AQUIFER DECLINES AND SCANT MODERN RECHARGE IN THE COLUMBIA BASIN GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA (GWMA) OF ADAMS, FRANKLIN, GRANT, AND LINCOLN COUNTIES, WASHINGTON

The Columbia Basin GWMA encompasses approximately 8,300 square miles in south-central Washington. This region hosts a large agricultural industry home to several hundred thousand people. With very few exceptions, much of the region relies almost completely on groundwater for industrial and potable supplies, and even a large portion of the irrigation needs. The central role of groundwater in the life of the Columbia Basin was one of the catalysts behind formation of GWMA. When first designated in February 1998 the goal of the GWMA was to define and implement on a local level actions designed to reduce nitrate-N concentrations in groundwater. In 2005 the GWMA charter was expanded to include all groundwater quality issues in its region. At the same time, GWMA began to become more involved in groundwater resource issues as concerns over declining well production and CRBG aquifer water levels mounted, especially in the Odessa Sub-Areas.

The GWMA is a pro-active, voluntary, local planning effort. It is a forum for local citizens to develop locally based solutions to the groundwater issues and to lessen the need for mandated control measures. The GWMA is like so many other entities, agencies, and organizations involved in some way with water in the Pacific Northwest. The actions that GWMA leaders, citizens, and stakeholders must undertake to insure a healthy supply of water, all require the insight, support, and knowledge of the scientific community. The GWMA, and all of these local entities need the science to: (1) better evaluate changing aquifer conditions related to contamination, pumping, and recharge; (2) develop monitoring, modeling, and mitigation measures that address areas of concern and can be used to track improvements in the aquifer system as a result in changes in resource management, and (3) prioritize resources to be used to address ground water resource concerns. To do that the scientific community must help GWMA, and groups like GWMA, identify tools to use to tackle issues, and to do that the scientific community must be engaged with us, and with each other.