May 29, 1997
Dear Watershed Council Members:
The CWC was organized to provide an open forum for all interested individuals, businesses and agencies to jointly influence and craft policies related to the Chehalis Basin Watershed. A number of organizations sought your support and were able to advance their cause thanks to your ability to work together and to reach consensus on some highly controversial issues. Because of events of the past year, however, the CWC and its Steering Committee have been reevaluating the role of the CWC in the watershed.
As you are probably aware, there are ongoing efforts by the State Department of Ecology to create a new regional coordinating body. CWC Steering Committee members have made seven attempts to discuss our concerns that all interests will not be represented by this new regional coordinating body. Despite our efforts it has become clear that Ecology is proceeding with its efforts. The structure of the new coordinating body has yet to be determined, but it appears that local governments favor the approach used in the Nisqually River watershed -- a structure that is very different from that of the CWC. Membership on the Nisqually River Council is strictly defined in it's "Charter Document." It is a "representative" coordinating body, in which individual constituent groups have a certain number of "seats" on the council. Each county is specifically represented, as are tribes and some state/federal agencies. Individual cities, port districts, citizens, and anyone else not specifically provided a "seat" on the council, have to work through designated "representatives" on the council.
Confusion will arise within the communities as to which group is proceeding with various efforts, and will, as well, diffuse the CWC's efforts. Therefore, it is with disappointment and sadness that the CWC Steering Committee reports that on May 7th, the Steering Committee decided to dissolve the Chehalis Watershed Council. The CWC Steering Committee reached this decision through a consensus process that allowed some members to support the decision even though they disagreed with it.
We strongly encourage you to continue your interest in the protection of the Chehalis Watershed. Your input and assistance is greatly needed. Other ways to continue this work include membership in the Chehalis River Council and/or participation in a newly formed coalition (see enclosed information). It is only by working together to create a strong and concerted voice that we can hope to effect any change or influence.
Sincerely, Chehalis Watershed Council Steering Committee Earl Emerson Brady Engvall Vickie Era Dick Jacobson Kahle Jennings Dave Palmer David Spogen
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