Legislature would authorize management councils across the state

Olympia, WA - The State Legislature is looking at a bill which would authorize watershed councils to determine how watersheds are managed and governed. HB-2514, which would allocate $500,000 for each participating planning unit, would create councils which could encompass multiple watersheds, crossing county lines, to "meet federal and state water quality standards," among other requirements.

The key to meeting existing regulatory objectives, according to the bill, is the "involvement and support of local citizens and local governments working cooperatively with state, federal, and tribal governments. (public/private partnerships)

The bill refers to the watersheds planned as pilot projects in the Methow and Dungeness/Quilcene areas. Much criticism has stemmed from the creation of both of these projects by citizens in the area of the councils, especially as to who participates in the decision-making process and who has final authority. The Dungeness River Management Team (DRMT) has come under heavy criticism for its consensus-based decisions, with most members of the Team being representatives of agencies - both state and federal - nongovernmental groups (NGOs) and only one elected representative, Clallam County Commissioner Martha Ireland, who presently does not have the power of vote, since she is acting as Chair.