Watershed
Planning Overview
Watershed Management Act
In 1998, the Legislature passed the Watershed Management Act
(ESHB 2514) to provide a framework for local citizens, interest groups and
government organizations to collaboratively identify and solve
water-related issues in each Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA).
Under the law, citizens, local governments, tribes, and other members
of a planning unit have considerable flexibility to determine the planning
process, focus on areas or elements of particular importance to local
citizens, assess water resources and needs, and recommend management
strategies.
The law requires that grant money be used to address water quantity
issues and provides the option of assessing water quality, fish habitat,
and instream flows. The initiating governments include county, city, water
supply utility, and tribal representatives. Funding is available through
the Department of Ecology in three phases:
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Phase 1, Organizing. Through a designated lead agency, the
initiating governments may apply for an initial organizing grant up to
$50,000 per WRIA or $75,000 for a multiple WRIA watershed management
area.
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Phase 2, Assessing. Once the organizational phase is completed, a
planning unit may apply for up to $200,000 per WRIA or $400,000 for a
multi- WRIA to fund watershed assessments.
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Phase 3, Planning. A planning unit may also apply for up to $250,000
per WRIA or $500,000 per multi-WRIA for the development of a Watershed
Management Plan. Phases 2 and 3 are to be completed within 4 years of
receiving Phase 2 funds. |
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Phase 4, Implementation. A planning unit may apply for $75,000
per WRIA or $125,000 per multi-WRIA for the implementation of a
Watershed Management Plan. |
The initiating governments are also
responsible for forming a planning unit to include broad representation of
water-resource interests in the watershed. Once the planning unit has been
formed, it is the planning unit that conducts Phase 2 & 3 and produces the
final watershed plan. Phase 4 implements the plan on-the-ground in the
watershed(s). The initiating governments become part of the planning
unit and, in so doing, have the same level of authority as all other members of
the unit.
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