Volunteers needed to help in Chehalis watershed planning efforts

Washington State Department of Ecology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Sept. 2, 1998

98-154

Contact: Sandy Howard Rudnick, public information manager, (360) 407-6239
Brian Walsh, watershed team leader, (360) 407-6310

Volunteers needed to help in Chehalis watershed planning efforts

OLYMPIA - Volunteers are being enlisted by the Chehalis Basin Partnership to be involved in planning the future of the Chehalis River watershed.

A total of 16 people from Lewis, Thurston, Mason and Grays Harbor counties are being recruited to serve on two groups: the Chehalis Basin Partnership and a citizen advisory committee.

One private citizen from each of the counties will be selected to serve on the Chehalis Basin Partnership. The Basin Partnership comprises county, city, tribal and state-agency representatives and others with an interest in local water issues.

The group is working on collaborative approaches for reducing floods and improving fisheries, recreation, water quality and water quantity in the Chehalis basin. The group meets on the fourth Friday of every month at the Chehalis Indian Reservation Lucky Eagle Casino on Highway 12 near Oakville.

The remaining 12 appointments will serve on the citizen advisory committee. This group will offer advice to and serve as a sounding board for the Partnership, with the goal of promoting economic health and environmental sustainability in the Chehalis River watershed. The four appointees to the Partnership will also serve on the advisory committee.

Preference will be given to:

Residents of the Chehalis watershed.
People active or expert in watershed issues.
Geographically dispersed candidates.
Those available to attend monthly meetings and committee assignments.

If you are interested in volunteering, please submit a letter of interest, a statement of qualifications and references by Sept. 30 to Brian Walsh, Washington Department of Ecology, Southwest Regional Office, P.O. Box 47775, Olympia, WA 98504.