|
Portions of a "watershed management plan" revealed to public www.konp.com (Sequim, WA) - Portions of a draft watershed management plan relating to the Dungeness River area were revealed in an open house at Carrie Blake Park Tuesday evening that drew 30 spectators. Elwha River-Morse Creek segments of the draft plan were showcased Monday evening at the Vern Burton gym in Port Angeles. For the past two years, members of the Dungeness River Management Team and the Elwha River and Morse Creek Management Team worked to create a plan for their areas. The two plans were merged in the Water Resource Inventory Area 18 watershed plan. County Commissioner Steve Tharinger, who chairs the Dungeness River Management Team says the idea is to try to figure out how much water is available and how to manage it for the future. Within that framework are a number of issues: storm water, land use, surface water, water quality, and water rights among others. Curious citizens circulated between tables where displays outlining recommendations for different aspects of the lengthy watershed plan. County water specialist Val Streeter says for the most part, participants wanted to know what is going on with the plan. Comments on the plan can be submitted through April 15. Workshops will be held through April and May to incorporate comments and modify the draft plan which is scheduled to be submitted in final form to the county in July for review. A public hearing will then be scheduled. |