One of the first licensees to grow marijuana in Washington was near Sequim, not far from here. There is now a debate on how much they should pay for water. Marijuana is not a water intensive crop, so the requirements are pretty small, since they are growing in their barn. We’re not talking acres or sections here.
A farm in Sequim pays a thousand dollars a year for water, similar in other communities on the Olympic Peninsula.
The Olympic Peninsula is the rainiest spot in the lower 48. Forks, for instance, is usually considered the wettest town; the Olympic Rain Forest is an important ecosystem. 10 feet of rain falls on the mountains each year, over 200 days a year. So why does a farmer have to pay for water for a crop gown in a barn?
The rain hits the Olympic Mountains and it’s only hours before it reaches the sea. The national park and adjoining wilderness area precludes reservoirs. The rivers draining the mountains are basically reserved for fish.
Humans get what’s left over, and that is really small. So small that most communities prohibit any more people because of the water supply.
The rainiest spot in the country has a water shortage.
By choice.