  |
|
|
The Department of Ecology is working with local governments, tribes, business owners, environmental organizations, residents and others in eastern Jefferson and Clallam counties to develop a proposed instream flow and water management rule for the Quilcene-Snow Water Resources Inventory Area (WRIA) 17.
The rule will guide water use planning and decision-making for future domestic needs while protecting water in streams needed for important fish species and existing water rights.
Ecology has a legal obligation to provide for reliable supplies of drinking water and to protect instream resources. That’s a delicate balance but one that can be achieved by working cooperatively.
Information will be posted on this Web page in a timely manner as we move forward.
Information about management options being considered, and legal and technical background information in a question and answer format.
Ecology is providing many opportunities for the public to learn about, and provide feedback, on the water issues facing the watershed.
Concerned about your watershed? We invite you to give us your suggestions, input and ideas on managing water in your watershed. Please submit your suggestions using the suggestion form:
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.
 |
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. For additional information: |
Subscribe to the Instream Flows – Quilcene/Snow Watershed E-mail list to receive periodic updates and new information.
Ann Wessel
Phone: (360) 407-6785
Email:
awes461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
