| SpecificIssue | CBP: Chehalis Basin Partnership |
|
Short Response | Plan Section or Other Document with Detailed Response |
| (Army Corps' Proposed) Levee Placement | Paid for/built by tax $: will cause more flooding of my property and all near me (specific one is River St. & Arizona Ave & golf course area & farm property). I am totally against the levee! | The Army Corps incorporates public comment in its plans. Construction of this levee has not been authorized at this time. | VI-B-3 (Flooding Issue Paper) | |
| Action on Citizens' Issues | Citizen Question: How many of the issues raised by citizens will be included in the Plan? | Every issue raised by citizens is included in this matrix and contains a response. Those relating to water resource issues in the Chehalis Basin are addressed in detail. | N/A | |
| Agriculture & Water Use | Citizen Comment: Natural vegetation draws up a lot of water too; it's not just irrigation. | Agriculture, especially using best management practices, can be good for the health of our streams and rivers - though water withdrawals at certain times can impair stream flows. Water-wise agriculture (e.g. efficient, appropriately timed withdrawals) should be encouraged. | Protecting Issue Paper | |
| Back-flooding | Connor Creek has this problem. | In WRIA 21, outside the management area of this Plan. | - | |
| Bank Erosion | East Fork of Satsop has this issue | Erosion is a natural process, impacted by many factors including human activities. Army Corps Ecosystem Restoration Study will identify bank erosion areas and prioritize flood damage reduction and habitat restoration projects. Army Corps funds can be used for public lands only; for other funding sources see the Chehalis Basin Salmon Habitat Restoration & Preservation Work Plan. | VI-C-3 | |
| Bank Stability | Fisheries people told me to take out the rock I had placed and plant willow sprouts, but those washed away. - NOTE: combine with Bank Erosion? Or place adjacent to it? | Bank stability is impacted by many factors including human activities. Army Corps Ecosystem Restoration Study will identify unstable stream bank areas and prioritize flood damage reduction and habitat restoration projects. Army Corps funds can be used for public lands only; for other funding sources see the Chehalis Basin Salmon Habitat Restoration & Preservation Work Plan. | VI-C-3 | |
| Black LakeDitch | Close Black Lake Ditch - return water to Black River Drainage. (STC Note: This issue also applies to Macintosh Lake on Scatter Creek.) | Consider feasibility study, although cutting new channel through wetlands would be costly and Black Lake Ditch now has its own unique habitat including salmon runs. This study may not be as high priority as other needs. | VI-C-3 | |
| Building in floodplain | Citizen Comment: Development and filling in floodplain and floodways is a concern. Stop filling (protection of life and property). | Current land use management plans restrict building in floodplains, though this is allowed under certain conditions and can negatively impact other landowners. This is a county-specific land use issue and up to the jurisdiction of county commissioners. | Land Use & Flooding Issue Papers | |
| Culverts | Remove culvert near Churchill Rd. on Yelm Tenino Rd (would restore salmon to branch of plunge pool Scatter Creek); what about culverts on old railroad grades? | Mark Swartout will look into this, via Thurston County culvert inventory. | VI-C-3 | |
| Dams | Once supplied water to Cedar Creek Corrections Ctr on Cedar Creek What about fish passage over Skookumchuck Dam? (Reservoir is open but no public access.) Remove Williams Pipeline dam on Black River in order to restore salmon to Black Lake tributaries. | Water Storage Report evaluates use of dams; fish passage needed. Barriers to fish passage are addressed in Habitat Limiting Factors Analysis (LFA), a summary of which is included in this Plan. . RE: Williams Pipeline, see Black Lake Ditch issue above. | Complete LFA (Appendix ___) | |
| Deepening Black Lake will dry up Ashley Creek | Timing may be too soon for Plan to affect | No knowledge of plans to do this, unless it is linked to other Black Lake issues. | - | |
| E. Side Newaukum R. | Between I-5 bridge and county bridge on Kirkland Rd.-severe flooding every time, mitigation desirable | The Army Corps Ecosystem Restoration Study will prioritize flood damage reduction projects. Army Corps funds can be used for public lands only; for other funding sources see the Chehalis Basin Salmon Habitat Restoration & Preservation Work | VI-C-3 | |
| Fair/open planning | It was expressed at one or more Study Area meetings that this watershed planning process must be open and fair. | All CBP meetings are open to the public. Four local study area meetings were held. Chehalis River Council website and Drops of Water paper update the residents of the Basin on watershed planning and meeting dates. Citizen representatives sit on all subcommittees of CBP. | III-D +
