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Department of Ecology News Release - October 27, 2006
06-220
WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla-area residents will have three opportunities in November to learn about proposals to manage water resources to improve fish runs and accommodate future growth.
The proposed changes do not affect people who already have water rights.
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) will hold three public, open-house sessions, one in Dayton and two in Walla Walla.
The open house in Dayton will take place at 7 p.m., Nov. 15, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. Both Walla Walla sessions will take place on Nov. 16. The first Walla Walla session will start at 2 p.m. at Valley Chapel Community Center, 203 Beet Road. The second session in Walla Walla will start at 7 p.m. at the Department of Transportation Conference Room, 1210 G Street.
The Walla Walla River basin has limited water, and most of the summer flows in the Walla Walla have been diverted for irrigation.
Several of the proposals to be discussed at the open house sessions are in response to the watershed management plan that was adopted in 2005 to address the needs of the basin, including stream-flow protection and restoration.
The watershed plan recommends minimum stream-flow levels called "new appropriation flows." Setting these flow levels would minimize the impact of increased water usage in the future, but will not affect existing water-right holders.
The plan also recommends changes to existing stream closures and provides for storing water from winter and spring high flows, allowing water to seep slowly to the streams to improve stream flows for salmon production.
For more information on the proposed rule amendments, please contact Travis Burns at 360-407-7262.
If you have questions about the open houses, please contact Ecology's Judy Beitel at 360-407-6878 or contact her by e-mail at jbei461@ecy.wa.gov .
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Media Contact: Jani Gilbert, public information manager, 509-329-3495.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
