Drought declared

The State Department of Ecology has declared a drought emergency for most of Washington State, including Vashon-Maury Island, citing the state’s low snowpack and forecasts for a dry, warm spring and summer this year.

“With many watersheds already projecting low water supplies and planning for emergency water right transfers, Ecology declared a drought to make assistance available before those impacts become severe,” according to a press release.

The Seattle, Tacoma and Everett metro areas were excepted from the drought declaration because, as major metro areas, they have the infrastructure to store and manage enough water, according to Ecology.

In Washington, a drought is declared when there is less than 75% of normal water supply and there is a risk of undue hardship, according to Ecology. Declaring a drought emergency allows Ecology to distribute drought response grants and to process emergency water right permits and transfers.

For tips on conserving water, visit online.

Heritage museum receives grant

The Vashon Maury Island Heritage Association is a recipient of a recent round of Community Engagement grants by King County Local Services for volunteer-led community events and projects in the unincorporated county.

The Heritage Association’s $4,000 grant will help install interpretive outdoor educational signs for the Ellisport Hidden History Trail, which honors the history of Vashon’s Indigenous population.

Members of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians have reviewed and contributed to the project, according to King County, and each sign will include a QR code giving visitors Spanish and other translations.

The county awarded a total of $90,000 across 42 projects. Each earned an amount between $500 and $4,000, with a requirement that they match at least a quarter of the project cost and make the project accessible to all residents, regardless of race, income or language.