Ecology home > Watershed Planning >
Island County Watershed Planning (WRIA 6)
Lead agency contact:
Keith Higman
Island County Health Department
(360) 679-7350
keith@co.island.wa.us
Ecology contact:
Jacque Klug
Department of Ecology
(425) 649-7124
jklu461@ecy.wa.gov
Implementation phase:
Planning phase: Phase 4
Optional elements: None
Plan completed: June 2005
Grants awarded: About $498,000 through June 2005
Plan website: Island County (WRIA 06) Watershed Planning
Mission statement
The mission of the WRAC is to ensure that the water resources of Island County are managed and protected in such a way as to ensure their sustainable use, while protecting habitat and environmental and human health. To address comprehensive water resource planning and management, the Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) was created in 1999 by the Board of Island County Commissioners. Comprised of 12 voting members from the three Commissioner districts, the WRAC represents a broad spectrum of interests and geographic areas. Three citizen committees were sunsetted to create the WRAC: the Groundwater Advisory Committee, the Storm Water Advisory Committee, and the North Whidbey Watershed Management Advisory Committee. Island County recognized the overlap of many of the issues each group was addressing and the need to approach water resource protection on a comprehensive basis.
Progress
The Island County Water Resource Management Plan was adopted by the Board of Island County Commissioners on June 20, 2005. The plan contains recommendations on: revised ordinances and policies related to seawater intrusion and aquifer recharge areas; water system coordination; public outreaching and local assistance; and local pre-processing of water right permits. Soon after adopting the Plan, the Board of Island County Commissioners adopted the WRAC’s recommended revised ordinances and policies on critical aquifer recharge areas and seawater intrusion.In August 2005, Island County applied for Phase 4 funding. A detailed watershed implementation plan is due to be completed in October 2006. Early action items that the WRAC is presently implementing include: enhancing the groundwater monitoring program through installation of dedicated groundwater monitoring wells, emergency water supply planning, and public outreach and education on water resource issues.
Studies or data relevant to planning for this area
Other resources
Washington State Department of Ecology home page
Please send additions or corrections to Chris Anderson, (360) 407-6634.