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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: August 14, 2023 <br />TOPIC: Water Right Change Application <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direction to staff <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Arden Thomas <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct staff to submit the Water Right Change Application <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• In 2018, Kittitas County purchased real and appurtenant water rights. <br />• Solid Waste is developing the site and no longer needs the water rights. <br />• Public Works has prepared a water change application, which is required to <br />change the purpose and use of the water right to instream flow and mitigation and <br />placing the water right in the state trust water right program. <br />• Previous Water Right change applications have been signed by a County <br />Commissioner. <br />• Public Works staff recommends first offering the water right to City of Kittitas for <br />purchase to support their long-term water needs before moving the water right <br />into our existing water right portfolio. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />In 2018, Kittitas County Solid Waste Department purchased real property (parcel <br />611033, US 97/01d Highway 10) and appurtenant water rights. Solid Waste is developing <br />the site and no longer needs the appurtenant water rights. Public Works has prepared a <br />water change application, which is required to change the purpose and use of the water <br />right to instream flow and mitigation and placing the water right in the state trust water <br />right program. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Previous Water Right change applications have been signed by a County Commissioner. <br />Public Works staff recommends first offering the water right to City of Kittitas for <br />purchase to support their long-term water needs before moving the water right into our <br />water right portfolio. The City of Kittitas is currently working on identing their full <br />mitigation needs. If the City of Kittitas is not interested in purchasing the water, then <br />Public Works recommends marketing the water through the County's mitigation bank. <br />Page 1 of 3 <br />PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />