Join BCC on September 9^th and 23^rd at city hall to remind our elected officials
about the paramount importance of protecting Bainbridge Island’s Aquifers

Starting on September 9^th and 23^rd there will be a series of demonstrations at city hall led by Bainbridge Conservation Coalition highlighting the importance of Bainbridge Island’s aquifers and how they would be impacted by the City of Bainbridge Island’s plans for massive up-zoning and continued growth. It’s not clear that our city council members are aware of these basic facts about the Island and its freshwater aquifers:

1. Massive up-zoning is not compatible with the sustainable management of Bainbridge Island’s freshwater aquifers. The City’s own modeling proves it.
2. Bainbridge Islanders are solely dependent upon rainwater charged aquifers for our domestic fresh water supply.
3. According to the USGS, only 5% of Bainbridge Island’s groundwater originates from the Kitsap Peninsula.
4. Bainbridge Island’s groundwater is a finite resource subject to degradation in terms of quantity and quality due to impacts associated with growth;
5. Pumping from shallow aquifers from growth adversely impacts streams and wetlands with low flows in the summer.
6. Bainbridge Island’s current comprehensive plan from 2016 is unequivocally committed to the sustainable management of the Island’s groundwater for both people and the natural environment.
7. Modeling by a City consultant shows concerning future drawdowns of the Island’s aquifers from increased growth and climate change;
8. The City of Bainbridge Island’s draft groundwater management plan (GWMP) prioritizes growth over long term groundwater sustainability, based on the City’s biased interpretation of the Growth Management Act;
9. Missing from the City’s GWMP: Any mention of the GMA’s requirement for the protection of groundwater resources.

Contact BCC at biconservationcoalition@gmail.com for more information.