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What's New? What is the CRC? Fish News Public Resources Can we help you? Contact the CRC Watershed Mangement Dairy Issues Fertilizer Concerns Contamination General Water Quality Community Focused Permits & Checklists Coast-Estuary Concerns Coastal Erosion Concerns Storm and Flood News Lewis County Issues Grays Harbor County Issues Thurston County Issues Water Quality Plan Water Quality Issues Rivers of the Chehalis Newsletters W.S.U. Extension Visit FOGH Grays Harbor Model Watershed Water Quality Monitoring, a plan How to Shade the Chehalis American Rivers Year of the Ocean NonPoint Source Pollution Seasons of the Chehalis The Impaired Waterbodies Any value to water? Glossary of Terms What's A Basin? Where's the Basin? The Chehalis Nation What's the Law? Thurston County Lewis County Grays Harbor County Weather-flood warnings STORMWEB Centralia gage USGS River Information Corp of Engineers Basin Index Satsop gage The Chronicle Aberdeen Daily World The Olympian

Only 2002 Local Watershed Topics Which Are Controversial Be sure to visit Coastal and Estuary Concerns. - For more information see: Lewis County issues page or the Grays Harbor County Issues page or the Thurston County Issues page for more information on issues covered on this Hot Topic page. Learn about 700,000 sites which handle dangerous chemicals at this award winning EPA site Watershed management related events, bills, resolutions and some other related activities 1998 and earlier years watershed news and topics. 1999 year watershed news and topics. 2000 year watershed news and topics. 2001 year watershed news and topics. Dec. 31, 2002 On the next to the last day of 2002 the Department of Ecology announces that despite cleaning up 5,017 toxic sites in Washington over the past 14 years, the number of contaminated sites being reported to the Department of Ecology is growing each year, according to a new report. You can view the Executive Summary here. Dec. 21, 2002 WaDOE hasn't published a news release yet, but two years ago, Ecology updated the state's shoreline management guidelines for the first time since 1972. However, a coalition of business groups and local governments challenged the guidelines, and the Shoreline Hearings Board subsequently invalidated them. In an effort to avoid years of legal appeals, Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons asked Governor Locke and Attorney General Christine Gregoire to sponsor mediation talks aimed at reaching a legal settlement. ( DOE's Shoreline page homepage.) The outcome of the negotiations is new draft shoreline management guidelines that Ecology will propose through formal rule-making. Two documents which might be of interest: Thurston County Superior Court "Stipulation for Dismissal" (9 pages) Settlement agreement details (Attachment B): Negotiated agreement outlining a schedule for adopting the guidelines, and a strategy for pursuing funding and legislative amendments to the SMA . Dec. 19, 2002 Confused about your rights? Check out this public meetings and public records information. Dec. 17, 2002 Here are the materials for the December 2002 Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) meeting: December agenda for Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP). November summary for Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP). summary for December Steering Technical Committee Water Quality Committee meeting summary. historical record of Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) decisions Temperature letter to EPA from Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP). Trust Water Right intent letter from WaDOE Dec. 15, 2002 We don't often report fish news. But a recent The Chronicle story highlighted the return of salmon to China Creek! This seems newsworthy!! Dec. 09, 2002 Along Hwy 12 (Oakville area) a minor flood (in 1991) led to this flood story. The story came to light as local folks discuss the fate of a service station in the exact same area. Nov. 23, 2002 Nutrients for salmon, teacher education, Satsop floodpain, restoration activities and some prizes are part of what is in this early online December 2002 edition of Drops of Water! Nov. 15, 2002 The Chronicle reports that county ag rules dealing with water rights and stream buffers are up for review. Nov. 14, 2002 At last the question is asked: How will watershed plans be implemented and paid for? Nov. 10, 2002 Here are the materials for the November 2002 Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) meeting: Will the question about the legality of the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) be answered? agenda for November summary of