WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY PUBLIC NOTICE FOR STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT February 24, 2026: The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks comments on a State Environmental Policy Act Determination of Nonsignificance issued under WAC 197-11-340(2) for the Auvil Orondo Ranches Water Bank. Proposal: The following actions will result in creation of a private water bank: 1. 30 applications to change existing water rights, accepted by the Douglas County Water Conservancy Board on 12/08/2025, which will, if approved, result in the creation of trust water rights 2. 6 applications for new water right permits, accepted by Ecology on 01/23/2026, to be mitigated by the trust water rights created through approval of the change applications. 3. A water banking agreement between Ecology and the Proponents that will document the terms under which Ecology will hold the trust water rights in the State Trust Water Rights Program and process applications for new permits mitigated by the water bank Location of proposal: At and around 21902 State Highway 97, Orondo, Douglas County, Washington Proponents: AFC Ranch 1, LLC; AFC Ranch 3, LLC; AFC Ranch 5, LLC; and AFC Ranch 7, LLC; all Washington limited liability companies managed by Auvil Fruit, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Applicants) Lead Agency: Washington State Department of Ecology To request more information contact: Scott Turner at Scott.Turner@ecy.wa.gov or call (509) 454-4238 Submit Comments to Scott Turner at Scott.Turner@ecy.wa.gov or Department of Ecology, Office of Columbia River, 1250 W. Alder Street, Union Gap, WA 98903-0009. Comments must be submitted by March 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM. IPL0315759 Feb 25 2026