By Sharon Michael, The Chronicle, 4/25/98
ROCHESTER - The fledgling Chehalis Basin Watershed Management Partnership is at a crossroads.
The unofficial group of cities, counties, tribes, and other government and private groups interested in the environmental, social and economic health of the Upper and Lower Chehalis River basins has been meeting since last fall.
Now the loose-knit, diverse group must decide if it wants to continue to operate as an educational, informational exchange, or form an official watershed group under state law and commit to working together on watershed improvements.
The first agenda item at a Friday meeting was review of a draft intergovernmental agreement (to read click here) that would set the partnership's course.
Chairman Dick Nichols, a Thurston County commissioner, requested members ask their lawyers to examine the agreement and decide which version they prefer.
"We want to get it adopted in the next couple of months," he said. "Until we do, we don't formally exist."
Most members seemed to favor a legal organization that would enable them to compete for state money for watershed planning, assessment and development projects. But some also were concerned state money and the requirement to meet grant requirements might divert the group from its original purpose and limit its activities.
"We need to decide what we want to do - not just pursue grant money," Nichols advised.
Electing to operate as a statutory watershed group would commit the partnership to an action plan to identify and evaluate issues, and to develop a watershed management plan.
Dr. C.S. Sodhi, the Chehalis Tribe's director of natural resources, favored taking action on watershed issues. But he wanted assurances the group would not be limited to those issues.
"We're here to work on other things as well," Sodhi told state Department of Ecology representative Laura Lowe.
The availability of nearly $4 million in state money is pushing the group to decide its course before a June 1 grant application deadline. The state Department of Ecology must award $1.4 million by June 30.
The partnership submitted a grant application to Ecology last year, but the agency lost its grant money in a legal dispute between the legislative and executive branches.
Marc Duboiski, Lewis County shorelines administrator, wrote the previous grant. Lewis County is the lead agency for the partnership - the member responsible for keeping the books.
Duboiski offered to write grant applications while members consider their decision on the group's next step. If the partnership becomes a watershed management group, the applications will be ready to submit, he explained.
New Quinault Tribe members urged the group to take action on watershed issues. Joe DelaCruz said the basin needs a comprehensive watershed management plan.
"Without it, people are going to be suing one another," he warned.
DelaCruz said he hopes the Chehalis Basin partnership will be a role model for the rest of the state.
Water-quality issues - including Pe Ell's water system problems and Chehalis and Centralia's sewage discharge restrictions - will be on the group's May 22 agenda.
Back to Watershed Index Page
Back to Whats New Index Page
Back to Chehalis River Council Index Page
Lewis County Issues Page
Thurston County Issues Page