Drayton WID Priorities, Goals, and Possible Actions

1. Water Quantity: water availability for agricultural use(irrigation, livestock, processing)

Goal: Farmers in the Drayton WID have secure (legal) access to sufficient water for agricultural uses

Actions: 

• (2019) Deep aquifer project - move beyond exploration to develop this as a potential new water source.

• (2019) Pursue additional legal options to move water around - spreading, piping, waterbank transfer      

• (2019) Address areas in Water Law that hinder conservation and BMPs (i.e. reliquishment, year-round closures,                 water use calculations.)

2. Water Quality

Goal: Agricultural activities in the Drayton WID do not cause water quality standards to be exceeded in                      surface water or groundwater bodies within the WID area.

Actions:

•  (2019) Continue with the ongoing water quality monitoring & response program

3. Communication, outreach, and education

Goal: Internal: WID members are aware of and understand the WID’s priority issues and they participate                                           actively in WID planning and implementation of priority actions.

          External: Non-agricultural residents in the WID area, other external stakeholders and relevant bodies &                                    agencies are aware of, understand and support the Drayton WID’s priority actions

Actions: 

• (2017) Developed a comprehensive plan for Drayton WID

• (2019) Coordinate with Ag Water Board to provide positive stories & correct information about agriculture

• (2019) Public relations....use Family Farmers to dispute information about farming

4. Agricultural field drainage

Goal: Drainage infrastructure and ditches in the Drayton WID are actively and effectively maintatined.

​Actions: 

• (2019) Develop 5 year plan for drainage

• (2019) Partner with DID #7 to implement drainage improvement and mitigation projects

5. Flood management

Goal: Agricultural lands in the Drayton WID are protected from flooding at critical times in the growing season.

6. Water flow processes; Habitats & species

Goal: The drayton WID's plans and actions help to protect and enhance water flow processes as well as fish and              wildlife habitats in watersheds within the Drayton WID area.

Actions: 

• (2019) Habitat - encourage restoration, culvert replacements, buffers, and other practices that

                  benefit fish habitat.

7. Agricultural protection (Protecting the agricultural industry)

Goal: The Drayton WID's plans and actions contribute to the recognition, protection and strengthening of the                     agricultural base in the WID area.