protection Committee shall integrate the results of King County’s Water Resource Evaluation in updating the Vashon Ground Water Management Plan and coordinate this update with island water purveyors in their update of the Coordinated Water System Plan. · The Ground Water Protection Committee shall integrate its work in advising on protection of Vashon groundwater quality with the implementation of future water supply strategies developed through the watershed planning process. · An island-wide assessment of the potential for water conservation shall be conducted by King County and island water systems. · An island water conservation education program shall be developed and implemented as a joint effort of the Water Utility Coordinating Committee (formed of the participating public water systems in the Coordinated Water System Plan) and King County. Section 4.3, Water service In 1998, the Vashon Ground Water Management Plan noted that during the 1990s several island water systems were experiencing shortages. Currently, some of the larger Vashon Group A water systems have exhausted their water rights and have established moratoria on new connections. A Coordinated Water Supply Plan was prepared by these seven Group A water systems in 1990, but has been largely unimplemented. Because island public water system services areas are not always contiguous to one another, coordination or intertie may not always be cost-effective. Existing conditions/action The CWSP, King County Comprehensive Plan, and 1986 Vashon Community Plan all give preference to public water service. Wherever law or policy states a preference for public water service, the duty to serve is conditioned by the availability of a timely, reasonable, safe, and reliable supply, within water rights, and consistent with plans. These conditions relieve water systems of the impossible demand that they serve where water is not available or cannot be prudently provided. About 22 Group A public water systems and 106 Group B public water systems serve Vashon-Maury Island. The Group A water systems serve about 3,100 residential connections, or roughly 63% of Vashon households, and the Group B systems serve an additional 422 residences (about 9% of Vashon households). Several of the larger Group A water systems have waiting lists. Others have unused water shares and a few have shares available. A “critical water supply” situation led to the initiation of Coordinated Water Supply Planning on Vashon-Maury Island nearly 20 years ago under the Water System Coordination Act. A Critical Water Supply Service Area was defined for the seven largest Vashon public water systems. New public water systems may not be formed within CWSSA boundaries without the agreement of the existing purveyors, and new land development must request water service from nearby purveyors before taking any other action to develop a water supply. The seven Vashon water systems in the CWSSA established a Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC) and completed the Vashon Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) in 1990. The CWSP is intended to integrate and coordinate public water system facilities consistent with local land use and growth management plans. Section 3.5 provides a more detailed review of Vashon public water systems. Desired outcomes Coordination and cost-effective, economically desirable connection among island public water systems in accordance with an updated Coordinated Water System Plan, for shared stewardship of resources, fire protection, and reliable supply. A safe, reliable island public water supply meeting current and future island needs from financially stable, operationally sound island public water systems in those areas suited to public water service. Continued public water supply from the existing island Group A public water systems and consolidation of island Group B systems as needed for financial stability, sound management, and safe operations. Coordinated island-wide water management? A water supply emergency plan in place for the island. Island wide designation as a critical water supply area? Metering of all island public water system wells, whether exempt or not. Recommendations · The Vashon Critical Water Supply Service Area shall be extended to cover all Group A service areas on the island, including any new Group A water systems that may form in the future. · Group A public water systems should provide service within their service areas and should expand to serve wherever they can provide a cost-effective, timely, reasonable, safe, and reliable supply, within their water rights, and consistent with local plans and policies. · The water systems participating in Coordinated Water System Planning shall update and implement the 1990 Coordinated Water System Plan. · Island Group A public water systems are encouraged to coordinate with one another to make the most effective use of existing water sources to meet island water needs. · Vashon Group A water systems should implement affordable interties where they improve fire flows, increase reliability or enhance the ability to meet future needs as part of future water supply strategies in the context of this watershed plan. Washington Department of Health should provide guidance to Vashon water systems on intertie terms and conditions. · Island public water systems should conduct ongoing monitoring and consider the outcomes of the King County Water Resource Evaluation as they review planning policies and develop water system