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Council backs language discouraging cross‑basin water diversions in National Forest plan
Summary
Council members who attended a cooperating-agency meeting proposed wording asking the Forest Service to discourage cross‑basin diversions to protect sole‑source aquifers; the council voted to forward the language as official comment.
Council members reported on their participation in a cooperating‑agency meeting for the National Forest Management Plan update and proposed language intended to discourage cross‑basin diversions that could impair sole‑source aquifers and water‑dependent ecosystems.
One councilor summarized the suggested insertion for the 'desired condition' section aimed at discouraging transfers: "discourage cross basin diversions in order not to impair the sole source aquifers," and the council discussed options to tighten language (for example, noting that diversions "could damage" aquifers) while acknowledging the Forest Service can choose how strongly to adopt such language.
Council moved to approve sending that recommended language and identified the contact person provided by the cooperating‑agency notice for formal submission. Council members said they believed the recommended language was sufficiently practical for the Forest Service process and directed staff to submit the comment packet.
