By David Wilkins -- Daily World Writer, The Aberdeen Daily World , 2/13/2002
OCEAN SHORES - The Chehalis Basin Partnership is sponsoring a series of "open houses" to collect public comment on water resource management in the Chehalis River Basin.
"Water resource planning in the Chehalis River Basin is a great way for folks to learn about issues that affect them every day," said Grays Harbor County Commissioner Bob Beerbower, the county's representative to the partnership. "These open houses are a good chance for citizens to tell government what is important to you."
The first open house is set for Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, 120 West Chance - a - la - Mer, Ocean Shores.
The partnership includes local governments, water districts, Indian tribes, businesses, environmental groups and interested citizens. The partnership's current project is a water resource plan for the Basin, funded by a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Ecology. The final plan must be adopted before October 2003.
The Chehalis Basin extends from the mouth of Grays Harbor to the headwaters of the Chehalis River above Pe Ell.
The open houses have four goals:
To explain water resource planning to interested citizens,
To get input on water issues of concern to local citizens,
To get input regarding potential ecosystem restoration projects, and
To invite interested individuals to join the Chehalis Basin Partnership in planning for water resources.
According to Lee Napier, the county employee who coordinates Chehalis Basin issues, the partnership's overall planning goals include obtaining a much better understanding of the amount of water present in the Chehalis Basin, as well as information on the water quality and fish habitat conditions.
The partnership also hopes to address flooding issues, including shallow aquifer flooding and identify recommended changes to the Growth Management Act and land use requirements in the Chehalis Basin.
Interested citizens are invited to come, consider getting involved, learn about water resources management issues, and eat free pizza. Key issues include water supply, water quality, and habitat for fish and wildlife in the Chehalis Basin. Activities for children will also be provided.
Additional meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, at Montesano City Hall, 112 N. Main St., Montesano; Tuesday, April 16, at the Black Hills High School, 7741 Littlerock Road S.W., Tumwater; and Tuesday, May 21, at the Chehalis Middle School, 1060 S.W. 20th St., Chehalis.
All the open houses will be from 5 to 8 p.m.
Following these meetings, the next public forums on the plan will be when the partnership issues a draft Watershed Plan, which is expected later this year or early in 2003.
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