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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb 2002 Watershed PlanningWATERSHED P 0 February, 2002 Inside this Issue The watershed 1 Management Act Purpose What Participating 2 Citizens Say Meeting 7irme & 2 t Location < Upcoming issues 2 Mat's Been Done & 2 What's Next ®� Future Newsletters l Water Quantity lnstream Flows Water Rights & Water Law 9 efl.IIM sh9 Water Quality E7 •..:,otif#+� >La%�;ihe Courtty, S►mpsoh �Timber..lA�e won � solution -until we have a community solution..." 1� came toe wat�t� 9! Kerry Holm, Port of4 oodsport THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ACT PURPOSE: In 1998, the Washington State Legisla- GOALS: Under law, citizens, local governments, ture passed the Watershed Management Act (Chapter tribes, and other members of a planning unit must 90.82 RCW)! "...to develop a more thorough and coop - assess water resources and needs, then theyrecom- erative method of determining the current water situa - mend management strategies. Beyond that, the Dian- tion in each water resource inventory area (WRIA) of ning unit has quite a bit of flexibility to determine the the state and to provide local citizens with the maxi - planning process, and to focus on areas or elements mum possible input concerning their goals and objec -, of particular importance to local citizens. WRIA 16 tives." Each WRIA will define its preferred future for intends to address water quantity, water quality, habi- water management. tat and instream flows. It is interested in input from citizens and stakeholders inthe.WRIA 16 watershed The Act enables, but does not require, local region. "planning units" to form for the purpose of conducting assessment and planning. The bill also requires that CONSTRAINTS: The law also includes constraints the governments declare a lead agency, and that all on the activities of planning units. For example, the native American Tribes in and adjacent to the WRIA be planning unit does not have the authority to change invited to participate in the planning process. A Plan- existing laws, alter water rights or treaty rights, or re- Wing Unit for WRIA 16 was formed by Mason County quire an implementing agency to take an action (lead agency), Jefferson County, Gray's Harbor which it has not agreed to during development of the County, PUD #1, and the Skokomish Tribe for the plan. Dosewallips- Skokomish watersheds. These groups represent the Steering Committee.