DEQ to release groundwater decision today
By LARRY KLINE - Independent Record - 03/04/08
The state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is set to release a preliminary decision today on the fate of the North Hills Controlled Groundwater Area — the latest step in a six-year fight among development interests and residents over water resources.
The agency could outlaw or restrict new wells in the 52-square-mile area in the north valley, or it could side with opponents to the designation, meaning new wells in the North Hills would have no more requirements than drillings elsewhere in the area.
Folks on both sides of the dispute will have three weeks to offer arguments on the decision. The DNRC’s hearing officer is then set to make a final decision April 25.
The arguments are simple, though the supporting information is complex.
Residents Ron and Vivian Drake and others argue that residential development in the area has overburdened groundwater supplies. More new wells, they say, will cause existing residents’ wells to dry up.
Their opponents, including the Helena Association of Realtors, contend the aquifer has ready supplies of water for existing and future residences. The argument boils down to conflicting data. The Drakes and fellow proponents have studied well-cuttings, pumping tests and precipitation information and concluded the groundwater beneath the North Hills is scarce and confined to narrow fractures in bedrock.
The opponents claim the Drakes and their experts don’t have enough information to accurately describe the aquifer. They also claim that proponents have underestimated the amount of rainwater that seeps into the ground and replenishes groundwater resources.
The controlled groundwater area was first instituted by the DNRC in 2002. New wells in the area had to be monitored and go through an additional permitting process.
In late 2006, the agency decided to lift the restriction, prompting litigation from the Drakes and their neighbors.
The DNRC re-instituted the rules early last year in an attempt to gather more information. The Drakes and their neighbors then agreed to drop their lawsuit.
Reporter Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com
The agency could outlaw or restrict new wells in the 52-square-mile area in the north valley, or it could side with opponents to the designation, meaning new wells in the North Hills would have no more requirements than drillings elsewhere in the area.
Folks on both sides of the dispute will have three weeks to offer arguments on the decision. The DNRC’s hearing officer is then set to make a final decision April 25.
The arguments are simple, though the supporting information is complex.
Residents Ron and Vivian Drake and others argue that residential development in the area has overburdened groundwater supplies. More new wells, they say, will cause existing residents’ wells to dry up.
Their opponents, including the Helena Association of Realtors, contend the aquifer has ready supplies of water for existing and future residences. The argument boils down to conflicting data. The Drakes and fellow proponents have studied well-cuttings, pumping tests and precipitation information and concluded the groundwater beneath the North Hills is scarce and confined to narrow fractures in bedrock.
The opponents claim the Drakes and their experts don’t have enough information to accurately describe the aquifer. They also claim that proponents have underestimated the amount of rainwater that seeps into the ground and replenishes groundwater resources.
The controlled groundwater area was first instituted by the DNRC in 2002. New wells in the area had to be monitored and go through an additional permitting process.
In late 2006, the agency decided to lift the restriction, prompting litigation from the Drakes and their neighbors.
The DNRC re-instituted the rules early last year in an attempt to gather more information. The Drakes and their neighbors then agreed to drop their lawsuit.
Reporter Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com
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Reader Comments:
attilla wrote on Mar 5, 2008 3:42 PM:
" Not that you could have read it in the IR, but the DNRC ruled against the Drakes. Odd that the IR would fail to report the decision. Yes, that was tongue in cheek. "
attilla wrote on Mar 4, 2008 3:09 PM:
" Wow, not only was it headlined wrong, but the writer completely forgot to mention the fact that the Bureau of Mines did a very in-depth two year study on the area. Why would the IR fail to mention that this study supports the Realtor's claims? Inept reporting, or extreme bias? This study very clearly showed that precipitation (or lack thereof) had a much larger impact on aquifer levels than homes did. Further, the study showed that homes in the area only use approximately 4% of the available groundwater. Even further, there has never been a well in the area that went completely dry. Yes, there were some marginal wells that during the drought had to be drilled deeper, but ALL were able to reach water. "
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IR editor wrote on Mar 5, 2008 7:51 PM: