Publication Summary

Water Resource Inventory Area 9: This document includes proposed administrative rules and supplemental environmental impact statement. The Department of Ecology has undertaken an analysis of the water resources of the Green-Duwamish River Basin and developed policies and procedures to protect instream resources values by proposing instream flows to minimize impacts resulting from future water appropriations.

The Western Washington Instream Resources Protection Program involves development of administrative rules for instream flows under chapter 90.54 RCW (Water Resources Act of 1971), chapter 90.22 RCW (Minimum Water Flows and Levels) and chapter 173-500 WAC (Water Resources Management Program) for the 26 Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIA) found on the western slope of the Cascade Range. The Department of Ecology has undertaken an analysis of the water resources of the Green-Duwamish River Basin and developed policies and procedures to protect instream resources values by proposing instream flows to minimize impacts resulting from future water appropriations. Under this proposal, an instream flow restriction has been placed on the main stem Green River. All tributaries of the Green River, as well as all other small streams in the basin would be closed to further appropriation. IN NO CASE WILL EXISTING WATER RIGHTS BE AFFECTED.