DETERMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL NONSIGNIFICANCE
The Public Utility District No.1 of Douglas County has entered a determination of environmental nonsignificance, (DNS), for the proposed action under the State Environmental Policy Act, (RCW 43.21C), as amended. The lead agency for this proposal has determined that the subject action does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under 43.21C.030(2)c. This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency.
This DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2); the lead agency shall not act on this proposal for 15 days from the date below. Written comments must be submitted by August 31st, 2026. Written comments should be submitted to John M. Brown, SEPA Official, Public Utility District No.1 of Douglas County, 1151 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee, WA 98802. Copies of the DNS, and Environmental Checklist can be obtained from the Public Utility District No.1 of Douglas County, 1151 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee, WA 98802 and linked below.
The issuance of the determination of environmental nonsignificance, for which notice is hereby given, is for the following action:
Public Utility District No.1 of Douglas County proposes to drill three exploratory geothermal water temperature wells in rural Douglas County. Each exploratory well will be drilled by a portable rotary or rock core drill rig with a derrick height of approximately 180’. Drilling will take place for approximately 60-90 days once installed on-site. Each drill pad will be approximately 175’x 200’ in dimension and one acre or less in size. Each drill pad will house a drill rig, crew quarters, tool trailer, power package, fuel tanks, parts house, pipe racks, mud pit and associated trucks and heavy equipment supporting the exploratory well drilling. The anticipated depths of the proposed exploration wells are 6,600 feet but will likely vary between 5,000 ft to 9,800 ft in depth
The proposed exploratory geothermal water temperature well drilling sites are located in three separate areas of rural Douglas County with no known addresses. The exploratory drill locations are found on tax parcel numbers 28281930002, which is found in Section 19, Township 28N., Range 28 E. Tax parcel number 28252020001, located in Section 20, Township 28N., Range 25 E and tax parcel number 21222230003, located in Section 22, Township 21N., Range 22 E. Access to tax parcel number 2828193002 is from Leahy Road South and Road 20 NE. Access to tax parcel number 28252020001 will be from Bridgeport Hill Road and Dyer Hill Road NE and access to parcel number 21222230003 is from State Route 28 onto Columbia View Orchard Road.
Dated this 29th day of July, 2026
Public Utility District No.1 of Douglas County, WA
John M. Brown
SEPA Official
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