PORT TOWNSEND — Marrowstone Island is entitled to a public water system.
So ruled visiting Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams, setting back a citizens group trying to stall a water pipeline to the island.
Williams’ ruling, unless appealed, clears the way for the PUD to pipe fresh water onto Marrowstone Island, cutting reliance on private water wells that are being fouled by sea water.
The matter was taken to court last May when a group of citizens, Conserve Water First, filed suit against the Jefferson County Public Utility District to stop the pipeline project.
Conserve Water First is led by Marrowstone residents Carrie and Rex Rice, and Wayne and Nicole Chimenti.
Intervening on behalf of the PUD was another citizens group, Water for Marrowstone, led by residents Ralph and Anne Rush, and Kelly and Gloria Hays.
“We’re obviously pleased,” PUD attorney Mary Winters said.
“The judge had done an excellent job of understanding the arguments of both parties and came to a fair and right decision.”
The opponents of the project have 30 days to appeal their lawsuit.
The attorney representing the Conserve Water First group did not return phone calls requesting comment.
The citizens group claimed the PUD violated the public process by improperly calculating the percentage of property owners who voted against the project in a poll taken just before commissioners approved the project in early 2004.
“Within a representative form of government, (PUD officials) are allowed to make such choices, so long as they follow the procedures required,” Williams said in his order.
“This they have done.”