plans. · Island public water systems should ensure that groundwater is used on a sustainable basis. New connections shall be provided to the extent groundwater is available on a sustainable basis. · All Vashon-Maury Island public water systems are encouraged to share responsibility for the stewardship and husbanding of sole-source island water resources. · The Groundwater Protection Committee should be expanded to include a representative from a Vashon Group B water system. · King County should meet annually with the Ground Water Protection Committee, an expanded Coordinated Water System Plan Water Utility Coordinating Committee, and the Washington Department of Ecology to discuss and coordinate the protection of island water supplies and implementation of future water supply strategies in the context of this watershed plan. · King County shall revise Chapter 12.32.010 of the King County as follows: B. For pre-application approval of a subdivision, short subdivision, rezone or lot line adjustment, the health officer must receive the following information: 1. For existing public water supplies, a copy of a certificate of water availability from the purveyor of the public water supply; 2. For a proposed public water supply, a request for approval of the water source site location, a recorded copy of a declaration of covenant, restrictive covenant(s) (if applicable), waterline easements and a water-use agreement; and 3. For the use of private wells, documentation that all lots are five (5) acres or larger in size the purveyor of the existing public water supply is not able and willing to provide service in a timely and reasonable manner, as per WAC 246-293-190, including the latest revisions or amendments thereof. C. For final approval of a subdivision, short subdivision, rezone or lot line adjustment, the health officer must receive the following information: 1. For group A or B (as defined in Section 12.04.030) water systems, approved construction documents, a copy of the acknowledgment of inspection and an as-built drawing of the completed system; 2. For group A or B (not as defined in Section 12.04.030) water systems, a copy of a letter from the water utility which states that the system has been installed and approved or that a contract or bond assures completion of the system; and 3. For the use of private wells, documentation that all lots are five (5) acres or larger in size the purveyor of the existing public water supply is not able and willing to provide service in a timely and reasonable manner, as per WAC 246-293-190, including the latest revisions or amendments thereof, and that the source must be developed and meet the minimum production requirements per Title 19 KCC. D. All lots created by a subdivision, short subdivision, rezone or lot line adjustment which are less than five (5) acres in size and were created after May 18, 1972 must be served by an approved public water supply which is current in its sampling requirements. · Island public water systems that provide reliable, high-quality water service and are financially stable should not be forced to consolidate. Section 4.4, Wells A growing number of exempt wells have been drilled on Vashon-Maury Islands over the past 10-15 years, paralleling an increase in building activity and difficulties faced by some of the Island’s Group A water systems in extending public service and meeting demand. These wells pose both water quality and water quantity concerns. Although King County has a stated policy preference for public water service, many of these wells have been drilled within the service areas of existing island public water systems. Exempt wells are often the only alternative for domestic water supply in rural areas. Existing conditions/actions About 1,000 residences on Vashon appear to be using exempt wells for their water supply. Some of these are small (Group B) public water systems, typically serving several residences, and some are individual homes. In rural areas, exempt wells are often the only alternative for domestic water supply. However exempt wells are proliferating within the existing service areas of larger island water systems as these systems take on less of the new demand. During the period from 1940 to 1970, about one new well per year was drilled. The number has jumped in each decade since 1970, growing to 42 per year during the 1990s. During the 1980s, roughly one well was drilled for every five new residential units permitted, but during the 1990s, one well was drilled for every two new residential permits. The median depth of wells on the island is in the range of 100 to 150 feet. Island well density is approximately 22 wells per square mile, or an average of 29 acres per well. The proliferation of exempt wells is a concern for reasons of both water quantity and water quality. Each exempt well is a potential means of access for contamination to the island sole-source aquifer, and withdraws an unknown amount from that source, potentially affecting springs, small streams, and overall water supply. RCW 19.27.097 provides that a County or City may impose conditions on building permits requiring connection to an existing public water system where the existing system is willing and able to provide safe and reliable potable water to the applicant with reasonable economy and efficiency. RCW 18.104.040 gives the departments of Health and Ecology joint authority to limit well construction in areas requiring intensive control of withdrawals. RCW 90.44.105 allows