Agencies must prove they can work together on clean water

This editorial appears in the Nov. 17, 2009, Yakima Herald-Republic.

The fact that two state agencies responsible for clean water and livestock have agreed to a broad outline for coordinated regulation is good news for the Yakima Valley. It's a step in the right direction.

But the question still remains: Can water quality be enforced when multiple agencies are responsible? That remains to be seen.

Earlier this month, the departments of Ecology and Agriculture signed what has been termed a "roadmap" detailing their responsibilities in managing manure to avoid water pollution. The agreement followed months of discussion between the two agencies.

Ecology and Agriculture were previously stung by criticism over how they had handled complaints about water contamination due to possible infiltration from the discharge of manure from feedlots and dairies. This criticism came to light following a series of investigative stories by Leah Beth Ward, a reporter for this newspaper, which revealed widespread contamination of drinking-water wells in the Lower Valley.

The division of responsibilities for dealing with water quality complaints aligns with current enforcement duties for the two agencies. Ecology will focus on taking action against livestock operations that imperil human health or the environment. Agriculture will continue to work on its livestock nutrient management program -- ensuring that dairies maintain what it calls "best practices" for disposing manure.

The roadmap offers the hope of consistent oversight. That certainly has not been the state's track record in other areas, for example, handling the management of natural resources. In all, 14 different agencies claim some sort of responsibility. The governor has called for reforming this tangled web of management. That effort is still ongoing.

What the future holds is clearly in the hands of Ecology and Agriculture.

Coordinated enforcement must be achieved as it relates to the oversight of drinking-water wells. Residents living in the Lower Yakima Valley, as well as the livestock and dairy industries, can't afford to see this roadmap between the two agencies result in any more detours.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.