VIII |
|
| Flood Control Impacts Down-stream | Citizen Comment: Make sure flood control in Lewis County does NOT have negative impacts on areas downstream. | The environmental evaluation of the Army Corps' Flood Reduction Study indicates that upper basin efforts will not have negative impacts on the lower basin. | VI-C-3 | |
| Flooding Scott Lake | The lake doubles in quantity each year, the golf course floods and septic systems are impacted. | Scott Lake citizens have created a Drainage District to manage this issue. Due to the uniform elevation of this area, it is a difficult problem to solve. | Scott Lake Drainage District | |
| Gravel Extraction | Gravel bar causes erosion of streambanks, harms fish habitat. | Gravel bars are influenced by many factors including human activities and do not always harm fish habitat. Gravel extraction is no longer a common practice and must be examined in a holistic way. See "Gravel Removal From Rivers For Reducing Flood Risk" paper (Appendix ___) + Stream Function Issue Paper? | VI-C-3 | |
| Hazardous Materials | Need closer drop-off point to Ocean Shores for hazardous waste, e.g. old gasoline/oil, paint, etc (LeMays, outside Aberdeen, is 25 miles away and only open 2 days a week) | Funding limits Grays Harbor County from offering more locations for hazardous material drop-off. | VI-C-3 | |
| Hydropower Water Storage | Citizen Comment: When they hold the river at a higher level to generate power, it washes away our land when they let it go. | Dams have FERC release requirements; this issue best addressed via re-licensing process. | IV-E | |
| Invasive Species | Citizen Comment: Nuisance aquatic vegetation (Duck Lake was mentioned) creates too much phosphorus & other nutrients. | Plant species that are not native to this area can have negative impacts to habitat, water quality, etc. Those species that can dominate other vegetation here must be eliminated or never introduced. | IV-I +
VI-C-1 |
|
| Lack of Enforcement | Existing laws and regulations may be adequate for preservation of water resources. | This Plan recommends enforcement of existing laws. The Plan also recommends proactive, cooperative, voluntary approaches to water resource preservation. | VI-D-1 | |
| Levees | Citizen Comment: We feel that levees are a bandaid and not a true solution to the flooding problem. | Flooding is a common and historic occurrence in the Chehalis Basin. The Army Corps study attempts to recommend a balanced approach to flood damage reduction using several techniques. | Flooding Issue Paper | |
| Mission Statement | Needs to include agriculture/farming. | "Viable and healthy communities" implicitly includes agriculture. This was specifically discussed by the Partnership during formation of the mission statement. | N/A | |
| Nuisance Species | Example: Increase in seal population in Grays Harbor creating fecal coliform issue + hazard to migrating salmon. | Studies of circulation patterns and DNA analysis of fecal coliform bacteria would be needed to show this. Actions to address seal impacts to salmon must consider that seals are protected under Marine Mammal Protection Act. | IV-J +
See NMFS/ NOAA Fisheries paper |
|
| Outreach/ Assistance for Citizen Projects | Need to establish mechanisms to provide assistance and resources for citizens who have a habitat or water quality project. | Resource list has been created; refer to Chehalis Basin Habitat Restoration and Preservation Work Plan | III-E +
VII-G |
|
| Overuse of water | The Level 1 Assessment indicates that there are a lot more water rights in the basin than water being used. | Water Conservation is a key component and recommendation of this Plan. | IV-D | |
| Parks/Trails: Comment/ (e.g., rowing access to Black Lake?) | Citizen Question: Are there any plans to develop parks, water access, or interpretive trails in the watershed? | This Watershed Plan does not specifically identify water related recreation activities. The Plan encourages the cultivation of outdoor recreation opportunities where they can contribute to a sustainable economic revenue base. | Recreation Issue Paper? | |
| Preserve Black Lake | Preserve Black Lake | This Plan recommends preserving high quality water resources of the Chehalis Basin. | VI-C-3 | |
| Study Area Boundaries | Citizen Comment: Coal Creek is a tributary to Salzer Creek; Study Area boundaries may be incorrect. | Map has been corrected. | N/A | |
| Up-River Changes | Modifications affect folks living down-river. This needs to be taken into account in planning. | This Plan attempts a holistic approach to water resources to address this. | N/A | |
| Water Quantity Issues | - | - | ||
| Availability | Is there enough clean water for our desired current and future use? The Chehalis Basin Watershed Plan addresses this crucial question.
