  |
|
|
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) is proposing to adopt two water resource management rules, one for the Lewis River Basin and one for the Salmon-Washougal River Basin (Water Resources Inventory Areas, WRIAs, 27 and 28). Ecology will hold three public hearings to receive comments on proposed WAC 173-527 (WRIA 27) and WAC 173-528 (WRIA 28). All attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide their comments on the proposed rules.
Includes links to: CR-101, CR-102 Rule proposal, Proposed rule text, Proposed repealer text, Preliminary cost benefit analysis, and Small business economic impact statement
|
August 26 – 7:00 pm Educational Services District 112 Clark & Pacific Rooms 2500 NE 65th Ave Vancouver WA |
August 27 – 7:00 pm Cowlitz Expo and Conference Center 1900 7th Ave. Longview WA |
August 28 – 7:00 pm Stevenson Community Library Library Gallery 120 N.W. Vancouver Ave. Stevenson, WA |
Please provide comments by close of business on Wednesday, September 10, 2008.
Written comments may be submitted to:
Travis Burns
Department of Ecology, Water Resources Program
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Phone: (360) 407-7207
FAX: (360) 407-7162
E-mail
tbur461@ecy.wa.gov
You may also submit comments online by filling out the on-line comment form.
The rules are based on recommendations made by the locally-led Watershed Planning Unit in their Watershed Management Plan, which was approved by Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania Counties in July 2006.
Ecology proposes to adopt water management rules based on the recommendations in the Watershed Management Plan. The key provisions include:
The Water Resources Inventory Areas 27 and 28 Planning Unit was formed in 1999, and met monthly through 2004. The Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board (LCFRB) was selected to serve as the lead agency, to receive and manage State grant money on behalf of the Planning Unit, and provide staffing and facilitation throughout the planning process.
The Lewis, Salmon-Washougal Watershed Plan (WRIA 27/28) addresses a range of issues related to water resources in WRIAs 27 and 28, including water supply, stream flow management, water quality, and fish habitat. It reviews alternative approaches for managing water resources in the area and recommends selected strategies for implementation.
In July 2006, county officials in Clark, Skamania, and Cowlitz counties approved the Watershed Plan, which included recommendations for instream flows.
|
Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs) 27 and 28 are located in southwest Washington State and comprise all of Clark County, southern Cowlitz County, and portions of western and north-central Skamania County, and a very small portion of Yakima County. A variety of needs must be met by surface and ground waters in this region of the state. This is primarily due to the wide range of land uses that span from public and private resource lands to rural mixed use lands to suburban and urban lands. Population in the region has been growing rapidly, creating a need for increased water supply. Clark County had the highest percentage population increase in the State (45 percent) between 1990 and 2000. Agricultural producers need continued access to water for irrigation and stock watering. Large industry facilities require water for their operations. Local streams provide habitat for fish species that have been listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and sustain non-listed fish and wildlife as well. The region’s rivers, streams, and lakes offer fishing, boating and other recreational opportunities and natural beauty for residents and visitors to the area. |
| Travis Burns Rulemaking, Water Resources Program Department of Ecology (360) 407-7207 tbur461@ecy.wa.gov |
Scott McKinney
|
Steve Manlow Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board (360) 425-1552 |
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
