Publication Summary

This focus sheet describes the possible rule process; gives workshop information; provides background on fish/moratorium issues:

This focus sheet describes the possible rule process; gives workshop information; provides background on fish/moratorium issues:

The Washington State Department of Ecology is considering using a two-phased rule development process to address instream flows for the Columbia River. The first phase would amend the present management program for the river by adopting language stating that the existing rules apply only to existing conditioned water right permits and certificates and not to future permits or certificates. The flow protection measures in the current rules were adopted in the early 1980s and are now obsolete and inadequate.

The second phase of rule-making would involve adoption of new flow protection measures and/or a specific process for identifying such measures on a case-by-case basis. Until then, Ecology would rely on coordination with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife in accordance with existing law to determine the appropriate conditions to include on any permits which Ecology might need to issue in the interim.