2021-04-12-minutes-public-works-study-session

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understanding of hydrologic cycle processes and their variability due to locale, season, and climate. We routinely conduct watershed studies, develop water balances, and evaluate surface waterto groundwater interactions. We routinely get involved in a wide range of hydrologic investigations and understand how to adjust the scope to meet specific project objectives. Aspect has provided the following Hydrogeology Investigation services for Kittitas County: • Delineation and rationale of the separate bodies of public groundwater located throughout upper and lower Kittitas County, consistent with Ecology current policy and guidance documents Investigation of the physical availability of groundwater and seasonally reliability of tributary surface water • Determination of impairment, including pumping interference impacts to nearby permit and permit -exempt groundwater wells, depletion to nearby surface water, and, in consultation with basin stakeholders, impacts to Endangered Species Act -listed fish • Determination of water right mitigation suitability for both main -stem Yakima River and tributary water rights 2. Experience Working with Ecology WaterRights Division Securing Wafter Rights and Transfers for Clients Aspect provides expert services on water right acquisition projects throughout Washington State. We bring strong project management skills, deep regulatory and policy experience, and water resource science and engineering expertise. We flex these core technical strengths regularly on complementary work for local governments and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to help them complete intricate water right acquisitions. Our extensive water right knowledge is coupled with our multidisciplinary experience drawn from projects directly relevant to the Department of Ecology's (Ecology) Water Resources Program and management of the State's Trust Water Right Program (TWRP), Our team also has over 15 years of experience with Ecology's Cost Reimbursement Program contract, exemplifying our strong background and consistent performance. Aspect's level of expertise is unmatched in the development and implementation of complex and innovative water right acquisition projects. Our notable attributes relative to this RFQ include: • Thousands of Water Rights Projects In the last Decade. We bring a foundation of thousands of water right evaluations in the last 10 years, and a proven track record with Ecology staff in all four regional offices. Aspect has completed projects ranging from a simple temporary donation of a smaIt irrigation water right for a fraction of a cubic foot per second (cfs) to the complex facilitation, environmental and water right permitting, monitoring, and tong -term trust water right strategy for re -operation of the Alpine Lakes that could double flows in Icicle Creek. Institutional Knowledge of the Water Code. Aspect has a detailed understanding of Washington water code and case law along with and Ecology's water resource policy, guidance documents, and procedures, including those specific to acquisition of water rights under both RCW 90.38 and 90.42 TWRP statutes. • Strong Working Relationship with Ecology. Our team members have a long history of working with Ecology's Water Resource Program. This includes water rights processing and trust water right transactions; negotiations and technical support on behalf of public and private parties seeking water right transfers and new water rights; water bank development and management; development of WRIA-, basin-, and tributary -scale water management solutions; and serving as expert witnesses in Ecology appeals. Aspect's Water Rights Support for Kittitas County has included the following projects: • Facilitated numerous Pre -Application and Technical Assistance meetings with Ecology, including presentation to Yakima River Basin co -managers that included the Water Transfer Working Group