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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRivers for Life Vol. 2 No. 3FOR LIFE 1111 Watershed Planning in WRIA 16 Vol. 2 No. 3 ash9 '? F Vita/ to Your Future Here's why... 1. Local citizens and governments will set priorities and develop the Watershed Plan. The people who live and work in the watershed have practical knowledge of the water resources, the people— their needs, values and aspirations— and the environment. They have the biggest stake in the wise, long -term management of the a rea's water resources. 2 The plan will guide local and State management of water resources, and other related resources. For example, the Dept. of Ecology will use the technical information on water quantity, and the recommenda- tions on priority areas for water rights, as guidelines when it makes new water rights decisions. The plan may also contain recommendations that would be used to guide funding priorities by the State Departments of: Natural Resources, Health, and Fish and Wildlife. 3. The plan will contain information that will be valu- able to local businesses. For example, information on water quantity can help identify the most cost - effective and sustainable places for new development, or new business sites. Information and recommendations to protect water quality will help sustain the health of Hood Canal, and the health of local rivers and streams. Good water quality is vital both to environmental health and to the economic health of local businesses and industries, e.g., shellfish, real estate, and recreation. It is more cost - effective to preserve water quality than to restore it. 4. The Plan will protect existing water rights; it cannot make any recommendations that would interfere with existing water rights. 4q Top Water Resource Priorities The Planning Unit is currently considering these three important issues: 1) water supply for the Brinnon area, 2) water quality for Hood Canal, with a focus on the extremely low dissolved oxygen levels, and 3) establishing stream flows to protect fish habitat. Water Supply in Brinnon Brinnon is projected to be one of the population growth areas in WRIA 16. It will need increased water supply, which almost certainly will be ground- water. The area's geology— 90% bedrock— and its geography= 90% national forest and park — limit the potential sources for the needed water supply. It's likely the water for new water rights will come from groundwater in the aquifers along the lower reaches of the Dosewallips River. The Planning Unit has contracted for a hydrology study to determine whether the groundwater in the area's aquifers is connected to the water in the Dose - wallips River. The Department of Ecology will use the results of the study when it processes pending, and new, water rights applications. Water Quality in Hood Canal, Low Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Hood Canal is critically important to residents, aquatic species, and businesses in the watershed. The options and recommendations in the Watershed Plan will reflect this. Although no one knows the exact cause of the ex- tremely low levels of dissolved oxygen that have oc- curred recently, we do know that freshwater flowing into Hood Canal affects near -shore marine water quality. Stream water carries mud and silt into the Canal during storms. It may also carry fecal coliform from flooded septic systems, fertilizer runoff from lawns and farms, and other pollutants. On Thursday, March 11, members of the WRIA 16 Planning Unit will join with WRIA 14 and 15, for a joint meeting to consider a coordinated regional watershed planning approach to the low-dissolved oxygen (DO) problem in the near -shore marine water of Lower Hood Canal. The box on the facing page contains information about this meeting. You are invited and welcome to attend. Front row: L to R Shannon Kirby, Mason Conservation District; Constance Ibsen, citi- zen, Lower Hood Canal Implementation Committee, Fran Arnold, citizen„ Dave Chris- tensen, Jefferson Co.. 2nd row, L -R, Bob Bar- nard, WDFW; Warren Dawes, rep. GMA ; Jeff Heins, Skokomish Tribe. Back row -L -R, Bob Fink, Mason Co. Planning Dept.; Steve Holloway, PUD# 1; Jason Manassee, Mason Co. Planning Dept.; Phil Wiatrak, Dept. of Ecology. Not shown, George Sickel, citizen, Brinnon. Establishing Streamflow to Insure Available Surface Water and Protect Habitat Salmon are important for environmental, eco- nomic and recreational purposes. The rivers and streams of WRIA 16 are important spawning and nursery sites for Coho, chum, pink and Chinook salmon. The Dosewallips and Duckabush Rivers provide some of the highest quality salmon habitat in the region. Recreationally important steelhead and cut- throat trout are also residents of WRIA 16. Each kind of salmond needs a certain amount of streamflow, i.e., water in the river, for each of the different stages in its life cycle— eggs, alevins, fry, parr, and smolt. The necessary amount of water must be available at the pre- cise time it's needed. If the needed water isn't in the river, the salmon population may suffer losses that threaten the population's sustain - ability. In considering whether or not to approve a water right application, the Department of Ecology considers the water source, and whether or not withdrawal would impact streamflow and be harmful to fish popula- tions. 