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Lawmakers pressed Ecology on drought fund use and federal data gaps as staff warned of monitoring vulnerabilities
Summary
During the committee hearing Ecology officials said drought response funding has been used for basin projects this year, highlighted vulnerabilities in federal monitoring networks (NRCS SNOTEL, USGS gauges), and noted statutory limits (one transfer per fiscal year) that could complicate repeated emergency top-ups.
Department of Ecology staff told the joint committee that the state's Drought Emergency Response Grant and the drought emergency response account were used this year to support projects in the Yakima and Dungeness basins, and that Ecology currently expects available funds to cover anticipated winter applications.
Caroline Mellor said statutory changes in 2023 (HB 1138) made emergency response funding accessible upon a drought declaration; she warned the statute also limits the drought account to one transfer…
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