Permit-exempt wells question comes to county

A change in the law for permit-exempt wells in Washington is now in the hands of the Public Works Department in Whitman County. Its interpretation may affect future well-diggers on the Palouse.

An October decision by the Washington State Supreme Court, in the case of Whatcom County vs. Hirst, put this into motion. The ruling states that counties can no longer approve new development using permit-exempt wells if there is an impact to closed water bodies or impairment to instream flows.

Essentially, it decreed that counties cannot allow exceptions for wells.

“Closed should mean closed for everyb...