PETITION TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT LINCOLN COUNTY’S WATER RESOURCES

A Request for Permanent Prohibition of Large-Scale Data Centers Where Sustainable Water and Environmental Capacity Cannot Be Demonstrated

To:
Lincoln County Board of Commissioners
Lincoln County Planning Commission
Lincoln County, Washington

RE: Protection of Lincoln County groundwater, aquifers, agriculture, residents, and environment from large-scale data-center development

We, the undersigned residents, property owners, farmers, businesses, and community members of Lincoln County, Washington, respectfully petition the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and Planning Commission to adopt permanent regulations prohibiting large-scale data-center development where adequate, sustainable water resources and environmental capacity cannot be demonstrated through independent scientific analysis.

We further request that the County deny any proposed data-center development that cannot demonstrate, through independent and scientifically defensible evidence, that its operation can occur without adversely affecting existing groundwater users, agricultural operations, private wells, surface water, wildlife, or the long-term availability of water for Lincoln County residents.

WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR THIS PROTECTION

1. LINCOLN COUNTY HAS ALREADY RECOGNIZED THAT DATA CENTERS REQUIRE ADDITIONAL REVIEW

In September 2026, Lincoln County enacted a six-month emergency moratorium on accepting permit applications for qualifying data centers and battery-energy-storage systems.

The County’s action prevents County employees from accepting or processing applications for covered facilities and prevents development approvals, building permits, occupancy permits, and business licenses from being issued during the moratorium. (The Odessa Record⁠)

This action demonstrates that the County recognizes that its existing regulations do not adequately address these emerging industrial uses.

We ask the County to use this opportunity not merely to create temporary regulations, but to establish permanent protections for Lincoln County’s water and environmental resources.

2. WATER MUST BE TREATED AS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE

A large-scale data center may require significant water depending upon its cooling technology, operating conditions, and design.

At present, there is not sufficient publicly documented information establishing that a particular proposed Lincoln County data center has a sustainable water source capable of supporting such a facility without affecting existing users.

That uncertainty is precisely why the County should require the developer to prove water availability before allowing development to proceed.

Washington law already requires applicants for buildings requiring potable water to provide evidence of an adequate water supply. Depending upon the circumstances, that evidence may include a water-right permit, documentation from an approved water purveyor, or other evidence sufficient to verify an adequate supply. (Washington State Legislature⁠)

For a project with potentially substantial water demand, however, merely demonstrating that water can technically be obtained should not be considered sufficient protection for the community.

The County should require proof that the water source is sustainable.

3. WE REQUEST AN INDEPENDENT GROUNDWATER STUDY

Before any large-scale data center is approved, we request an independent hydrogeological study addressing:

Existing groundwater levels;
Aquifer recharge rates;
Existing groundwater withdrawals;
Existing permitted water rights;
Private residential wells;
Agricultural wells and water use;
Seasonal groundwater fluctuations;
Drought conditions;
Climate-related changes in water availability;
The proposed facility’s maximum daily water consumption;
Annual water consumption;
Peak-season water consumption;
Water lost through evaporation;
Wastewater generation;
Water recycling and reuse;
Effects on neighboring wells;
Effects on surface water;
Cumulative impacts from other existing and proposed development; and
Long-term effects on the County’s groundwater resources.
The study should be conducted by an independent qualified hydrogeologist, selected or approved by Lincoln County rather than paid for and controlled solely by the project applicant.

4. LINCOLN COUNTY ALREADY RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS

Lincoln County’s existing critical-aquifer-recharge provisions recognize that certain development activities can potentially have adverse effects on groundwater.

The County’s code provides that development with potentially significant groundwater impacts may require a hydrogeological evaluation demonstrating that the proposed development will not degrade groundwater. (Lincoln County⁠)

Large-scale data centers should receive at least this level of scrutiny.

5. WE CANNOT REPLACE AN AQUIFER ONCE IT HAS BEEN DEPLETED OR CONTAMINATED

Lincoln County residents depend upon groundwater for homes, agriculture, livestock, businesses, and other essential uses.

A decision that permanently increases industrial demand on a limited groundwater resource should not be made solely on the basis of short-term economic benefits.

