DNR water transfer near Quincy opposed

QUINCY — Grant County residents are protesting a proposed transfer of water from a plot of land owned by the Department of Natural Resources.

The group met with the Grant County Water Conservancy board Thursday. The board is reviewing an application to transfer water from a DNR owned 353 acre lot on Adams Road near Quincy, to a 160 acre privately-owned property across the street.

DNR is allowed to pump 1,260 acre feet of water per year from two wells on their property, according to the application. The company leasing the property switched from growing apples to growing grapes. DNR claims the change saved water and wants to sell the excess.

Robert Rolfness, a water conservancy board member, said DNR plans on selling the excess water so they wouldn’t lose the rights to it.

Several landowners were concerned about the amount of water in the area. They said the DNR hadn’t used all of the water and were worried more water would be pumped because of the change.

Resident Deborah Frost said she’s conserved water and is concerned about how the change would affect her neighbors.

“I haven’t even planted flowers or grass or anything,” she said. “I’d rather have my water then have a pretty yard … If he’s going to be taking more water from these people, so they can’t wash their clothes or whatever and their wells are going to dry up then that’s really an issue.”

Board member Ron Baker said they couldn’t take more water then what was on the original certificate.

Jim Fleming, who lives in the area, said he didn’t believe they used all of their allotted water in the area in 15 years.

“So in that respect, if they want to transfer half of it to another 150 acres of grapes, because it doesn’t take quite as much water … its never been fully used.”

Baker said the board would review water usage in the area and adjust the amount of water that could be taken. It depends on if the DNR hadn’t used all of their water right.

“It’s not uncommon for us to reduce the amount of water in the transfer process,” he said.

James McCreary, a resident who lives in the area, questioned how they could know how much water was taken. He said there weren’t any meters on the wells. Another area resident, Scott Gerrits concurred.

Board member Keith Ellis said they would look at how much of the water is used for the public’s benefit. They would check electricity usage to see how much was pumped.

The board plans on having a decision by the end of the month, Baker said.