Arden Thomas, Kittitas County water resources manager, asked the Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 23 for direction to submit a letter to the Washington Department of Ecology (Office of Columbia River) seeking technical review of whether a long‑standing change application in the Vantage area could be assigned to the county.

Thomas said the application — filed in the 1980s and described in the record as among the most senior change applications in the Office of Columbia River’s queue — has no specific development plan tied to it. "By partnering with the county, we would enable that," Thomas said, explaining assignment could allow Ecology to process the right for a general development scheme that could serve the applicant's property and other parcels and provide mitigation options for future development.

He cautioned that assignment would commit the county to an annual mitigation fee tied to the amount of water authorized for mitigation, and estimated that fee in the "realm of 17 to $30,000 per year." Until water users are paying, Thomas said those costs would be borne by the county water fund, which has sufficient fund balance to absorb the expense in the near term.

Thomas also flagged local concerns about market concentration in the Vantage area: "Right now, there's only 1 source of water rights and 1 water system provider, and that is a private company," he said, noting the county’s interest in expanding options for residents.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about land‑use designations and how the letter should refer to the unincorporated town; staff said they would verify terminology to avoid unintended legal consequences and return with a refined letter if directed. The board did not take formal action at the study session but indicated staff may proceed to coordinate with Ecology pending any requested edits to the draft letter.