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Dungeness Instream Resources Protection and Water Management ProgramDiscussions are under way on water management strategies for the Dungeness watershed. These discussions are based on recommendations in the Elwha Dungeness Watershed Plan which provides a framework for locally-based watershed planning and resource management. The Plan obligated the Department of Ecology to develop an instream resources protection and water management rule. The rule will guide future water right and water availability decision-making. It will also protect existing water rights and water in streams for fish species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. A fundamental principle of state water law is preservation of reliable supplies of drinking water. Ecology is also obligated under state law to protect instream resources. Using the watershed plan recommendations together with comments from interested groups and citizens as well as governments, the department will develop a rule that addresses both. Community Forum - Managing Water in Your WatershedThe second workshop in the series was held on March 26, 2008. The meeting is a chance for people to learn more about the instream flow and water management rule process in the Dungeness River area.
The first of three workshops for residents and others interested in water management in the Dungeness area was held on November 29, 2007.
Dungeness Water Working GroupTwo committees, one a government executive level, the Dungeness Water Executive Committee and the other a broadly representative working group, the Dungeness Water Working Group, are meeting with Ecology staff to evaluate options for water supply and to help draft the rule. We will be building on the work done by Clallam County and the WRIA 18 Watershed Planning Unit. There will be many opportunities for interested members of the public to ask questions and participate in these discussions. The Dungeness Water Working Group meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month and is open to the public. Sequim Gazette Articles by Sam Gibboney, Water resources consultant ISE Consultants
The Watershed PlanThe final Elwha-Dungeness Watershed Plan was developed and approved under the Watershed Planning Act, Ch.90.82 RCW. An extended Clallam County review included several meetings with stakeholders, and public meetings and hearings. Members of the planning teams reviewed public comment and amended plan recommendations where consensus could be reached. The Clallam County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the plan on June 7, 2005. Some Plan recommendations related to rule developmentIt is yet to be determined which recommendations and related actions will be in the rule and which should be addressed in other ways.
Note: A decision was made by Ecology to write two rules (Dungeness first, Elwha second) because the geography and hydrology of the east and west sides of the Water Resource Inventory Area are so different from each other. Additional effortsThe rule discussion is one of several inter-related efforts in the watershed. Others address water supply options, water quality improvements, stream flow restoration, reduction of flood hazards and salmon recovery. The shared goal is the long-term health and well-being of the Dungeness watershed and its residents. Dungeness River Management TeamThe Dungeness River Management Team (DRMT) is a partnership of individuals, stakeholders and governments in the Dungeness watershed who have worked together for years to develop and implement locally based, long-term solutions to watershed management issues. Subscribe to the Dungeness Instream Flows and Water Management Rule E-mail list to receive periodic updates and new information. Information will be posted on this Web page in a timely manner as we move forward. Overview of the basin
Water SupplyThe Dungeness River watershed lies in the Olympic Mountains’ rain shadow. Very little rain falls during summer and fall when outdoor watering is highest and stream flows the lowest. An average rainfall of 15 inches, together with rapidly growing population, means increasing pressure on water supplies. Climate ChangeProjected climate changes will also affect future water supply. Currently, winter precipitation stored as snow in the Olympics is the source for much of the summer stream flow. Global warming may shift both the timing and form of precipitation, leading to reduced winter snow retention, increased winter flooding and potentially critical effects on late season flow levels. SalmonThe Dungeness River Chinook was listed as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), as well as the Hood Canal and East Juan de Fuca Straits Summer Chum and Bull Trout are listed as threatened. Federal Salmon Recovery PlanningImplementation of the Puget Sound Chinook recovery plan is ongoing. The Dungeness River is part of the Evolutionarily Significant Areas for both Puget Sounds Chinook and the Hood Canal and Straits summer chum; bull trout are listed as well under the Endangered Species Act. The Dungeness River Management Team participated in development of the watershed’s chapter in the draft Puget Sound Chinook Recovery Plan. Individual members of the Elwha Morse Management Team were represented in planning for that area. Local Salmon Recovery PlanningThe Dungeness River Management Team continues to function as an integral part of the North Olympic Lead Entity’s process to review and prioritize salmon recovery funding requests being submitted to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. Contact
Cynthia Nelson, Watershed Lead
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