The County should first establish that sufficient water exists after accounting for existing users, agricultural needs, drought conditions, ecological requirements, and future community needs.

If that capacity cannot be scientifically demonstrated, the project should not be permitted.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS MUST BE CONSIDERED TOGETHER

Water consumption is only one potential impact.

Before approving any large-scale data center, Lincoln County should evaluate the facility’s cumulative environmental footprint, including:

Water

Groundwater withdrawals;
Aquifer recharge;
Surface water;
Private wells;
Agricultural water;
Wastewater;
Water loss through evaporation.
Land and environment

Land disturbance;
Wildlife habitat;
Agricultural land;
Vegetation removal;
Stormwater runoff;
Soil impacts;
Heat generation.
Community

Noise from cooling equipment;
Construction noise;
Traffic;
Road impacts;
Emergency-response requirements;
Light pollution;
Industrial appearance and land-use compatibility.
Energy and infrastructure

Electrical transmission infrastructure;
Substations;
Backup generators;
Fuel storage;
Air emissions;
Infrastructure costs.
These impacts should be evaluated cumulatively, rather than evaluated independently.

7. THE BURDEN OF PROOF SHOULD REST WITH THE DEVELOPER

Residents should not be required to prove that a proposed industrial facility will harm their water supply.

The applicant should be required to demonstrate that the project will not cause unacceptable impacts.

Before approval, the developer should be required to provide publicly available technical documentation establishing:

Where the facility’s water will come from;
How much water it will consume;
How much water it will consume during peak conditions;
Whether the source is groundwater or surface water;
The applicable water rights;
The aquifer and groundwater system involved;
Expected effects on groundwater levels;
Expected effects on neighboring wells;
Expected effects on agriculture;
Wastewater treatment and disposal methods;
Water recycling and conservation measures; and
Long-term plans for maintaining adequate water supplies.
8. PERMANENT PROTECTION SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON THE IDENTITY OF THE DEVELOPER

This petition is not directed at a particular company or individual.

It is about establishing a permanent standard for Lincoln County.

If a future data-center applicant can demonstrate through independent scientific evidence that its facility can operate without adversely affecting groundwater, surface water, agriculture, existing wells, and other essential resources, the County can evaluate that evidence under its permanent regulations.

But where sustainable capacity cannot be demonstrated, the County should prohibit the development.

WE THEREFORE PETITION LINCOLN COUNTY TO:

1. Permanently prohibit large-scale data centers in areas where sustainable water capacity cannot be demonstrated.

2. Require an independent hydrogeological study before any large-scale data-center application can be approved.

3. Require full disclosure of the proposed water source and all applicable water rights.

4. Require disclosure of projected water consumption, including maximum daily, monthly, annual, and peak-season demand.

5. Require analysis of potential impacts on private wells, agricultural wells, groundwater levels, aquifer recharge, and surface water.

6. Require cumulative-impact analysis that considers existing and reasonably foreseeable future development.

7. Require independent environmental review addressing water, wastewater, wildlife, agriculture, noise, air quality, land disturbance, traffic, energy infrastructure, and emergency response.

8. Require public disclosure of all technical studies and water-use information before any public hearing or approval.

9. Prohibit approval where scientific evidence demonstrates that the proposed facility would materially threaten the long-term availability or quality of groundwater or surface water.

10. Establish permanent data-center regulations that prioritize the long-term sustainability of Lincoln County’s water resources over short-term industrial development.

OUR POSITION

We are not opposed to responsible economic development.

We are opposed to development that has not demonstrated that it can coexist sustainably with the resources our community already depends upon.

Lincoln County’s groundwater belongs to the broader community—not to a single industrial user.

Before allowing a large-scale data center to establish a potentially substantial and permanent demand for water, Lincoln County should answer one fundamental question:

Does Lincoln County have enough sustainable water to support this type of industrial development without harming the people, farms, wells, ecosystems, and future generations that depend upon the same resource?

If that question cannot be answered with independent, scientifically defensible evidence, the development should not proceed.

We therefore respectfully request that Lincoln County adopt permanent protections prohibiting large-scale data centers where sustainable water and environmental capacity cannot be demonstrated.