2 Watershed Res ©urce Inventory Area b- Prggress 12eport, Spring, 2(304 Goals: 1 DetertniYie=the <ainount of surface wa- ter and ,ground water ,�available.'2 Develop rec- ornmendations'that insure water fair the future. Ace, omplishriwO 1: , Caleulat d.the. " amoun t of surf ace water that flows through rivers and stseazns. developed a: water ba�ance. 2. Idennufied ri?vt�.different patterns cif ho�v=ter levels teary in e four mjir: vier -- ote pane for rivers e byano ,pack, and.one for rioters fcd d rectly`byrairifall . 2 2. Wh nec- 3: Identified existing water rights and how much waterliar - been allocated. 3 3_ the 4. Estimated future water.demand based oxt popia- lation growth, pr ©jectons. 4 4 Vb hav, 5 Identified where :future gro wth - expected to be d d1e concentrated . south Shore, I:ower Skokoiriish and Bri=on area. 5 5. Wh watt 6 Contracted for ted ni ,also 6iii Bririnon .area. t ©.iTi estigaxe potential cortriections between � �11t e# aquifers and die. Dosewallips 'River. The Dept. G Goa1z of Ecalogywi7l use this information when it pr , w water' fE cesses new w ter rights . pplications for Brim 94.. iises,;an Vhat's Next? A Accorn I Complete hydrology study-in Bnrmon: Decem ber, ZQ04 wat 2. Consider option's for water, storage, e.g., ; n nit( Water Quantity and Water Quality Recommendations: Examples from the Quilcene -Snow Watershed Plan The Dosewallips- Skokomish watershed plan might include options and recommendations like these from the Quilcene -Snow Watershed Plan recently approved by the WRAI 17 Planning Unit. To insure sufficient water quantity for current and future needs. 1. Establish incentive -based water conservation pro- grams through water purveyors. Examples: Tiered rate structures that increase per -unit charge as water consumption increases. Summer surcharges for water use above a certain threshold during summer months when demand is highest. Rebates on water efficient appliances, espe- cially toilets. 2. Establish water conservation programs for rural resi- dents on individual wells. Education programs to encourage conserva- tion. Rebates on water- efficient appliances, espe- cially toilets. Other free or discounted water - saving prod- ucts— showerheads, faucet diffusers. 3. Increase public awareness and education on water use, e.g., chart individual water use on utility bills. 4. Identify where existing laws constrain wise water use and promote changes to these law. 5. Enforce existing laws and regulations regarding illegal water withdrawals. 6. Participate in water rights acquisition programs, in which water -right holders voluntarily dedicate the rights to maintain streamflow, restore habitat, and improve water qty. Sell all or part of a water right Lease all or part of a water right. Donate all or part of a water right. 7. Create a Water Conservancy Board that can accept or process applications to change or transfer water rights. To protect and enhance water quality: 1. Establish a special - purpose surface water management district to raise funds for projects and enforcement. 2. Continue Conservation District programs with land owners. 3. Reduce pesticide use through education and market - incentives, e.g., free advertising and promotion for EnviroStars businesses. 4. Reduce use and release of synthetic organic compounds, e.g., dioxins, and PCB's. 5. Adopt surface water management plans to decrease storm water impacts on nearshore marine water quality. Source: Watershed Management Plan for Quilcene -Snow Water Resource Inventory Area OMA 17), Oct. 28, 2003 Public Comment Contact Susan Gulick, (206) 548 -0469 Soundres@earthlink.net for more information 3 For more information, contact: WRIA 16 Coordinator` Susan Gulick, Sound Resolutions (206) 548 -0469 or Soundres @earthlink.net ww uissviveu uxygen- Regional Meeting for WRIAs 14, 15, & 16 Future Meeting Information 4 Dosewallips- Skokomish Watershed flan- Insert ning, Progress Report RIVERSFORUFEis designed and edited by Barbara Bowen, Natural Resources, Jefferson Co. If you have ideas for future issues, please contact Barbara at (360) 379 -4498 or bbowen @co jefferson.wa.us _3 You can get information on progress on water rights changes, water conservation, Washington water acquisition program and other water topics at:: http: / /www.ecy.wa.gov /programs /wr /wrhome. For information on agendas, contact: Susan Gulick, (206) 548 -0469, or Soundres @earthlink.net. 4