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Residents urge a water-resources specialist as county weighs staffing and funding options
Summary
At a Clallam County town hall, residents and county officials debated a Charter Review Commission recommendation to create or retain a water-resources specialist; supporters cited drought and monitoring needs while others pressed on cost, departmental placement and whether grant-funded or restructured staffing could meet the need.
Clallam County held a town hall to gather public input on a Charter Review Commission recommendation to retain or create a water-resources specialist in the Department of Community Development.
Many residents told commissioners they support a dedicated water manager. "I am definitely in support of it," said Laurel Vargas, a Port Angeles resident who cited drought conditions and declining snowpack. Carla Rogers, who said she lived 40 years in California, told the board, "I think this is the right time ... for us to start working on it," arguing a focused coordinator could warn the county before shortages become crises.
Speakers and commissioners discussed where such a role should sit and how it should be funded. Bruce Emery, director of the Department of Community Development, said there is value in a position tasked with water resources but that "I do not agree necessarily that it requires an amendment to the charter." Emery suggested embedding policy in the county's comprehensive plan and using coordinated monitoring, possibly with volunteers and partner agencies, to track groundwater and aquifer behavior.
Several public commenters pushed alternatives to a new, permanent FTE. Renee, a Clallam County resident, said the county should consider existing offices, including the public utility district (PUD), and prioritize experience: "I hope the position is based upon experience and is a hire and not an elected position." Commissioners noted past county hydrologist positions and asked whether recruiting someone with the right hydrology skill set or elevating existing roles could provide the same benefit.
Technical constraints and interagency approvals came up in discussion of a newly drilled deep PUD well. Commissioner Ozias said Ecology has limited allowed withdrawals because the county has not yet produced data convincing the state the deep-well withdrawals would not impact upper aquifers; the PUD currently holds a restricted water right while mitigation and negotiations continue.
On funding, county staff and commissioners pointed to grants tied to WRIA implementation projects as a short-term path to staff support while warning that grant funding can be temporary. Emery said grant opportunities could support project staffing but that a long-term county choice would be required for a permanent position.
Why this matters: Commenters stressed that water underpins development, agriculture and community services; the board must weigh scientific data, interagency constraints, staffing realities and fiscal limits before deciding whether to adopt a charter change, create an ordinance or rely on grant-supported/project-based staffing.
The board did not take formal action at the meeting; commissioners will consider the public input along with technical materials and existing WRIA implementation plans before deciding next steps.