ALSO includes (formerly separate issues): Conservation Reuse Water Storage Recharge |
The amount of water represented by water rights in the Basin far exceeds the amount of water actually used. Federally Reserved Water Rights have not been quantified; if quantified these would likely add water to streams for instream flow. With water conservation and appropriate management of the water in the basin, water ought to be available for future human and fish needs. | IV-G/H | |
| Water Balance Needed | The Plan must estimate the amount of surface and ground water in the river basin, how much is being used, and the total amount of water represented by water rights. This will let us know how much water is available in the basin. NOTE: while flood problems in the Chehalis Basin are commonly known, there is a need to help the public and decision makers understand there is also a problem with too little water in the Chehalis Basin. ÿÿ A general Water Balance was completed for the entire Chehalis Basin that shows that total water input through precipitation is around ___________ , total outflow through stream flows is around _____, total evapotransporation is around ______, and total water stored in groundwater/lakes is around _____. ÿÿ | A general Water Balance was completed for the entire Chehalis Basin that shows that total water input (through precipitation) is around ___________; total outflow through stream flows is around _____; total evapo-transpiration is around ______; and total water stored in groundwater/lakes is around _____. | IV-G | |
| Hydraulic Continuity | This is where water in the ground has a direct connection to water in streams or rivers. By trickling to the surface, groundwater feeds the river or stream. When groundwater is withdrawn, it can cause low stream flows (especially in the summer).
Need more info on how continuity works. Scientific world is at odds, and farmers could manage water better with clear scientific info. The technical studies completed for this study indicate that most groundwater in the Chehalis Basin is in continuity with surface waters of the basin. There may be a few pockets of deep groundwater that is isolated, but the amount is likely limited. |
Technical studies completed for this study indicate that most groundwater in the Chehalis Basin is in continuity with surface waters of the Basin. There may be areas of groundwater that would not impair stream flows if tapped; however, studies to identify these areas would be costly. For all practical purposes, local governments should assume all shallow groundwater is connected to surface water. | IV-F | |
| Adjudication | To manage water, need to know what existing water rights are. To know this, adjudication is needed. Existing legal framework makes adjudication difficult. | Consider adjudication in Chehalis Basin - streamlined if possible. | Adjudi-cation section | |
| Consumptive Water Use / Water Returned to River | Many water uses are considered "non-consumptive" since a large portion of the water withdrawn is returned to the river system "Consumptive use" refers to that portion of the water that does not return to the river. QUESTION: How is it accounted that most water used is returned to the river after use? Need to define consumptive use, e.g. 100% usage with no water returned, or some % consumed with some amount returned down river?
- |
- | IV-E | |
| Exempt Wells | Exempt wells usually draw from sources that feed rivers and streams. Combined with development paving over land to prevent water from returning to the ground, this results in less water available in the rivers for fish and people.
Citizen Comment: Dairies have exempt wells, and there's no science to show this damages water supply. They must be encouraged to stay in business, as they are the best recharge areas. |
Exempt wells impact instream flows and water availability, but landowners will not want to give up the right to have an exempt well. Recommendation needed | IV-D | |
| Water Rights: information, investigation, validation, issuance | This information is held by the Department of Ecology and shows how much water is represented by existing water rights. | Many water rights applicants are frustrated by the length of time it takes to process a water right application, and changes to the system are due. | IV-D | |
| Conservation Measures + Information/ Education on These | - | - | - | |
| Groundwater Right Issuance | - | If deep aquifers are found in the Chehalis Basin, it would be ideal to tap that water for municipal supply in order not to disrupt water quantity, instream flows or hydraulic continuity. | IV-D | |
| Flooding Issues | - | - | ||
| Flooding | - | Flooding can have benefits: water spreading into floodplain reduces peak runoff, stores water that recharges the river during lower flows. It is worth examining whether it would be more costly to build where flood damage is likely - or elsewhere. | V-B | |
| Water Quality Issues | - | - | - | |
