2021-11-02 Meeting with Aspect ConsultingMeeting with Aspect Consulting
November 2, 2021
3:35 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Dan Haller and Jill Van Hulle of Aspect Consulting,
Erik Martin, Lara McRea, Tiffanie Morgan
Guest: Edna Fund, Eric Rosane
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Dan Haller and Jill Van Hulle of Aspect Consulting provided an overview about water banks. Jill noted
that Lewis County is home to four watersheds: WRIAs 26 (Cowlitz watershed), 23 (Chehalis watershed),
11 (Nisqually watershed) and 13 (Deschutes watershed).
Jill outlined the various water needs throughout Lewis County:
• Single domestic (exempt water use)
• Group domestic (small water systems)
• Municipal uses
• Agricultural uses
• Commercial uses
Dan outlined the implementation of water banks:
• Step one: Water right transfer tasks
• Step two: Trust water agreement tasks
• Step three: Water code adoption
• Step four: Outreach and training
Jill discussed water rights from the shuttering TransAlta site.
Jill said water rights are averaging $2,000 to $3,000 per acre-foot in Washington state. Dan said first-
come, first-served grant funding from the Department of Ecology will become available Nov. 17.
Commissioner Pollock noted that the county would have to return one-third of water rights back to the
state under the grant.
Erik Martin suggested reaching out to the PA’s Office to determine whether there is staffing available to
work on an additional special project.
Dan said DOE set aside $14 million, with each county able to request a maximum of $2 million. He
suggested the county consider issuing a letter of interest.
Meeting adjourned at 4:13 p.m.