Voters in the Lower Snoqualmie Valley overwhelmingly approved the first irrigation district in the Valley, Snoqualmie Valley Watershed Improvement District, in November and the Metropolital King County Council approved its formation Dec. 7.
Irrigation districts are empowered to address a wide range of water-related issues facing agricultural landowners such as irrigation water rights, water supply, and agricultural drainage. To promote a comprehensive approach, state law has been modified over the years to allow these districts to address other watershed management issues, such as habitat restoration and water quality.
“For agriculture to thrive in the Snoqualmie Valley, landowners know they must work cooperatively to make better use of our limited water supply,” said Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance Executive Director Cynthia Krass.
The district also offers the promise of better tools for managing agricultural drainage.
The decision to form the district was put before landowners last month, along with their options for commissioners. Siri Erickson-Brown, Local Roots Farm, Jason Roetcisoender, Green Acres Dairy, Gary Remlinger, Remlinger Farms, Patrick McGlothlin, Goose and Gander Farm, and David Andrews were elected as the district’s charter board of directors.
“The election results show that we are an active agricultural community with a desire to work together to address our challenges,” said Erickson-Brown, who received the highest number of votes for commissioner.
The district represents roughly 300 property owners and about 14,000 acres in the Snoqualmie Valley and county Agricultural Production District.
“It’s great to see the farmers continue working and gaining better access to tools for solving the resource management issues they face,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert.
The district board will announce meetings, on its Web page, www.svpa.us/watershed-improvement-district.
The Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance is a Valley-based nonprofit that facilitated formation of the district on behalf of the landowners.
