Questions abound over Tethys water contract

The meeting was organized by a Sierra Club committee called "Defending Water in the Skagit River Basin." The meeting organizer, Sandra Spargo, included three scientists on the program to discuss the Skagit River, as well as City Council member Erica Pickett.

Pickett made a brief presentation outlining the history of the city's water utility, which sells water to La Conner, Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Skagit PUD, as well as Anacortes residents and businesses.

But, what drew the most questions was the city's agreement to sell 5-million gallons of water per day to Tethys Enterprises of Everett and Pickett had few answers. She said their plan is largely unknown.

Some questioned why the city entered the agreement without public comment. Others asked just what the city would receive in exchange for the sale of what many thought was a large amount of water. Pickett seemed surprised at that last question. Her answer, "We'll be getting jobs."

Pickett made the point, "People have to earn a living if we're going to have children live here."

Pickett said, "We will be moving to an economy where oil is less important. There are ramifications for employment," referring to the two oil refineries at March's Point.

Earlier, when this reporter asked Mayor Dean Maxwell about the contract, he answered, "There's no downside to it." Clearly, the city sees the agreement to sell water to Tethys the same as selling water to any other business or resident. In fact, the city's water utility may not be able to refuse to sell water to anyone in their service area.

Another question was, "Just how long does Tethys have to do whatever they're going to do. City Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer answered that, under the agreement, it could stretch out to 6 years before something concrete happens.

The meeting was the first public forum to discuss the agreement. When it came to City Council last September, there was no public hearing, largely because no public hearing is required when the city's water utility agrees to deliver water to a customer.