| Temperature | A high water temperature harms the health of fish and other life in the rivers because it reduces the ability of water to hold oxygen. High temperatures in the mainstem of the Chehalis must be addressed. | - | IV-I +
VI-C-1 |
|
| Sediments/Turbidity | Dirt, silt, and other particulates washed into streams harm habitat and water quality - when water is cloudy it cannot hold as much oxygen and gets warmer. Land use practices that minimize sediment should be used where possible in the Chehalis Basin. | - | IV-I +
VI-C-1 |
|
| Failing Septic
Systems |
Without properly functioning leach fields, these allow fecal coliform bacteria to reach water bodies. Owners of septic systems should inspect them regularly (every five years) to ensure water quality is not impacted. | - | IV-I +
VI-C-1 |
|
| Stormwater/ Runoff / Impervious Surfaces | On pavement or where trees are cut, surface runoff from rains increases in quantity and is more rapid than in vegetated/treed areas, leading to erosion. Stormwater management is needed in some areas, especially those facing increased growth. | - | VI-B-1 | |
| TMDL (total maximum daily load) | Now called Water Cleanup Plans, TMDLs describe the type, amount and sources of water pollution in a given water body. They analyze how much the pollution must be reduced or eliminated to meet water quality standards, and they provide targets and strategies to control the pollution. | - | IV-I +
VI-C-1 |
|
| Toxics: Point sources | Large plants, factories, mills, etc. can emit pollution that can damage sections of land (and groundwater) or waters and may directly harm fish. Certain "Hot spots" may be affecting water quality; these should be identified and mitigated. | - | IV-I +
VI-C-1 |
|
| Toxics: Non-point sources | More difficult to control than point sources, these small sources of pollution add up to cause damage, for example from storm drains, cars (oil/grease), sewage, pesticides, fertilizers, and dirt and silt. Information should be shared with the public about the impacts from these sources. | - | IV-I +
VI-C-1 |
|
| NPDES permits | Permits are required in order to dump certain substances into water bodies. Many of these permits have expired and many dumpers don't have permits. Enforcement of this program by the EPA should be improved. | - | IV-I +
VI-C-1 |
|
| Tidal Influence / Saltwater Intrusion | Saltwater intruding into freshwater systems can assist salmon in smolting, although when too much groundwater is pumped out of the aquifer, saltwater may be pulled into people's wells. This issue may warrant further study. | - | VI-C-1 | |
| Land Use Issues | - | - | ||
|
Riparian damage |
Certain kinds of vegetation along stream banks help keep pollution and sediments out of the river, provide shade to keep the water cooler, and ensure that the banks won't erode into the river. Native riparian vegetation must be encouraged as a significant aid to habitat and water quality. | - | VI-B-1 | |
| Runoff | Vegetation controls runoff into streams. Traditional patterns of growth increase impervious surface, resulting in declining water quality. Development should be low impact where economically feasible. | - | VI-B-1 | |
| Development Near Streams | Existing and future laws (e.g. for streamside buffers) must be followed for there to be enough clean water for our future. | - | VI-B-1 | |
| Landscaping | How we manage the natural environment of our property is directly related to the health of our water. Native plants help preserve the water we have and keep it clean, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. | - | VI-B-1 | |
| Forestry Practices | When it rains near clear cuts, the river nearby has a very rapid response and heavy sediments. Today's logging practices have fewer negative impacts on water resources, though logging roads are a source of sediment and must be built and maintained responsibly. | - | VI-C-4 | |
| Protection of land | By understanding lands that are protected and the nature of existing protections in the Basin, the Partnership can focus its efforts on the areas that need attention the most. Existing areas with healthy water resources must be protected when possible. | - | VI-D-1 | |
| Habitat Issues | - | - | - | |
| Barriers to Fish Passage | When barriers keep fish from swimming upstream, they cannot reproduce. This is a significant problem for access to habitat. | Prioritize habitat areas above barriers; restore access to best/largest habitat areas first. Continue restoring access to priority habitat areas as resources allow. | IV-J +
VI-B-4 |
|
| Channel Incision / Bank Erosion | When streambeds get lowered (due to high flows or channel modifications), the stream can get separated from the floodplain and its habitat. Erosion leads to sediment in rivers, a water quality problem. | - | IV-J +
VI-B-4 |
|
| Bank Armoring | Bulkheads or other hard surfaces on stream banks cause pollution to run off straight into water and shade can't cool the temperature. Bank armoring prevents river's natural processes, resulting in downstream impacts. It also increases erosion. | - | IV-J +
VI-B-4 |
|
