Yelm Kicks off Water System Planning Process

"The City of Yelm invites all residents, businesses and water utility customers to a Public Open House on Wednesday, August 6th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Yelm Public Safety Building, 206 McKenzie Avenue SE.

This is the first of three open houses that will give Yelm citizens and utility customers an opportunity to provide input into the development of the City’s 2009 Water System Plan

This spring [2008] the City of Yelm is kicking off two projects to help ensure that a sustainable, high quality water supply will be available for current and future residents.
The first project will define city-wide goals for water use efficiency and the second project will produce an update to the City’s 2002 Water System Plan," quoting the city's website.

As one blog reader wrote yesterday about the city pursuing more water rights, "There is something here that makes me think Thurston County well-users should go to high alert."

Another commenter wrote about the same subject, "Dori Monson wrote on this issue in Seattle:
"Dori writes...

It's the last working farm in Seattle.

Lisa Sferra's family has had the farm for generations. They raise horses and other animals there - and provide a place for children and the young at heart to ride horses right in the middle of the city.

But the Sferras may be getting taxed out of their farm. Last year, their surface water tax was $881. This year, it's more than $8,200. They used to be taxed at a flat fee - but the city is now basing the tax on parcel size.

So, to "protect the environment" with surface water management, the city may be destroying the environment by forcing this family to sell to developers who will no doubt carve up the 20 acres into several buildable lots. Much more environmentally unfriendly - but it would generate a lot of tax dollars to the city and county.

Listen to my interview [KIRO-710's Monson] with Lisa Sferra - and also you can check out the photos Phil took when he visited this urban oasis this morning," quoting Dori's Blog [scroll to August 4, Urban Farming in Seattle].