Washington State Department of Ecology

Quilcene-Snow - WRIA 17

Grants awarded through this fiscal year (ending July 2010)

$1,464,490

Projected grants July 2010 - June 2011

$68,000

Background

Jefferson County adopted the Quilcene-Snow Creek Watershed Management Plan in January 2005. The planning group finished their detailed implementation plan in October 2007. Ecology continued to work with local stakeholders and adopted the Quilcene-Snow water management/instream flow rule in November 2009.

As well as supporting additional work on instream flow setting, the plan’s key recommendations include ongoing surface and groundwater monitoring, and supporting water acquisition and conservation programs.

Instream flow status

Although the approved plan did not include instream flow recommendations, the planning group, Ecology, and Department of Fish and Wildlife agreed on flow numbers for most major creeks and streams. The new rule sets instream flows on 13 streams in 11 subbasins.

The rule also includes measures to manage new withdrawals of groundwater.

Ecology had planned to propose the rule in October 2005; however, the rule adoption schedule changed to allow enhanced outreach with local governments, tribes, and the public. Ecology held public workshops in May and July 2007 to explain water management issues and present information gathered about water management needs. Ecology has been meeting directly with local governments, tribes, the planning group, PUD, and community groups. The rule was adopted in November 2009 and became effective December 31, 2009.

The current water management rule does not include the small group of streams located in the Clallam County portion of WRIA 17. Further outreach and development of management strategies is needed before a rule can be adopted for this area. The timing for completing this work is not set.