Current or upcoming Department of Ecology activities that may affect Partnership activities or members
(Distribute with the Chehalis Basin Partnership September meeting announcement)
303(d) list of Impaired Waters
The state policy that established how the Washington State Department of Ecology identifies water bodies that will be listed as 'impaired' has been modified and will be finalized in September 2002.
303(d) lists are generally prepared every two years. However, the 2000 303(d) list was delayed due to work on revising federal regulations and the most recent list is the 1998 list.
The 303(d) list is used as the basis for setting Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) priorities.
Within a few weeks Ecology will announce a call for water quality data that should be considered in developing the 2002 303(d) list.
Matthew Green (407-6386) is available to discuss with local groups such as the CBP.
Water Quality Standards
The federal Clean Water Act requires that states hold public hearings to review their Water Quality Standards at least once every three years and make changes as appropriate.
The current proposal for modifying state water quality standards is available on Ecology's website: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/swqs
The schedule for modifying the surface water quality standards is:
| Fall 2002: | Release proposed changes |
| Late Fall/Winter 2002: | Hold public hearings |
| Spring 2003: | Adopt new regulations |
| Late Spring 2003: | NMFS/USFWS consultation |
| Summer 2003: | EPA approval of the revised water quality standards |
The Ecology contact is Mark Hicks, 407-6477
The Washington State Monitoring Strategy for Watershed Health and Salmon Recovery
In 2001 the legislature passed a law requiring the development of a comprehensive statewide strategy for monitoring watershed health, with a focus on salmon recovery.
Implementation of this strategy will generate information for use by local watershed groups, regional organizations, agencies, tribes and other partners.
An interim report was due by March 1, 2002. A final report is due by December 1, 2002.
Ecology's contact on this effort is Steve Butkus, 407-6742.
Rules affecting water conservancy boards to be updated
Ecology's Water Resources Program is accepting comments through October 4, 2002 on proposed amendments to the regulations governing Water Conservancy Boards (Chapter 173-153 WAC).
The law on water conservancy boards was substantially changed by the legislature in 2001. The proposed amendments are intended to make the existing regulations consistent with the amended law and improve the guidance to conservancy boards and Ecology staff supporting them.
Ecology will hold public hearings in Spokane, Ellensburg, and Lacey during the last week of September.
For complete information, visit Ecology's web page at:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/conservancy_boards/cb-home.html
Achieving In Stream Flows through Water Right Acquisitions
Applies only to the 16 fish critical basins in the state (Chehalis is not one of the 16).
A draft strategy for acquiring water rights for fish will be will be out for public review and comment approximately October 2002.
Contact is Hedia Adlesman, 407-6222
2002 Watershed Conference
The conference has been scheduled for November 19, 2002 in Tacoma.
Governor Locke is currently confirmed as the keynote speaker.
This will be the first public presentation to the Legislature and Governor of the Phase 4 Committee report and recommendations on implementation. It will also launch the Governor's infrastructure package. It is an opportunity to showcase what watershed planning has accomplished so far, and to make a case for how much more is needed.
Gale Blomstrom is the contact, 407-6548.
Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) Meeting Schedule
All meetings are at the Lucky Eagle Casino
Start at 9:00 a.m. and end about 11:30 a.m.
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