Chehalis Basin Watershed Management Plan

Draft Action #1 Work Plan

 

Watershed Management Plan Objective:  The Partnership recommends that the state make it clear to water rights applicants that there are flexible strategies for meeting their water rights needs given the hydraulic continuity is an issue.  (WMP Action 1, page 19)

CBP ranking:  7

Plan Component:  Water Quantity

 

This Objective implements the following Goal(s): 

  1. Work together to find solutions, build relationships, and obtain consensus on the Plan while fostering a sense of importance of watershed management and stewardship.  (WMP page 3)
  2. Focus on cost-effective environmental improvements and efforts based on available funds, while balancing a sustainable environment with economic development, using a cooperative not regulatory approach.  (WMP page 3)
  3. Protect federally reserved and trust water rights in the Basin.  (WMP page 3)
  4. Identify and protect areas that have healthy water resources.  (WMP page 3)
  5. Bridge the gap between existing stream flows and target flows for fish, wildlife, and human use. (WMP page 4)

 

Task(s):

  1. Make a list of mitigation strategies [use Hydraulic Continuity (IV-39).
  2. Produce report and/or documentation for mitigation strategies.
  3. Workshop(s)/brainstorm with agencies/others on what should and can be done for mitigation strategies.
  4. Go to the "state" (agency or legislature) to ask that these strategies be used.
  5. Public outreach to promote strategies.
  6. Conduct a groundwater study that provides the information necessary to address the hydraulic continuity issue.  This study would provide specific information about the character of the groundwater throughout the Chehalis Basin that would allow decision-makers to better answer the questions:  Will an individual water right application impact stream flows?   Could a strategic groundwater-pumping schedule be developed for a particular site that would delay the impact on the river until the high flow period? (WMP Action 2, page 19)
  7. Allow out-of-kind mitigation (watershed mitigation) for new or changed water rights.  (WMP Action 5, page 20)

 

Chehalis Basin Watershed Management Plan

Draft Action #3 Work Plan

 

Watershed Management Plan Objective:  Address requirements of Phase 4 watershed planning related to municipal water rights by 1).  estimating quantity of water represented by inchoate rights and by 2.) clarifying how such rights can be reconciled with protecting instream flow needs and can be affected by water conservation programs. (WMP Action 3, page 20)

CBP ranking:  12

Plan Component:  Water Quantity

 

This Objective implements the following Goal(s): 

  1. Work together to find solutions, build relationships, and obtain consensus on the Plan while fostering a sense of importance of watershed management and stewardship.  (WMP page 3)
  2. Focus on cost-effective environmental improvements and efforts based on available funds, while balancing a sustainable environment with economic development, using a cooperative not regulatory approach.  (WMP page 3)
  3. Protect federally reserved and trust water rights in the Basin.  (WMP page 3)
  4. Identify and protect areas that have healthy water resources.  (WMP page 3)
  5. Bridge the gap between existing stream flows and target flows for fish, wildlife, and human use. (WMP page 4)

 

Task(s):

  1. Work with Department of Ecology and Department of Health to clarify the requirements of Phase 4 relative to municipal water rights.
  2. Estimate quantity of water represented by inchoate rights.
  3. Address how municipal water rights can be reconciled with protecting instream flow needs and can be affected by water conservation programs.
  4. Link with WMP Action 54-A work group representing basin-wide interests and agencies will convene to oversee the current and future scientific studies, and to develop and oversee the public process to recommend instream flow levels for the Chehalis Basin.

 

 

 

Chehalis Basin Watershed Management Plan

Draft Action #36 Work Plan

 

Watershed Management Plan Objective:  Develop approaches to keep forestry and agriculture on the land.  (WMP Action 36, page 24)

CBP ranking:  1

Plan Component:  Water Quality

 

This Objective implements the following Goal(s): 

  1. Work together to find solutions, build relationships, and obtain consensus on the Plan while fostering a sense of importance of watershed management and stewardship.  (WMP page 3)
  2. Focus on cost-effective environmental improvements and efforts based on available funds, while balancing a sustainable environment with economic development, using a cooperative not regulatory approach.  (WMP page 3)
  3. Protect federally reserved and trust water rights in the Basin.  (WMP page 3)
  4. Identify and protect areas that have healthy water resources.  (WMP page 3)
  5. Bridge the gap between existing stream flows and target flows for fish, wildlife, and human use. (WMP page 4)
  6. Prevent degradation of and/or improve water quality to have clean water for all fish, wildlife and human uses. (WMP page 4)
  7. Prevent degradation and improve habitat to support self-sustaining fish and wildlife populations and to support water quality and quantity goals.  (WMP page 4)

 

Task(s):

  1. Inventory of properties (where are designated agricultural lands?) and mapping.
  2. Determine which lands are at risk and/or provide opportunity for protection.
  3. Gap analysis of existing incentives and programs.
  4. Develop a basin strategic plan for sustaining local agricultural and forestry production.
  5. Education and outreach to develop a program that informs the public about the benefits of sustaining local agriculture and forestry, the costs of losing local agriculture and forestry and the costs of sustaining local agriculture and forestry.
  6. Education and outreach to develop a program that informs local agricultural and timber producers about their responsibilities to protect the common local environment and opportunities for various forms of assistance designed to help them remain a viable producer.
  7. Promote local agriculture and forestry.
  8. Develop and provide assistance to local agricultural and timber producers.
  9. Develop and provide economic incentives to local agricultural and timber producers.
  10. Create a regulatory climate that encourages agriculture and forestry.

 

Chehalis Basin Watershed Management Plan

Draft Action #41 Work Plan

 

Watershed Management Plan Objective:  Encourage proactive voluntary approaches to protect or improve water quality.  (WMP Action 41, page 24)

CBP ranking:  16

Plan Component:  Water Quality

 

This Objective implements the following Goal(s): 

  1. Work together to find solutions, build relationships, and obtain consensus on the Plan while fostering a sense of importance of watershed management and stewardship.  (WMP page 3)
  2. Focus on cost-effective environmental improvements and efforts based on available funds, while balancing a sustainable environment with economic development, using a cooperative not regulatory approach.  (WMP page 3)
  3. Protect federally reserved and trust water rights in the Basin.  (WMP page 3)
  4. Identify and protect areas that have healthy water resources.  (WMP page 3)
  5. Use the CAC & increase public information and involvement to raise awareness of citizens about watershed issues.  (WMP page 4)
  6. Encourage basin residents to implement the Plan, with government support. (WMP page 4)

 

Task(s):

  1. Identify and evaluate existing voluntary actions to improve water quality.
  2. Improve and develop new voluntary actions to improve water quality.
  3. Measure effectiveness of such voluntary actions (after establishing performance criteria).
  4. Promote successful activities (i.e. best management practices & establish recognition programs).
  5. Develop legislative strategy to increase funding.
  6. Develop a better communication and coordination structure among the various groups involved in the Chehalis Basin.
  7. Develop strategies to increase long-term participation in the Citizen Advisory Committee.