Watershed group thinks state failed:
Unhappy with permit for town wells

By TAMARA RACE
The Patriot Ledger

February 02, 2007

PLYMOUTH - The Eel River Watershed Association has appealed a state permit allowing Plymouth to pump millions of gallons of water a year from the watershed to sprinkle on town ballfields and the town-owned Crosswinds Golf Course.

‘‘We’re not against water withdrawal in the watershed as long as safeguards are in place,’’ association President Mettie Whipple said. ‘‘This permit was issued with no environmental analysis and no safeguards to protect the river in drought conditions.’’

For years, the town - without a state permit - pumped millions of gallons of water from two wells to irrigate ballfields at Forges Field on Jordan Road and the Crosswinds course, which is on Long Pond Road.

A well drawing more than 100,000 gallons a day requires a state permit.

State environmental officials say they are in ‘‘enforcement negotiations’’ with the town regarding the past water usage but could not say if any penalty would result, Department of Environmental Protection spokeman Theresa Barao said.

In December, the DEP granted a permit allowing Plymouth to pump a total of 42 million gallons annually day from three wells on town property.

Two of the wells are at Crosswinds - one for irrigation and one for drinking water. The third, at Forges Field, is for irrigation. Use of the Crosswinds drinking-water well cannot exceed the 100,000-gallon ceiling, the permit says.

Whipple said the DEP ignored environmental regulations requiring the town to determine ‘‘safe yields,’’ or how much water can be drawn from the watershed in drought conditions without causing environmental damage.

Furthermore, she said, the permit does not require conservation measures such as water reuse, nor does it require that pumping be reduced or stopped if the water level in the river drops below a certain level.

The water level in the river was noticeably lower than normal when drought conditions existed several years ago, she said.

Putting a river at risk to irrigate ballfields and a golf course is irresponsible, Whipple said.

Given Plymouth’s rapid growth, water resource protection is important, she said.

She hopes town officials will negotiate a compromise with the DEP to protect the river.

‘‘I don’t think anyone wants to see the river run dry,’’ Whipple said.

Barao said the appeal places a hold on the permit until the matter is resolved.

Tamara Race may be reached at trace@ledger.com .

Copyright 2007 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Friday, February 02, 2007