public water systems to consolidate exempt wells with existing water system service areas to their water rights. The Washington Department of Health recently (2003) surveyed small water systems and found a high incidence of serious contamination risks, through such deficiencies as lack of properly constructed and screened well vents, inadequate water quality monitoring, and unprotected openings, proximity of biological and chemical contaminants to wellhead, and a lack of sealed well caps. These deficiencies reflect and illustrate the risk of contamination to groundwater from wells maintained by small systems and inexperienced operators. Individual exempt wells cannot be presumed to be better managed or protected than these small system wells. Section 3.6 provides a more detailed review of Vashon exempt wells. Desired outcomes Exempt wells are not developed within island public water system service areas unless service cannot be provided on a timely, reasonable basis. Wellhead protection is required for all island exempt wells, with regular inspection. Recommendations · The appropriate use of exempt wells shall be recognized in locations where they are the most reasonable, cost-effective means of providing water service. Exempt wells serving small water systems and individual residences are needed where infrastructure from larger public water systems is not currently available or cost-effective to extend. · A representative sample of Vashon-Maury exempt wells should be monitored for water use. Volunteers should be solicited to participate in this study. · Existing State law and County ordinances should be enforced with regard to permitting exempt wells within the service areas of Group A water systems that are part of the Critical Water Supply Service Area. · King County shall condition building permits to manage the development of new exempt wells within the framework of County growth management policy and the sustainable carrying capacity of Vashon-Maury Island water resources. · King County shall approve building permits served by exempt wells only if public water service cannot provide cost-effective, timely, reasonable, safe, and reliable water service, within their water rights, and consistent with local plans and policies. If new development lies within or less than one mile from the boundaries of the service area of a public water system, that public water system should have been contacted and requested to provide service. · Affordable consolidation of exempt wells to public water rights and service from existing Group A systems is encouraged. Any well that is consolidated must be properly decommissioned or dedicated to scientific purposes (e.g., monitoring). · Seattle-King County Health Department and Department of Ecology shall conduct an assessment of source protection for individual exempt wells and Group B exempt wells on Vashon Island, and recommend measures to correct any deficiencies that entail a risk to the quality of the island sole-source aquifer. Section 4.5, Stream flows Island streams are too small to sustain much out-of-stream use. Streams, springs and aquifers interact and are part of an integral hydrologic system. Human alterations to the drainage system have also affected hydrology. Springs and shallow wells are used by many island water systems, affecting flows in some streams and during some seasons. Normative flows are needed in streams to meet the life requirements of aquatic life, from benthic invertebrate populations to salmonids. Normative flows maintain the key aspects of natural stream flow cycles needed for healthy riparian ecology, especially for salmonid survival. While minimum flows are needed, they are not the only focus. Seasonally higher flows are needed at appropriate times of the year; peak flows must not be so high that they scour streambeds and salmon redds; summer low flows should not begin too early and harm riparian life; base flows should not decline below certain levels during the late summer low-flow season. With increased modifications of our landscape, such as the conversion of forests to impervious surfaces, maintaining normative flows requires management actions that help mimic natural conditions. Existing conditions/actions A variety of changes over the past 125 years have altered stream flow patterns. Land clearing and paving speed surface water runoff and decrease recharge of the shallow aquifers that feed streams. Storms create faster, higher peak flows that cause more scouring of streambeds, and more frequent slides along riparian slopes, which in turn lead to higher sediment loads. This may be illustrated in the Shinglemill Creek watershed, where multiple slides follow large storm events. Salmon redds are scoured by high flows or smothered by sediment. Flow levels drop earlier in the summer, reach lower base levels in late summer and fall, and remain at low levels for longer periods. Well withdrawals may reduce local water table levels that in turn influence the seeps and springs tied to nearby stream flows. These lower flow levels reduce the habitat needed by juvenile salmonids that need 3-12 months to rear within the protection of the streams. These are problems that afflict all King County streams and rivers to some extent, but the small watersheds, such as those of Vashon, are “flashier” than large watersheds because their recharge areas are so much more limited. On Vashon, there are few legal protections for streams. Only a few streams –including Judd and Shinglemill—have been closed to further in-stream withdrawals, and minimum flows are set only where downstream water rights are involved, as is the case with Beall Creek. Vashon has about 22 salmonid-bearing streams, all of them occupied by sea-run cutthroat trout, two by steelhead, five by Coho salmon, and two by chum. King County is currently conducting normative flow studies to enhance understanding of the relationship between river and stream flow patterns with ecological parameters. This understanding will be used to develop a stream assessment methodology and analytical tools that will help King County to evaluate the effects of management actions (such as water reuse, stormwater management, and flood hazard management) in protecting or restoring a flow regime that supports ecosystem health and salmon. One of the County’s listed objectives is to “provide analytical tools to WRIAs and other interested parties for consideration and use as needed to fill gaps in technical programs.” Desired outcomes Island streams are protected from future diversion under new water rights. Vashon streams are prioritized in terms of their ecological value, chiefly their capacity to support salmonids. Studies, monitoring, and a variety of regulatory and restorative actions restore and protect normative flows in Vashon streams. Normative flow protection is extended to Vashon salmonid-bearing streams. Recommendations · In order to preserve island hydrology and the riparian and riverine ecosystems of island streams, no new surface water rights should be issued for Vashon streams. · As normative flow analyses emerge from King County and other studies, implement strategies to protect/enhance stream ecology: Data Collection ? Install devices to track stream flows in priority fish-bearing streams of Vashon-Maury Island. ? Monitor salmonid adult spawners and juveniles at emergence from gravels. ? Monitor benthic invertebrates and/or other indicators of stream health. ? Support King County’s normative flow studies. Regulation/Restoration ? Require low impact development techniques for new construction. ? Restore riparian habitat, and regulate land use and clearing and grading in riparian areas consistent with recent updates to King County’s Critical Area, Clearing & Grading, and Stormwater ordinances. Education/Incentives ? Encourage water recycling and reclamation where feasible. ? Emphasize water conservation. ? Educate Vashon-Maury Island residents about stream flows and the importance of balancing the needs of people with the proper functioning of the island’s natural hydrology to ensure the protection of the water supply. Adaptive Watershed Management ? Consult with other watershed resource managers on best watershed management practices and adaptive management. ? Coordinate salmon restoration and recovery with WRIA 9 watershed managers. ? Manage stormwater to reduce peak storm flows due to human intervention in the hydrologic cycle, to encourage aquifer recharge, and to release water slowly into streams. ? Look for ways to delay the onset of summer low flows, and sustain minimum flows through late summer and early fall. ? Operate wastewater systems to promote reuse and aquifer recharge to the extent practical. ? Monitor flows in salmon-bearing streams to determine the effectiveness of the various management techniques. Section 4.6, Fuel tanks Leaking underground home heating oil tanks present a threat to groundwater quality. Many existing and even new homes are heating with fuel oil, and are storing this fuel in underground storage tanks. Many of the existing home heating oil tanks on the island are likely to be bare steel tanks without rust protection. The Vashon Groundwater Management Plan (GWMP) estimated that a large percentage may be leaking or will leak in the future. Existing conditions/actions The GWMP reported that the Department of Ecology listed 28 commercial tanks in use at the time (1998), and further estimated that there were more than 700 residential underground storage tanks (USTs) in use on the island. The GWMP related that Ecology was aware of seven sites that had contaminated groundwater, six of which had been remediated. Six strategies for wellhead protection from underground storage tanks were identified in the GWMP. The GWMP also recommended that King County Code be amended to prohibit the installation of new underground fuel tanks in Vashon residential zones. Until recently, only Washington State regulations governed the installation of USTs. Residential tanks were generally exempted from regulation, but commercial tanks have been and continue to be State regulated. Residential tanks are addressed in the CARA section of King County’s updated Critical Areas Ordinance The Ordinance (#15051), which became effective January 1, 2005. The provisions of the ordinance relating to residential tanks will apply only after these provisions have been submitted to and approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Alternative heat sources that do not need USTs include electric heat, heat pumps, gas furnaces and wood burning stoves. Conversion to natural gas is usually lowest cost, except where there are no mains nearby. Given the island’s multi-acre zoning, the distances to houses from existing gas lines often makes it uneconomic for homeowners to use natural gas heating. Neither homeowners nor gas utilities are willing to pay for installing gas lines. Desired conditions/outcomes No new underground fuel storage tanks are installed on the island. Existing