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Department of Ecology News Release - December 31, 2007
07-380
OLYMPIA – A glimpse into the complex world of statewide water management is now available through the 2006-07 Annual Report for the Water Resources Program of the Washington State Department of Ecology.
It’s available online and in printed form while copies last.
Through a series of articles, photographs, charts and graphs, the report provides an overview of the Water Resources Program’s current work and priorities. The report focuses on stories that statistics alone can’t tell.
Here’s a sample of what the stories reveal: What is a day in the life of a permit writer like? What is the Well Log Internet Site and why is it a useful tool for the public? How was a dam safety engineer helping to keep homeowners safe by camping out all night at the side of a dam on a holiday weekend?
The report also provides data on what projects and services that the program funds, its current performance measures and its 2007-09 Program Plan.
In the 2005-07 Biennium, Ecology provided millions of dollars to communities to help with critical water storage, conservation, watershed planning and other projects.
Using water efficiently (non-wastefully) is critical to the long-term sustainability of water supplies. Ecology distributed almost $15 million for water conservation projects. Agriculture received a majority of this money for conservation projects like lining irrigation ditches or adding pipes to irrigation systems. Since agricultural irrigation is the largest out-of-stream water use in the state, these investments translate into large water savings.
Approximately $16 million was provided to communities throughout the state to study opportunities for water storage in the ground and above the ground. Storing water during the wet season and delivering or releasing it during low-flow periods in rivers and streams is one important tool for meeting the water needs of people and the environment year-round.
An estimated $9 million funded watershed planning efforts around the state. Many local groups working under the Watershed Planning statute are now implementing the actions and recommendations in their watershed plans. What communities have learned and shared through watershed planning is helping Ecology develop funding and action priorities for water management around the state.
The Water Resources Program has a work force of approximately 175 across the state, working every day on water quantity issues, including managing water right permitting, and overseeing well drilling and dam construction and safety. Staff work closely with Washington communities to provide sustainable water management, to meet current water needs and ensure future water availability for people and the natural environment.
Printed copies of the report will be available at Ecology’s regional offices in Bellevue, Bellingham, Yakima, Spokane and Lacey. To request a printed copy, call 360-407-6607.
An on-line version can be viewed at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/wrhome.html
For more information on the work of Ecology’s Water Resources Program, visit the website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/wrhome.html
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Media Contact: Dan Partridge, 360-407-7139 (dpar461@ecy.wa.gov)
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
