Instream flow debate continues over Dungeness, Elwha Rivers
4/5/04
from
the WA State Dept. of Ecology
Chapter 173–518 WAC - Instream Resources Protection and Watershed
Management Program Elwha Dungeness - WRIA 18 (New WAC)
The Elwha Dungeness Water Inventory Resource Area is one of the only
designated “water-critical” watersheds in western Washington without
an instream flow rule. The adoption of this rule is needed to fulfill
the statutory requirements of Chapters 90.54 and 90.82 RCW; implement
those obligations Ecology agreed to in the watershed plan that must
be addressed through regulations; protect instream resources and ESA-listed
fish; allow Ecology to proceed with water right decisions; and provide
a quantity of ground water and set up a framework in order to implement
the watershed plan’s management strategies.
Read the "pre-proposal" here
MORE INFORMATION From the Dept. of Ecology website:
Instream
Flows In Washington
Introduction
The term “instream flow” is used to identify a specific stream flow
(typically measured in cubic feet per second, or cfs) at a specific
location for a defined time, and typically following seasonal variations.
Instream flows are usually defined as the stream flows needed to protect
and preserve instream resources and values, such as fish, wildlife
and recreation. Instream flows are most often described and established
in a formal legal document, typically an adopted state rule.
Once formalized in rule, instream flows are used for two primary
water management purposes:
To determine whether water is available for new out-of-stream uses
and regulate those new uses, and
To define the stream flows that need to be met in the stream.
Protecting Stream Flows:
Learn the basics about stream flows and instream flows, and why they
are important.
Background
Ecology’s Work Plan for Instream Flow Setting through 2010 (402kb
pdf) is a working document that describes how the Departments of Ecology
and Fish & Wildlife will address state-wide instream flow setting
through 2010.
Current Activities:
Action
plan for setting, achieving and protecting stream flows January
2004 through June 2005
Instream flow rules under development
Washington
Water Acquisition Program, a voluntary program using state and
federal funds, is providing an opportunity for water-right holders
to participate in salmon recovery by selling, leasing or donating
their water where critically low stream flows limit fish survival.
Watershed Planning:
Watershed planning groups are assessing whether stream flows are adequate
for current and future uses. Many will be recommending instream flows
as part of their water
management plans.
The Science Behind Instream Flows:
Scientific methods for determining how much water fish need
Instream Flow Study (technical) Guidelines
River and stream flow monitoring
Laws and Rules:
Instream flow rules currently under development
Primary statutes and legal basis related to instream flows (24 K PDF)
Instream flow rules: Adopted Basin Plans and Instream Resources
Protection Programs
Resources and Studies:
Maps, publications, studies, links to other sites.
Contacts:
If you have technical or scientific questions about instream flows,
contact:
Brad Caldwell
Department of Ecology, HQ
(360) 407-6639
brca461@ecy.wa.gov
Dr. Hal Beecher
Department of Fish & Wildlife
(360) 902-2421
beechhab@dfw.wa.gov
For policy questions, contact:
Doug Rushton
Department of Ecology
(360) 407-6513
drus461@ecy.wa.gov