Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 13, 2004
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Sandy Howard, Department of Ecology, 360-407-6239
Locke will join elected officials from Thurston, Lewis and Pierce counties as they convene to approve the Nisqually watershed plan. It is the state’s first watershed plan to be fully approved by the counties that share the watershed.
Locke will make the opening remarks at tonight’s event. In 1998, the governor sponsored the Watershed Management Act, which created a framework for locally based planning efforts to improve how water is managed for growing populations, farming, fish, wildlife and recreation.
“There are some decisions that are appropriate for state government. But when it comes to managing local resources, local solutions work best,” Locke said. “The Nisqually watershed plan shows that local collaboration is not only possible, but essential if we want to be successful.”
Because watersheds follow geographic lines, rather than city or county boundaries, it is common to have multiple cities and counties represented in the planning efforts. The Nisqually plan lays the groundwork to meet the future water needs of Olympia, Lacey, Yelm, Roy, Eatonville and unincorporated areas of Lewis, Pierce and Thurston counties that also fall within the watershed.
“It is quite impressive to see three counties, an Indian tribe, a military base and all these cities agreeing about what is best for a watershed and its valuable water resources,” Locke said.
Locke will extend special thanks to the Nisqually Tribe, which coordinated the planning effort.
“The Nisqually Tribe has a long history of building successful collaborations between partners,” Locke said. “This watershed plan is another example of how the tribe continues to bring people together to preserve an important resource.”
The Nisqually watershed plan recommends possibly developing a regional groundwater supply to meet future needs for drinking water and to protect freshwater habitat for salmon. It calls for water-supply availability to be considered by cities and counties when making land-use decisions. The plan’s water assessment is expected to speed water-right decisions and protect against water pollution.
The state Department of Ecology provided $400,875 in grants to help support the Nisqually planning effort. Additional state funding is lined up to help implement the plan and study stream flows in the tributary Mashel River.
In addition to the completed Nisqually plan, watershed planning is currently under way in 41 of Washington’s 62 watersheds.
# # #
Related Links:
- Office of the Governor
- Department of Ecology Watershed Planning Web Site
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 13, 2004
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Sandy Howard, Department of Ecology, 360-407-6239
Gov. Gary Locke Congratulates Participants on Approval of Nisqually Watershed Plan
Gov. Gary Locke tonight will participate in a historic milestone for the Nisqually River watershed and the state, marking a shift in the way water is managed in Washington.Locke will join elected officials from Thurston, Lewis and Pierce counties as they convene to approve the Nisqually watershed plan. It is the state’s first watershed plan to be fully approved by the counties that share the watershed.
Locke will make the opening remarks at tonight’s event. In 1998, the governor sponsored the Watershed Management Act, which created a framework for locally based planning efforts to improve how water is managed for growing populations, farming, fish, wildlife and recreation.
“There are some decisions that are appropriate for state government. But when it comes to managing local resources, local solutions work best,” Locke said. “The Nisqually watershed plan shows that local collaboration is not only possible, but essential if we want to be successful.”
Because watersheds follow geographic lines, rather than city or county boundaries, it is common to have multiple cities and counties represented in the planning efforts. The Nisqually plan lays the groundwork to meet the future water needs of Olympia, Lacey, Yelm, Roy, Eatonville and unincorporated areas of Lewis, Pierce and Thurston counties that also fall within the watershed.
“It is quite impressive to see three counties, an Indian tribe, a military base and all these cities agreeing about what is best for a watershed and its valuable water resources,” Locke said.
Locke will extend special thanks to the Nisqually Tribe, which coordinated the planning effort.
“The Nisqually Tribe has a long history of building successful collaborations between partners,” Locke said. “This watershed plan is another example of how the tribe continues to bring people together to preserve an important resource.”
The Nisqually watershed plan recommends possibly developing a regional groundwater supply to meet future needs for drinking water and to protect freshwater habitat for salmon. It calls for water-supply availability to be considered by cities and counties when making land-use decisions. The plan’s water assessment is expected to speed water-right decisions and protect against water pollution.
The state Department of Ecology provided $400,875 in grants to help support the Nisqually planning effort. Additional state funding is lined up to help implement the plan and study stream flows in the tributary Mashel River.
In addition to the completed Nisqually plan, watershed planning is currently under way in 41 of Washington’s 62 watersheds.
# # #
Related Links:
- Office of the Governor
- Department of Ecology Watershed Planning Web Site
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