Quilcene-Snow Water Resources Management Program

Water Resources Management Program - Chapter 173-517 WAC

The Department of Ecology is proposing to adopt a water resource management rule for the Quilcene-Snow Water Resources Inventory Area 17 (WRIA 17).  The proposed rule and associated documents are available for review.  A public hearing on the proposed rule was held on June 25, 2009. The associated comment period ended at 5:00 pm. on July 10, 2009. 

All public comments received by Ecology on the draft of the Draft Water Resource Management Rule for WRIA 17 are now available online.  Comments were received between May 20, 2009 and July 10, 2009 via US Mail, Email, online form submittal, and public hearing testimony.

Corrections to the July 16, 2009 Peninsula Daily News article, Kessler seeks answers from Ecology:

Water resource management rule for the Quilcene-Snow Water Resources Inventory Area 17 (WRIA 17)

Rule proposal documents for Chapter 173-517 WAC - includes links to the:

Additional information:

Background

Watershed planning

The locally-led Quilcene-Snow Watershed Planning Unit completed a comprehensive watershed plan for the Quilcene-Snow in October 2003.  The committee decided it did not have sufficient information at that time to make instream flow recommendations to Ecology.  However, a key commitment in the watershed plan was to continue working with Ecology to try and reach consensus on instream flows.  The watershed management plan was approved by Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners on January 10, 2005.

During 2005 Ecology proposed draft rule language and held two open houses to discuss the proposal with the public.  However, that work was suspended when Ecology officials learned their public involvement effort was inadequate.   They share the public’s desire to create a process that builds on the work done by the WRIA 17 planning unit and involves residents in the Quilcene-Snow watershed.

Since then, Ecology managers and consultants have met with Jefferson and Clallam county residents to resume the watershed management effort in a more inclusive way.

Resource Information

Frequently asked questions

Information about management options being considered, and legal and technical background information in a question and answer format.

Presentations and news releases – Archive

Ecology is providing many opportunities for the public to learn about, and provide feedback, on the water issues facing the watershed.

Overview of the basin

The Quilcene-Snow basin (WRIA 17) is located along the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington State. The basin covers approximately 626 square miles (401,000 acres) and includes portions of Jefferson and Clallam counties. It is bordered to the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the east by Admiralty Inlet, northern Puget Sound and Hood Canal, and to the south and west by the Olympic Mountains and associated foothills and floodplains.

More than 70 percent of the basin is privately owned, and the total population growth is among the highest in the state. The watersheds provide spawning and rearing habitats for four species of salmon: coho, chum, steelhead, and cutthroat. Freshwater rearing is particularly critical for coho whose typical freshwater cycle extends through the summer months when many streams within the basin are flow-limited.

Reference: Washington State Conservation Commission, Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Limiting Factors for Watershed Resource Inventory Area 17, Quilcene/Snow Watershed

For additional information:

E-mail

Subscribe to the Instream Flows – Quilcene/Snow Watershed E-mail list to receive periodic updates and new information.

Contact

Ann Wessel
Phone: (360) 407-6785
Email: awes461@ecy.wa.gov