| Fisheries Harvest Management | Complexities of this issue must be conveyed (international, multi-jurisdictional, state/ tribal/ federal etc.) | Also addressed via 2496 process. | - | |
| Wildlife Habitat | This Plan does not specifically discuss terrestrial habitat in the Chehalis Basin, though water resource health is related to wildlife habitat integrity. | - | - | |
| Instream Flow Issues | - | - | - | |
| Instream Flow Rules | Need sufficient water flowing in streams to support all salmon life stages. Q: How do we have confidence that the State's instream flow standards are realistic or real? | - | IV-E | |
| Gaging | Measuring devices on tributaries of the Chehalis help us know how much water exists on the surface at any given time. This helps us know how much water exists overall. | - | IV-E | |
| Low Flows | Low stream flow levels in summer are bad for fish habitat and water quality. | - | IV-E | |
| Governance Issues | - | - | - | |
| Measuring Success | How will we know if the Watershed Plan is working? | - | VII-F | |
| Changes in Laws or Regulations | The watershed Plan can request changes in existing laws. Also, new water-related laws will affect the watershed Plan and agreements in it. | Agreements must be made as to how to handle changes in water-related laws. | VI-D-1 | |
| Existing Laws, Regulations & Rules | Many Federal, State, Regional and Local laws, regulations and rules impact water in the Chehalis Basin. | These need to be identified and catalogued in their effects on the Basin (to understand what we are dealing with) followed by an educational process. NOTE: The educational piece is still needed. | IV-E | |
| Implementation | The Plan won't do anyone any good if the projects and agreements in it are not put into action. | - | VII-A | |
| Regulatory vs. Voluntary Approach | Voluntary actions are preferred to rules and regulations. Agreements between local governments, businesses, etc. are needed. | - | VII-A/B | |
| Cost-Benefit Analysis | To figure out if a project is worthwhile, the costs and benefits need to be discussed, if not specifically studied. | - | IV-K | |
| Ongoing Studies & Projects | STC | Numerous studies and projects related to water are occurring in the Chehalis Basin. These have been catalogued and the information used in this Plan in an attempt to avoid duplication of effort. | - | VI-B |
| Updates to Plan | STC | As new information becomes available and conditions change in the Chehalis Basin, the watershed Plan will need to be updated. | - | VII-I |
| Quinault Indian Nation Issues | From meeting with Partnership representatives, March 20, 2003 | - | - | - |
| Flood Damage Reduction Project | Quinault Indian Nation | Army CoE project = problematic for Tribe, since it is an expensive project that would allow additional development in Upper Basin. | - | VI-B, VI-C-3 |
| Instream Flows for Fish | Quinault Indian Nation | Important issue for Tribes | - | VI-B, VI-C-3 |
| "Muni Bill" legislation | Quinault Indian Nation | Tribes concerned that this bill would grant water rights to Class B water systems and other water users who have not shown Beneficial Use of the water | - | N/A |
| Water quality in Lower Basin | Quinault Indian Nation | North Bay, Humptulips mentioned | - | VI-C-2 |
| Zoning/Land Use | Quinault Indian Nation | Standards, e.g. building practices), must be high due to ESA listings in Basin | - | VI-C-1 |
| Agricultural runoff | Quinault Indian Nation | Concern about impact on water quality | - | VI-C-1 |
| Lack of enforcement | Quinault Indian Nation | Need enforcement of existing regulations on all water resource issues: many good laws on the books that are not being enforced | - | VII-D |
| Federally Reserved Rights | Quinault Indian Nation | Must be addressed early in the Plan and woven in throughout the document | - | ALL |
| Habitat Restoration | Quinault Indian Nation | Important component of Plan (including Army CoE study) | - | VI-B, VI-C-1 |
| Management System | Quinault Indian Nation | "Complete the picture" - Plan won't do any good if it is not implemented, with a functional and sustainable management framework in place. | - | VII-A |
| Monitoring | Quinault Indian Nation | Needed to measure success | - | VII-E |
| Spring Chinook, Newaukum system | Quinault Indian Nation | High priority for Quinault Indian Nation | - | VI-B, VI-C-2 |
| Reservoir Releases | Quinault Indian Nation | Must be timed with awareness of fish health and to support fish health | - | VI-C-1 |
| Flows in Black River | Quinault Indian Nation | Concern about flow levels being sufficient to support fish runs | - | VI-C-1 |
| Boistfort Valley Water Company Issues | - | From meeting with Partnership representatives, March 20, 2003 | - | - |
| Four-wheelers, horses | Boistfort Valley Water | Harm surface water quality, impact quality of water supply | - | VI-C-2 |
| Illegal Dumping | Boistfort Valley Water | Trash in the water bodies | - | VII-D |
| Beaver Dams | Boistfort Valley Water | Suggestion: use these to store water for release during low flow periods | - | VI-C-2 |
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