Legislators back Marrowstone water plan

The following article appeared in the April 19, 2006 Jefferson County edition of the Peninsula Daily News.

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Legislators back Marrowstone water plan

By Jeff Chew
Peninsula Daily News

PORT TOWNSEND — Two state lawmakers representing the North Olympic Peninsula say they favor a Jefferson County Public Utillity District water system for Marrowstone Island.

State Sen. Jim Hargrove and Rep. Lynn Kessler, both Hoquiam Democrats, urged Jefferson County Hearing Examiner Irv Bertig to approve the Public Utility DIstrict's application for a shoreline substantial development permit that would allow the agency to install water pipes along Marrowstone roads nearest to the shore.

"Residents of Marrowstone have been in dire need of potable water for an extensive period of time," the lawmakers wrote to Bertig.

"The lack of water for these families, including a number of children, has become a public health issue and a serious concern."

"They've had to drive great distances and endure exceptional sacrifices in order to obtain water for essential needs."

"Granting this application is a small step toward ensuring that the Marrowstone families are getting the water they desperately need."

A death in the family forced Bertig to postpone a shoreline permit hearing Tuesday on the Public Utility District's proposed water system for Marrowstone Island.

The hearing is yet to be rescheduled.

House Majority Leader Kessler and Hargrove state that water "is a necessity everyone deserves access to."

Discrict Commissioner Wayne King of Gardiner said he was pleased to see the letter supporting the project.

"We're just trying to get water out there to those people," King said.

"That's what our job is."

King said the Public Utility District is working to establish a reverse osmosis system to convert saltwater to freshwater, and he cited the district's purchase last year of Peterson Lake as a reservoir to meet future district needs.

Some 100 wells of the estimated 500 on Marrowstone are either dry or contaminated by saltwater intrusion, which is a growing problem.

As planned, water lines will be extended the full length of Flagler Road, district officials said.

After the Flagler Road backbone is in place, the lines will be extended to the county roads, which are easily accessible from Flagler Road.

The project would be complete after lines are installed on all county roads not already constructed and on private roads that include easements.

Utility district officials have had wetlands delineated on the island where the pipeline will run.

The district built a water reservoir to also provide water to the state park during a fire and as a backup to Marrowstone residents in case of a water shortage.

The proposed project would bring water to about 300 homes on the island.

Utility district officials have reapplied for county and state permits after prevailing over a lawsuit filed by a group of residents opposed to the project.

Utility district officials are also beginning construction of a well near Jefferson County Airport.