Gregoire sets up drought center, seeks more funds

OLYMPIA — Gov. Christine Gregoire, girding for the region's worst drought in 28 years, yesterday said an emergency command center will track and coordinate the state's response to this year's drought and make sure resources get where they are needed.

She ordered the National Guard to prepare for combating wildfires this summer and asked the Legislature to boost drought-related appropriations by $8.2 million.

"While water shortages won't affect all areas of the state in precisely the same way, it seems very likely that all areas of our state will experience at least some level of drought this year," Gregoire said.

As the Pacific Northwest awaits the worst drought since 1977, precipitation is at or near record lows across the state, and mountain snowpack averages are running 26 percent of normal. Many rivers are at or near record lows for this time of year.

The water shortage hurts farmers, hydroelectric-power production, fish production, irrigation and other sectors of the region's agribusiness economy — and has people worried about an unusually bad fire season.

The drought is plaguing Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

Gregoire's emergency declaration authorizes the state Department of Ecology to issue emergency water permits and temporary transfers of water rights, and releases money from the state's Drought Emergency Account.

Ecology Director Jay Manning said his agency will focus on helping farmers, communities and streams get the water they need.

"Unfortunately, I cannot promise that everyone will get all the water they want," Manning said. "In some cases, we will be able to provide only enough water for people to get by."