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Ecology home | Water supply | Streamflow restoration | WRIA 13 Deschutes Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Committee

Last revised: Dec. 5, 2018

The Streamflow Restoration Act (RCW 90.94) is a new law affecting water resource management in Washington State. The law, passed in 2018, helps protect water resources while providing water for families in rural Washington. 

• Read more about the Streamflow Restoration law

The law directs local planning groups in 15 watersheds to develop or update plans that offset potential impacts to instream flows associated with new permit-exempt domestic water use.

We are leading the WRIA 13 Deschutes Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Committee. Get more information:

• If you would like to receive notices about WRIA 13 Deschutes Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Committee meetings, subscribe to the email list.

How the law affects this watershed

As of Jan. 19. 2018, new permit-exempt wells for domestic use in this watershed are:

• allowed 950 gallons per day as the maximum annual average (350 gallons per day during drought).
• subject to a $500 fee.

Please contact your county for more information on these standards as they may change in the final watershed plan or any potential rulemaking.

This watershed:

• has an instream flow rule that does not regulate permit-exempt wells.
• is directed by Section 203 of the new law to adopt a watershed restoration and enhancement plan by June 30, 2021.

 Meetings

This committee has until June 30, 2021 to complete plans that estimate the 20 year consumptive use from permit-exempt wells and identifies projects to offset that consumptive use. The plans will need to meet net ecological benefit.

The standing meeting date will be the 4^th Wednesday of every month, from around 9:00 am – 12:30 pm (location TBD). Future meeting dates will be:

• January 23, 2019
• February 27, 2019
• March 27, 2019
• April 24, 2019
• May 22, 2019
• June 26, 2019

2018

December 12, 12:30 pm to 4 pm at Thurston County PUD, 1230 Ruddell Rd. SE, Lacey, WA 98503

• Agenda
• Draft minutes
• Meeting materials:
  • Draft operating principals

October 25

• Agenda
• Draft minutes
• Meeting materials:
  • ESSB 6091 - Map
  • Focus on: New streamflow restoration law
  • WRIA 13 Deshutes - Basin map
  • Presentation - Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Committee Kickoff Meeting

Streamflow restoration implementation grants

We have launched a grant program for Streamflow Restoration implementation projects. The first round of grants will focus on projects that improve streamflows and instream resources.

• Read more

Resource materials:

• Department of Ecology Streamflow Restoration Webpage
• Hirst v. Whatcom County
• Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6091
• RCW 90.94
• Streamflow Restoration Grants Fiscal Year 2019 Interim Funding Guidance
• Case law
• Initial policy interpretation
• Recommendations for water use estimates

Contact:

Angela Johnson
Streamflow Restoration
angela.johnson@ecy.wa.gov
360 407-6668