June 5, 1996

P.O. Box 1708

Sequim, WA 98382

Cynthia Nelson

P.O. Box 47775

Olympia, WA 98504-7775

Dear Cynthia,

Thank you for this opportunity to propose boundary lines for the Discovery Bay watershed. Unfortunately, neither you, me, the counties, nor the tribe have the power to proscribe watershed boundaries. God, nature, or both, depending on one’s religion, beat us to the punch.

Watershed boundaries are finite lines on the earth’s surface and can be readily identified. "Breakpoints" are found on topographic maps.

Enclosed is a delineation of the Discovery Bay watershed prepared by the Puget Sound River Basin Team. The Discovery Bay Watershed Plan modified this map to more accurately reflect the hydrologic and topographic area. A copy of the revised map can be obtained from the WSU extension office in Hadlock.

Furthermore, the Chelan Agreement makes clear that water resource management decisions be made by hydrologic unit. My suggestion is that the Dungeness River Management Team restrict their activities to the Dungeness watershed. Certainly, respecting other watersheds and their plans would be appropriate conduct from this group.

Let me quote from the Discovery Bay Watershed Plan. "Repeatedly throughout the process they (Watershed Committee members) reminded staff that it is the citizens that are to make the decisions, not merely be consulted, who are to manage the watershed, not just be invited to form committees, that it be they who are the owners of the watershed and agencies that are to be ‘public servants’."

Yet these citizens aren’t even notified about these agency proposals in their watershed, let alone asked to participate. From where the Discovery Bay Watershed Committee sits, previous boundary proposals from the DRMT appear rude and arrogant. It dumbfounds me to see suggestions that fail to acknowledge these watershed plans or boundaries.

DOE approved the Discovery Bay Management Plan. DOE had representation on the Puget Sound River Basin Team. What’s going on?

Anyway, Cynthia, thank you again for soliciting my input.

Sincerely,

Steven C. Marble