CBP October meeting Water Quality planning issues Nov. 05, 2002 Want to be involved in water quality issues? EPA has a temperatuere workshop you can attend on November 7! Oct. 29, 2002 A watershed group, just north of here, wins the state's top environmental award for providing aunique public forum that benefits the watershed! Oct. 29, 2002 Ecology Department reports that the historic backlog of water-right-changes has been trimmed! Oct. 25, 2002 A planned industrial park in Napavine draws major criticism and disapproval by local residents. Oct. 19, 2002 Thanks to Kahle Jennings at WaDOE the draft Operating Procedures for the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) are revised and online today. Check it out!! Oct. 192, 2002 Here are the materials for the October 2002 Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) meeting: agenda for October revisions to previous minutes which might be of interest to you. summary of CBP September meeting Steering and Technical Committee meeting summary . Water Quality meeting summary. Oct. 11, 2002 A draft of the Operating Procedures for the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) is available online. Oct. 11, 2002 One of the largest industries in the watershed is virtually unknown. Thanks to WaDNR here is a look at: Centralia Coal Mine. Oct. 08, 2002 The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking new water quality data from the public to be used for placing polluted waters on the state's 303(d) list. Oct. 06, 2002 Have you ever wondered about the effects of ground-water withdrawals on discharge to streams and springs in small basins typical of the Puget Sound (that includes most of us!) lowlands? Here are some answers from the USGS, from a report done back in 1995! Oct. 03, 2002 Citizens, students and community leaders will help test the quality of water in creeks, lakes, streams and marine waters all over Washington as part of National Water Monitoring Day on Oct. 18. Sep. 27, 2002 This weekend why not find out what do partnerships, surge plain, monitoring day, loosestrife, coyotl, and consortium have in common? Read the current issue of Drops of Water and find out! Sep. 27, 2002 The Chronicle editorial basically supports local biosolid (sludge) application. Sep. 25, 2002 WaDOE says: Communities throughout Washington will share approximately $145 million to improve and protect water quality. in lakes, rivers and bays over the next year Sep. 22, 2002 Summer is over and it is time for the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) monthly meeting. Here are the materials for the September 27th meeting: agenda for September DOE activities which might be of interest to you. summary of CBP August meeting Steering and Technical Committee meeting summary . Water Quality meeting summary. A SRFB 2002 Cycle list and Draft Watershed Planning Schedule through 2003 will be available at the meeting. Sep. 04, 2002 WaDOE seeking public input on rules affecting water conservancy boards. Aug. 24, 2002 Not surprisingly The Chronicle endorses Corps' flood plan and then calls for mammoth help from WaDOT to push plan through Congress, etc. Aug. 24, 2002 Corps of Engineers holds hearing related to Environmental Impact Statement for $100 million "solution" to Chehalis and Centralia flood problem. Aug. 22, 2002 You can visit the Seattle District of the Corps of Engineers to locate the Centralia Flood Reduction EIS. Public comment is invited. Aug. 22, 2002 he Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking public comment on a proposed rule about how the agency will review underground water-storage projects. Aug. 22, 2002 Fewer than 20 funding applications have so far trickled in from water-right holders who need to install water-measuring devices under compliance orders issued by they Department of Ecology Aug. 18, 2002 Once again it is time for the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) monthly meeting. Here are the materials for the August 23rd meeting: August meeting agenda July meeting minutes Steering Technical committee July minutes The coming water crisis from US News and World Report Water Quantity Evaluation project scope Aug. 10, 2002 The Olympian reports on some of the issues surrounding pipeline under the Black River as the pipeline attempts to provide natural gas to Satsop. Aug. 08, 2002 WaDOE is asking for public comment on plans to permit underground water storage. Jul. 28, 2002 An early edition of the August issue of Drops of Water is online now. Jul. 18, 2002 Here is an alphabetical listing of organizations appearing on the WaDOE 2003 (FY 2003) Draft Offer and Applicant List. This list covers the Centennial Clean Water Fund (Centennial), the federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Fund (Section 319), and the Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. The complete report is available as a PDF file at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0210031.html. Jul. 16, 2002 Ecology Department ready to issue $146.5 million to help communities improve water quality. Jul. 07, 2002 The Olympian reports that all is not well as pipeline trenches and burials are forced upon property owners in an attempt to furnish natural gas to Satsop. Some question the wisdom of consuming natural gas and fresh water to produce electricity. Jul. 07, 2002 The Olympian story discloses the eternal debate between supposed clean energy sources and the eventual air, water and soil contamination which dervies from burning "natural" gas. Satsop's two plants can produce 2,125 NEW tons of pollutants. This is over 3 times the total now produced in all of Thurston County. Is cheap, natural gas power really cheap and natural? Jun. 29, 2002 And they said it couldn't be done. A service station on Anderson Road. This service station is planned for tribal trust land adjacent to Anderson Road. The tribe wants to raise Anderson Road to improve access to the casino. This service station will help force the issue. Jun. 25, 2002 The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has awarded grants worth up to $100,000 each to 10 watershed-planning groups across the state to help them make stream-flow recommendations for rivers and creeks in their watersheds. Jun. 25, 2002 Thurston County is handling a Hearing dealing with the Shoreline Substantial Dev. Permit by the Chehalis Tribe to widen anderson Road and excavate 16,300 cy of gravel for fill and to add floodwater water storage. Jun. 01, 2002 The Aberdeen Daily World reports that state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council has determined that a proposed expansion of the gas - fired electrical plant Duke Energy is building on Fuller Hill will have no significant adverse impacts on the environment. May. 31, 2002Annual permit fees are increasing on July 1 for those who hold wastewater- and stormwater-discharge permits in the state of Washington. May. 22, 2002 The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Nation have an interesting paper on water rights. May. 22, 2002 The Chronicle reports 100 foot 35 foot diameter water tower will soon grace the skyline on the Chehalis Reservation. May. 22, 2002 The state Department of Ecology is updating its policy for assessing which water bodies in Washington are polluted, and the public is invited to make suggestions and comments on what should be considered. May. 19, 2002 The Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) agenda, meeting summaries and Public Involvement Plan are online now. There is a special public meeting on the 21st at Chehalis Middle School. May. 13, 2002 Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) plans a Watershed Planning Presentation in Chehalis on May 21. The public is the target audience. May. 02, 2002 The Department of Natural Resources recently initiated a scoping process for a planned EIS on recalcualtion of sustainable yields on trust lands. The CRC weighs in on these public lands yield policies May. 01, 2002 The Chronicle reports on the tale of Lewis County's lost flood fix funds. May. 01, 2002 The Chronicle reports: A million dollars in promised and expected state funding for a key phase of flood control planning was eliminated by the state Transportation Commissioner earlier this month. May. 01, 2002 From January through March 2002, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) processed 158 requests for water-right changes, 133 more than in the same period last year. Apr. 26, 2002 The Olympian reports on natural gas pipeline which will extend from Yelm to Satsop to support gas fired generators. Apirl 26 story and/or April 25th story. Apr. 23, 2002 Local residents oppose tribal plans to alter and raise Anderson Road. Apr. 22, 2002 the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) April agenda and meeting summaries for the CBP, STC and CAC are online now. Apr. 05, 2002 The Aberdeen Daily World reports: Gov. Gary Locke on Tuesday signed into law House Bill 2305, which exempts existing agricultural uses from shorelines regulation. Apr. 05, 2002 The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has moved another step closer to measuring 80 percent of the water being used in the 16 river basins in Washington where fish runs are the most threatened. Apr. 04, 2002 The Olympian reports on April 3: Plans to manage water for communities, crops, fish and wildlife are under way in 40 of