Affects Laguna, Cove West

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District learned their boundaries for their tax base are incorrect.

The irrigation district hired Attorney Chris Ries to determine what properties are included in their boundaries.

Ries said he presented a map of what the boundaries should be to the irrigation district during their last meeting. He explained he researched several documents and worked with a surveyor to create a map.

In order for property to be within the boundary, they must petition the irrigation district to enter and receive their services. Ries said he found petition documents from 1928 to 1950 from property owners wanting to be within the boundaries and documents indicating they were approved. Afterward, until 1999, there are no records of landowners petitioning to be in the boundaries and no records of requests in the district’s meeting minutes, he said.

Ries explained there is potential that people petitioned to be allowed within the boundaries of the irrigation district during the years where there are no documented petitions, because it appears the documents may be missing.

Ries explained the majority of homes along the lake are still in the irrigation district’s boundaries. It appears property on Cove West and Laguna are the affected properties with no petition documentation, he said.

The revised map submitted by Ries during the district’s meeting was not adopted. It was discussed. The district will vote on adopting the new map at their next meeting in June.

For more information, call the irrigation district at 509-765-8716.