residential underground fuel storage tanks are removed and replaced with aboveground tanks, or the need is obviated by other energy sources. Commercial USTs continue to be adequately regulated. The CARA section of the updated King County Critical Area Ordinance be successfully implemented, and State approval of UST provisions be completed as soon as possible. Recommendations · Encourage the elimination of existing residential USTs through the use substitute sources of heating. · The Vashon SWM Accountability Committee should discuss using a portion of the SWM fees to assist with the elimination of residential USTs. · Pursue other sources of funding to eliminate residential USTs, such as federal, state, and private grants and loans. · Explore a direct grant program for homeowners to decommission USTs and switch to aboveground fuel storage or alternative heating sources. · Study the effectiveness of commercial UST regulations. Section 4.7, Septic Septic systems are a major potential source of contamination in Vashon’s soils and groundwater. According to the Carr Study (1983), the number of people that could be supported on the island is limited by the ability of island soils to recover from septic discharge. Carr’s study suggests that this would present a more restrictive boundary on growth than the island water supply. Existing conditions/actions There is widespread awareness among homeowners, business people, and regulators that failed and failing septic systems are a common problem on Vashon Island. Water quality along the shorelines is known to reflect the effects of septic failures. While existing data on groundwater seems to indicate no serious effects, the data lacks the comprehensive analysis needed to ensure that failures are not taking place. And once groundwater is seriously polluted, efforts to clean it are difficult and expensive. The Vashon-Maury Island community should act before more comprehensive analysis shows that there is serious damage to our groundwater and nearshore environment. Large-scale efforts have been undertaken to solve local clusters of failing systems. In particular, the Beulah Park and Bunker Trail efforts have recently been completed. The results of these efforts have proven very expensive and time consuming. In addition, a major public concern is currently the failing systems on Quartermaster Harbor where the consequences are particularly acute for marine life. A local community group has been working with King County to address the problem, but no solution has yet emerged. Existing educational and regulatory efforts have not been adequate in ensuring that homeowners keep their septic systems in good working order or identifying and correcting major failures. Past efforts have included public seminars and distribution of educational materials from the County. However, gaining the support of people not committed to protecting their environment and/or not willing or able to make the necessary expenditures to fix a failing or failed septic system has proven to be difficult. The Vashon-Maury Island Groundwater Protection Committee is seeking support to provide additional educational materials to specifically target residents whose septic systems are not in compliance with current codes. In addition, the Septic Solutions Committee of the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council is exploring the possibility of a Public Utility District or other organization to manage septic issues locally for the Island. Desired outcomes Pollution from malfunctioning septic systems into our groundwater, surface water, and shorelines is eliminated. Funding is available to identify and repair septic systems to ensure that homeowners are not forced to sell their homes due to septic failures and the high cost of replacing failed systems. Regulations are in place to make available proven, safe, and technically feasible alternative septic systems. Public awareness and motivation is increased to solve septic system problems and protect the water supply. Organizational structures are created (such as a Public Utility District or like organization) to help facilitate local control and implementation of septic solutions and protect water supply. Homeowners are educated to maintain their septic systems properly. Recommendations · Require inspection/certification of septic systems when property is sold. · Require owners of gravity septic systems to have systems inspected every at least every five years, and pumped if necessary. · Require owners of alternative septic systems to file a notice to title that the system requires ongoing operation and maintenance. · Require owners of alternative septic systems to have a certified specialist inspect their septic system on a schedule recommended by the manufacturer, and consistent with Health Department recommendations for local site conditions. · Maintain King County/Groundwater Protection Committee’s regular groundwater monitoring program for nitrates and other potential septic system contaminants, and develop policies on their control. · Seek funding or other financial incentives to encourage low-income homeowners to fix failing or failed septic systems. · Work with SKCHD and DOH to assess the viability of new on-site septic treatment technologies for use on Vashon-Maury Island. · Institute technical assistance programs to assist property owners with maintenance of septic systems. · Support the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council Septic Solutions Committee’s