Watershed Management Plan Objective #3

Recommend adequate funding levels for water resources management.

Appropriate levels of funding for city, county, state, and other units of local government is necessary to adquately implement the Chehalis Basin Watershed Plan. To facilitate this process, the Chehalis Basin Partnership will engage in developing a series of work plans to facilitate this process.

1. Develop a finance strategy work plan

Pursue funding sources for investigating possible solutions for identified subbasin problem areas in order to:

Identify or create a funding source for small habitat projects[1]
Identify applicable funding sources for habitat protection and restoration projects[2]
Develop sources for funding water quality improvements[3]
Develop funding sources for water quantity issues
Develop legislative strategy to increase funding
Decide whether to establish a separate legal organization capable of receiving public and/or private funds (such as a 501(c)3 organization
Plan-2-Fund Development to identify required funding to accomplish WMP

Implementation Dates........... July 2006 through 2007

Responsibility....................... Chehalis Basin Partnership Steering Technical Committee

Leadership........................... Grays Harbor County

Resources Needed................. In-house staff from tribal governments, the state, counties, conservation districts, and the Columbia- Pacific Resource Conservation & Economic Development District

2. Develop an education and outreach work plan for soliciting funding

The work plan will focus on bringing about the following outcomes:

Develop eye-catching informational materials such as a “Chehalis Basin Water 101” brochure[4]
Develop “talking points” on water resources for all Chehalis Basin Partnership members to have on hand to spread the word[5]
The Citizens Advisory Committee of the Chehalis Basin Partnership could take a leading role in developing a plan for public information, including specific roles and responsibilities[6]
Member agencies of the Partnership should consider what outreach techniques are a good fit for their resources and assist accordingly. The Citizens Advisory Committee should recommend options for information and involvement to the Partnership that the group feels will best meet the goals they have identified[7][8]

Implementation Dates........... 2006 through 2007

Responsibility....................... Chehalis Basin Partnership Steering Technical Committee

Leadership........................... Citizens Advisory Committee (Taylor Pittman)

Resources Needed................. Part-time in-house staff or intern; MOUs and MOAs; public relations expertise; grant writing

3. Develop a work plan that will benefit partnerships

This work plan will layout financial strategies that:

· Encourage maximum coordination among partners that will leverage financial and political resources

· Establish MOUs and MOAs that enhance partnerships

Acquire resources for the GIS Clearinghouse

Implementation Dates........... 2007

Responsibility....................... Chehalis Basin Partnership Steering Technical Committee

Leadership........................... Chair of the Partnership

Resources Needed................. In-house state and local staff (particularly attorneys); outside facilitator; financial resources for Grays Harbor College; elected official call for data

4. Develop a watershed management workplan that will develop prioritized, project lists that tie specific water quality, quanitity, and habitat projects to funding opportunities

Initial efforts must focus on the water resource issues deemed most vital by the Partnership; they should begin as soon as the Plan is adopted.[9]

Implementation Dates........... 2006 through 2007, then ongoing

Responsibility....................... Chehalis Basin Partnership Steering Technical Committee

Leadership........................... WDOE and WDFW (Steve Craig, Chad Stussy, and Dave Roundtry)

Resources Needed................. In-house policy team, facilitator to assist in work plan development, and technical participation.