News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 17, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Curt Hart, Department of Ecology, 360-407-7139

Gov. Gary Locke Issues Directive to Protect Water in Streams

Gov. Gary Locke has directed the Department of Ecology to exercise its discretion to set minimum stream flows throughout Washington and to focus resources on implementing local water-management plans.

The governor’s action is in response to recommendations from the Washington Environmental Council, a statewide environmental advocacy organization, on ways to improve the outlook for threatened fish populations.

“Over the past eight years, we have made significant improvements for fish in Washington waters,” Locke said. “We’re starting to see results, but we still have more work to do. I’m calling on Ecology to keep up the good work and not lose momentum.”

In 2001, Locke unveiled a strategy for updating state laws to address the widespread demand for water for population growth, agriculture and fish recovery. The key elements involved adopting and implementing local water-management plans (watershed plans), speeding up water-right decisions, conserving and re-using water so less of it has to be pulled out of the environment, allowing more flexibility in using existing water withdrawals, and firming up long-term water supplies for cities.

Progress has been made on all of these, but Locke said he wants to reinforce the importance of implementing local watershed plans and making sure streams are kept healthy for fish.

“Many of Washington’s rivers and streams do not have enough water to support fish, wildlife, water quality and our environment,” said Joe Ryan, president of the Washington Environmental Council. “WEC supports actions by Gov. Locke to move forward stream flow protection efforts, and we believe it is critical that the next governor continue this important work.”

So far, four watershed plans have been adopted and two of those are entering the implementation phase. Another 20 are expected to be completed by the end of 2005. These locally developed plans identify how to meet future water needs for people while also keeping enough water in streams for fish to be healthy.

State law calls for state regulations to be adopted that identify the amount of water that should be kept in each stream to protect fish. In some cases, local watershed planners will develop flow recommendations for Ecology’s consideration, but in watersheds where local officials can’t agree on stream-flow levels, Ecology is required to do the work. Locke’s directive calls on Ecology to “move promptly forward” and “consistently exercise its discretion” to set, achieve and protect stream flows.

“The state is moving in a constructive direction to realize effective and sustainable water management, and I want to make sure this progress continues,” Locke said.

Building on the work of local efforts, Ecology is moving to adopt stream-flow regulations in six watersheds by end of June 2005.

Ecology Director Linda Hoffman said setting minimum flows is an important step toward effectively managing Washington water supplies.

“We need to meet the water needs of people and business without sacrificing our rivers and creeks,” Hoffman said. “The governor’s directive demonstrates his support for this important work.”

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Related links: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/instream-flows/isfhm.html


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