effort to study the feasibility of a Public Utility District or like organization to manage septic issues locally for the Island. · Distribute educational materials that raise public awareness of septic concerns. · Assess the potential use of septic system waste as fuel for power generation as part of an alternative energy generation program. Section 4.8, Stormwater Standard development results in removal of vegetation, soil compaction, and the installation of impervious surface, altering the natural hydrology. Without stormwater controls, runoff enters streams and other waterways, where it causes flooding, erosion, changes in stream morphology, and reduces the amount of water that recharges the aquifer. Standard stormwater control facilities collect runoff in pipes, treat stormwater in engineered facilities, store runoff and release it at controlled rates. Unless soils on the development site drain well, less water enters the soil, groundwater recharge is reduced, and surface runoff volume increases. Natural Drainage Systems (NDS), also referred to as Low Impact Development (LID), are design technologies that aim to infiltrate, slow and filter stormwater. NDS include reduced impervious surface, grading techniques, use of swales for infiltration and conveyance, planting strips with enhanced soils and vegetation, underground rock and pipe infiltration galleries, and porous pavement, among other strategies. NDS provide water quality benefits, maximize aquifer recharge and base stream flow, seeking to preserve, restore, or mimic a site’s natural hydrologic function. Existing conditions/actions There are concentrations of impervious surface in the towns of Vashon, Burton, and Dockton, and in the area of Vashon High School, Sound Food, and the park and ride lot in that area. There are also isolated concentrations of impervious surface elsewhere on the island. Some examples are at the north and south end parking lots, and at the Vashon airport, which is not regulated by the county and is therefore not required to provide infiltration or detention when development occurs. Projected development is expected to create other concentrations of impervious surface. The E. Fork Judd Creek area is projected, at build-out, to be a large future effective impervious area (EIA) (Vashon Rapid Rural Reconnaissance (RRR), 2004). EIA in this area is projected to increase almost four-fold over the current level to 13.8%. In one sub basin of the Shinglemill watershed, which includes a portion of Vashon town center, the RRR projects, at build-out, a tripling of impervious surface to 9.9%. Overall EIA is projected to increase from 2.2 to 7.5% in Judd and from 2.0 to 6.9% in Shinglemill. Impervious surface is most concentrated in the town of Vashon, where runoff enters pipes that discharge into roadside ditches. These carry the runoff to Gorsuch, Judd and Shinglemill Creeks. A small fraction of surface water runoff enters the sewer system that serves the town. Infiltration through leaks in the sewer pipes collects a substantial amount of subsurface flow (Vashon Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities Plan Sewer System Evaluation Survey, 2002). An estimated 14 of the 130 developed properties within Vashon have flow control facilities that detain and slowly release stormwater runoff; fewer also have treatment facilities to remove some pollutants before stormwater is discharged. Many of the flow control facilities were installed 20-25 years ago, and “do little to mitigate the stormwater impacts from the developed area.” (Draft Vashon Town Center Stormwater Study, Steve Foley, Water and Land Resources Division, King County, October 8, 2002) County regulations affecting stormwater runoff are found in the Surface Water Design Manual and the King County Road Standards (Sections 2.01, 2.02 and 2.03). The county will be implementing some NDS requirements in January 2005. Desired outcomes In-site design for new and re-development, NDS measures are in place to limit impervious surfaces and manage stormwater flows to maximize the protection of surface and ground water quality and quantity, optimize base stream flows, protect receiving waters, and preserve or mimic a site’s natural predevelopment hydrology. Islanders know about, and choose to do NDS in commercial, industrial, and residential development, beyond regulatory requirements. There are no surface water flows into the sewer system in the town of Vashon, and infiltration into the sewer system is reduced. Runoff from land in agricultural use is managed under a farm plan using Best Management Practices (BMPS) and NDS technologies. The farm planning process is applied to existing uses. No roadside ditches are lost to highway improvements or new development. Our island retains its rural character with roadway design standards that are appropriate for rural communities and developments. Recommendations Draft stormwater recommendations were created but did not achieve consensus in time for this draft watershed plan. These recommendations will be considered in the Vashon public review process. Sec. 4.9, Pesticides A pesticide and fertilizers section was drafted, but did not achieve consensus in time for this draft watershed plan. This section is a priority on the Vashon-Maury Island Groundwater Protection Committee agenda for the current year. The Committee in its advisory role will forward its recommendations on this to the King County Council in 2006. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------