FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 22, 1998
98-127
Contact:	Sandy Howard Rudnick, Public Information, (360) 407-6239
		Brian Walsh, Watershed Team Leader, (360) 407-6310
$454,000 watershed grant to benefit Chehalis River watershed
OLYMPIA -On July 24, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) will hand-deliver a
check for $454,000 to help pay for efforts to protect the Chehalis River
watershed.
The "watershed planning" grant will be presented to the Chehalis Basin
Partnership this Friday at 9 a.m. at the Chehalis Indian Reservation Casino
Conference room (Lucky Eagle Casino) on Route 12 near Oakville.
The partnership is a group of county, city, tribal and state-agency
representatives and others with an interest in water issues in the Chehalis
River basin. The partnership collaborates to reduce floods and to enhance
fisheries, recreation, water quality and water quantity.
"State government is committed to saving the wild salmon and steelhead
populations of Washington, but we can't do it alone," said Sue Mauermann,
Department of Ecology regional director. "Local governments, communities and
caring citizens will have to roll up their sleeves and contribute creative
ideas and problem-solving.  We hope this grant jump-starts the tough work
ahead to protect the Chehalis River watershed for future generations."
The grant is part of $3.9 million allocated by the state legislature in 1998
to help state, local and tribal governments collaboratively create plans to
address water needs, reduce water pollution and protect fish and wildlife
habitat in local watersheds.  Twenty-two communities across Washington
received grants from the allocation.
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Chehalis Basin   Partnership Meeting
July 24, 1998 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Chehalis Indian Reservation - Casino Conference Room
Meeting Purposes:    To brief the partnership on the activities and status
of the Chehalis River Basin Flood Hazard Reduction Project, consider a
process for selecting citizen representation, and to discuss scoping for the
watershed grant.
Chair:         Commissioner Dick Nichols,  Thurston County (360/786-5440)
Lead Staff:  Brian Walsh, Department of Ecology (360/407-6310)
  Agenda
     INTRODUCTION  Commissioner Nichols  9:00-9:10 AM
I.  Intergovernmental Agreement  Commissioner Nichols
  / Brian Walsh  9:10-9:30 AM
II. Watershed Grant/Scoping  Marc Duboiski   9:30-10:00 AM
III. Citizen Selection Process  Committee Report  10:00-10:15 AM
IV. Lewis County Flood Control  Pete Ringen   10:15-11:00 AM
V.   Public Comment  Citizens  11:00-11:20 AM
VI.  Wrap-Up/ Adjourn  Commissioner Nichols  11:20-11:30 AM