the state's 62 river drainage areas, including all five river basins in South Sound. Apr. 04, 2002 The Olympian reports on April 3: Developers who target rural areas for large-scale housing projects have a new obstacle related to water-rights. Apr. 01, 2002 The Washington Supreme Court has ruled that water-right permits are required in housing developments served by multiple drinking-water wells if those wells would withdraw more than 5,000 gallons a day. Mar. 29, 2002 As the result of a legal settlement, the Department of Ecology is preparing to revise and reissue stormwater permits for about 1,200 industrial facilities in Washington. Mar. 28, 2002The Chronicle reports: A county board created as part of a state experiment to speed up the state's snail-pace of water rights transfers has been expanded to five members in an effort to cut down on missed meetings and conflicts of interest. Mar. 26, 2002 A new Watershed Plan Implementation Committee is being formed at the request of the legislature and will be coordinated by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). Mar. 19, 2002 Materials for the March 19 Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) meeting are online now. March meeting agenda Instream overhead presentation Citizen Advisory Committee summary February meeting summary Steering Committee summary Chehalis Basin Level 1 Assessment Wa DOE Focus Fact Sheet Mar. 10, 2002 Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) held the first of several public outreach meetings. This one, Feb. 26, was in Ocean Shores. Less than 40 folks attended. Mar. 09, 2002 The Aberdeen Daily World announces another public meeting of the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) to be held in Montesano, March 19. Mar. 08, 2002The Olympian reports:A federal energy agency (FERC) ruled this week that a 49-mile natural gas pipeline from Rainier to Satsop could be built without significant environmental harm. Mar. 07, 2002 -The public has until April 25 to comment on a proposal to increase annual permit fees for those who hold wastewater and stormwater discharge permits in the state of Washington. Feb.. 19, 2002 Thanks to Kahle Jennings (WaDOE) here are the handouts for the Februrary 2002 Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) meeting. Note this meeting will be held at the Labor and Industries Building auditorium (Tumwater). February Agenda January 2002 Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP) minutes. February Sterring Committee Minutes January Citizen Advisory Committee Minutes Instream Flow Scope of Work Feb. 16, 2002 The Aberdeen Daily World reports the Chehalis Basin Partnership is sponsoring a series of "open houses" to collect public comment on water resource management in the Chehalis River Basin. The first open house is in Ocean Shores. Feb. 14, 2002 Ecology Department seeks comment on new flow-setting guidance. Feb. 08, 2002 When a wetland is destroyed to make way for development, can its functions be recreated or replaced in another wetland? Feb. 05, 2002 Condominums, golf, erosion, politics and jobs are all tied up in the ongoing erosion issues associated with the proposed development within the City of Westport. Jan. 22, 2002 Triangle Associates has this presentation covering the Level 1 Assesment for the Chehalis Basin Partnership (CBP). Jan. 22, 2002 The Olympian reports on threat to wetlands. Jan. 22, 2002 The Olympian reports WaDOE expert sees little impact from change in national wetlands permit. Jan. 21, 2002 Washington state is in the process of revising the surface water quality criteria for temperature in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Here is WaDOE Focus on the temperature criteria. Here is EPA Draft Temperature Guidance. Jan. 18, 2002 Here is a parital package of information for the February CBP meeting in Tumwater. Two other documents will be added later. CBP December meeting summary. CBP January agenda Choosing Phase II, Level 2 Studies/Projects - Draft Potential Phase II, Level 2 Studies/Projects Issues matrix January Steering Committee meeting summary Watershed Planning Agenda Items Jan. 08, 2002 WaDOE announces two public hearings to be held this month on a proposed rule that will establish criteria and a certification process for setting up wetland mitigation banks. The Chehalis River Council has prepared an unofficial HTML version draft rule so that you can avoid downloading PDF copies. Back to CRC Index - or - Go to What's New 1998 and earlier years watershed news and topics. 1999 year watershed news and topics. 2000 year watershed news and topics. 2001 year watershed news and topics.

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