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What homeowners, builders and real estate agents need to know about
water for a new home
What agricultural water users need to know about water for new farms
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Vicki Cline Phone: (360) 407-0278 Email: vicki.cline@ecy.wa.gov |
Eva Richards - Metering Phone: (360) 407-6643 Email: eva.richards@ecy.wa.gov |
On November 30, 2009, a new water management rule was signed and adopted by the Department of Ecology. The rule, Chapter 173-517 WAC (Water Resource Management for the Quilcene-Snow Basin, WRIA 17), took effect December 31, 2009. The rule only affects water right decisions made after the effective date. It does not affect people with existing water rights.
Rule adoption documents for Chapter 173-517 WAC - includes links to all rule documents: CR-101 to 103, Cost Benefit Analysis, Concise Explanatory Statement, Implementation Plan, and Rule adoption notice.
On December 30, 2009, Ecology received a petition from the Olympic Stewardship Foundation represented by Dennis Schultz to repeal WAC 173-517 Water Resources Management Program for the Quilcene-Snow Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA 17). The rule was adopted on November 30, 2009, and took effect on December 31, 2009.
The petition was filed under the Administrative Procedures Act, RCW 34.05.330. Ecology must respond to the petition within 60 days, no later than February 28, 2010. At that time the Department must either deny the petition or initiate rule-making to repeal the rule.
The water management rule includes provisions that:
Additional information:
During 2005 Ecology proposed draft rule language and held two open houses to discuss the proposal with the public. However, that work was suspended when Ecology officials learned their public involvement effort was inadequate. They share the public’s desire to create a process that builds on the work done by the WRIA 17 planning unit and involves residents in the Quilcene-Snow watershed.
Since then, Ecology managers and consultants have met with Jefferson and Clallam county residents to resume the watershed management effort in a more inclusive way.
Information about management options being considered, and legal and technical background information in a question and answer format.
Ecology is providing many opportunities for the public to learn about, and provide feedback, on the water issues facing the watershed.
A public hearing on the proposed rule was held on June 25, 2009. The associated comment period ended at 5:00 pm. on July 10, 2009. All public comments received by Ecology on the draft of the Water Resource Management Rule for WRIA 17 are available. Comments were received between May 20, 2009 and July 10, 2009 via US Mail, Email, online form submittal, and public hearing testimony.
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The Quilcene-Snow basin (WRIA 17) is located along the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington State. The basin covers approximately 626 square miles (401,000 acres) and includes portions of Jefferson and Clallam counties. It is bordered to the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the east by Admiralty Inlet, northern Puget Sound and Hood Canal, and to the south and west by the Olympic Mountains and associated foothills and floodplains. More than 70 percent of the basin is privately owned, and the total population growth is among the highest in the state. The watersheds provide spawning and rearing habitats for four species of salmon: coho, chum, steelhead, and cutthroat. Freshwater rearing is particularly critical for coho whose typical freshwater cycle extends through the summer months when many streams within the basin are flow-limited. For additional information: |
Subscribe to the Instream Flows – Quilcene/Snow Watershed E-mail list to receive periodic updates and new information.
Ann Wessel
Phone: (360) 407-6785
Email:
awes461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
