Drat, another sunny day

DRY winter weather that killed the ski season may turn off the spigot at the water park this summer. Gov. Christine Gregoire's drought declaration puts the state on notice of dry times ahead.

Her announcement of a statewide drought emergency meant the official forecast is for 25 percent less water in lakes and streams this year. Expect worse, but that threshold triggers laws to provide regulatory relief for cities, businesses and farms. The grim reality is the state's March stream-flow forecasts pre-dict most Washington watersheds will have between 22 and 50 percent of normal water. This winter is competing for the driest on record.

Gregoire was also rallying ordinary citizens to cope with water shortages. Washington goes into the drought with the knowledge public response in past dry years has been outstanding.

Seattle used a combination of dutiful conservation, higher rates and new building codes to reduce consumption and keep it down. All that bodes well for this year.

Seattle, Tacoma and Everett water systems have been holding back water this winter in the face of light snowpacks. With the slightest break in the weather, the water held in storage and reduced water use could see them through summer.

The region could only pull the rabbit out of the hat once. A second dry winter with no opportunity to accumulate a reserve would be devastating.

The real juggling act will occur east of the mountains, as irrigation districts activate plans to buy water and move it to needy growers. The Ecology Department is also initiating water-rights leasing plans successfully used in past droughts.

The Bureau of Reclamation estimates Yakima Irrigation Project holders of junior water rights may receive only 34 percent of normal supply, according to the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Washington faces a sobering fire season. The state Department of Natural Resources reports fire conditions are a month to six weeks ahead of schedule. By the Fourth of July, the woodlands around the state will be as parched as they normally are by mid-August.

Gregoire's declaration is a heads-up for the Legislature. The key is advanced preparation.

The Ecology Department needs the funds to make water transfers workable and provide financial assistance. Providing the Department of Natural Resources with enough money to prepare to fight fires is as vital as paying the bill after the fires are out.

Washington is short on water, but not the time to look ahead. Prior planning and timely infusion of tax dollars can stretch a scarce resource.