Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 2, 1998

98-183

Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610

November meetings kick off watershed planning in Douglas County

YAKIMA - Douglas County residents will have a say in how water is managed in the future as they begin to develop a watershed plan for the Foster Creek and Moses Coulee drainage areas.

Residents are invited to participate in two meetings to kick-off planning efforts by the newly formed Douglas County Watershed Planning Association. The first is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the East Wenatchee City Council Chambers; the second will be held Thursday, Nov. 12, at the high school in Bridgeport. Both will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Jump starting that work is a first-phase grant of $72,706 from the state Department of Ecology (Ecology), to help establish a watershed-planning unit under provisions of a new watershed management law passed this year by the Legislature.

"Water availability is a vital concern for Douglas County farmers and residents, and they are to be applauded for embarking on this important work," said Polly Zehm, central regional director for Ecology. "We at Ecology look forward to working as partners with the local planning unit as it begins to grapple with finding water for the future while enhancing fish and wildlife habitat."

To be formally presented at Tuesday's meeting in East Wenatchee, the grant will help the planning group to get organized and begin to determine what water issues will be tackled in the region, including developing a water budget. Organization is the first in a three-phase process that provides funds to create plans addressing water needs, reduce water pollution and protect fish and wildlife in local watersheds.
"The best way to gain control of water resources is by coordinating the effort locally and involving local people," said Michelle Mazzola, district manager of the Foster Creek Conservation District. "This is just the first step toward establishing a viable watershed plan in the region."

The two watersheds were among 22 projects selected statewide for funding as part of $3.9 million allocated by the Legislature for local watershed planning.