Watershed Planning: Difference between revisions

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[[file:streamflowplanning2021.jpg|left|400px|Map showing the status of watershed-scale stream flow planning in 2021, as prompted by the Streamflow Restoration Law of 2018]]'''This master topic considers the requirements, history, funding sources, and social-political drivers of watershed planning.  This includes a variety of efforts and programs over the years to better define how human settlement is organized in the landscape--what is protected and what is permitted to be damaged.  Many elements of watershed planning may occur within a [[Jurisdiction]] and is completed by [[Local Government]]s as required under state laws like the [[Growth Management Act]] and the [[Shoreline Management Act]]. However of particular interest are additional efforts that lead to evaluation of ecological systems using natural boundaries, like those organized within [[Watershed Resource Inventory Area]]s, that cross jurisdictional lines. [[Salmon Recovery]] planning has been an important nexus for watershed planning.  However the state [[Watershed Planning Act]] of 1997 precedes the listing of [[Chinook Salmon]] in Puget Sound, and The [[Hirst Decision and Streamflow Restoration]] resulting in the [[Streamflow Restoration Law]] of 2018 has become a driver in renewed local planning at the WRIA scale. These authorities generally place watershed planning activity within the [[Washington State Department of Ecology]] in alignment with interrelated authorities concerning [[Water Supply]] and [[Water Quality]]. These activities are often supported by [[Environmental Protection Agency]] with the [[National Estuary Program]] providing significant federal resources.  This topic organizes links to describe the range of watershed planning efforts in Washington State, focused on watershed units, and outside of [[Salmon Recovery]] '''
[[file:streamflowplanning2021.jpg|left|400px|Map showing the status of watershed-scale stream flow planning in 2021, as prompted by the Streamflow Restoration Law of 2018]]'''This master topic considers the requirements, history, funding sources, and social-political drivers of watershed planning.  This includes a variety of efforts and programs over the years to better define how human settlement is organized in the landscape--what is protected and what is permitted to be damaged.  Many elements of watershed planning may occur within a [[Jurisdiction]] and is completed by [[Local Government]]s as required under state laws like the [[Growth Management Act]] and the [[Shoreline Management Act]]. However of particular interest are additional efforts that lead to evaluation of ecological systems using natural boundaries, like those organized within [[Watershed Resource Inventory Area]]s, that cross jurisdictional lines. [[Salmon Recovery]] planning has been an important nexus for watershed planning.  However the state [[Watershed Planning Act]] of 1997 precedes the listing of [[Chinook Salmon]] in Puget Sound, and The [[Hirst Decision and Streamflow Restoration]] resulting in the [[Streamflow Restoration Law]] of 2018 has become a driver in renewed local planning at the WRIA scale. These authorities generally place watershed planning activity within the [[Washington State Department of Ecology]] in alignment with interrelated authorities concerning [[Water Supply]] and [[Water Quality]]. These activities are often supported by [[Environmental Protection Agency]] with the [[National Estuary Program]] providing significant federal resources.  This topic organizes links to describe the range of watershed planning efforts in Washington State, focused on watershed units, and outside of [[Salmon Recovery]] '''


==Notes==
==General Notes==
*The Hirst Decision and the [[Streamflow Restoration Law]] has resulted in program development at Ecology. https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Water-supply/Streamflow-restoration
*The Hirst Decision and the [[Streamflow Restoration Law]] has resulted in program development at Ecology. https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Water-supply/Streamflow-restoration
**Watershed planning prompted by The Law required [[Jurisdictions]] to complete higher resolution analysis of planned future development.
**Watershed planning prompted by The Law required [[Jurisdictions]] to complete higher resolution analysis of planned future development.
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==Regional Resource Development==
==Regional Resource Development==
*[[Puget Sound Characterization Project]] developed a Puget Sound-wide model of watershed condition, designed to support local governments.
*[[Puget Sound Characterization Project]] developed a Puget Sound-wide model of watershed condition, designed to support local governments.
==Significant Planning Efforts==
*'''TMDL''' - In the realm of [[Water Quality]], [[Total Maximum Daily Load]] studies are completed by [[Ecology]] in response to [[303(d) Listing]] when a waterway has impaired water quality.  These studies result in modelling and landscape analysis, usually at a watershed scale, that serves as [[Best Available Science]] for the purposes of subsequent planning efforts.  However funding and staffing to complete TMDL studies are very limited (what is the current rate or level?). Referencing a TMDL may justify funding under the [[Water Quality Combined Funding Program]]

Revision as of 21:05, 24 September 2021


Map showing the status of watershed-scale stream flow planning in 2021, as prompted by the Streamflow Restoration Law of 2018

This master topic considers the requirements, history, funding sources, and social-political drivers of watershed planning. This includes a variety of efforts and programs over the years to better define how human settlement is organized in the landscape--what is protected and what is permitted to be damaged. Many elements of watershed planning may occur within a Jurisdiction and is completed by Local Governments as required under state laws like the Growth Management Act and the Shoreline Management Act. However of particular interest are additional efforts that lead to evaluation of ecological systems using natural boundaries, like those organized within Watershed Resource Inventory Areas, that cross jurisdictional lines. Salmon Recovery planning has been an important nexus for watershed planning. However the state Watershed Planning Act of 1997 precedes the listing of Chinook Salmon in Puget Sound, and The Hirst Decision and Streamflow Restoration resulting in the Streamflow Restoration Law of 2018 has become a driver in renewed local planning at the WRIA scale. These authorities generally place watershed planning activity within the Washington State Department of Ecology in alignment with interrelated authorities concerning Water Supply and Water Quality. These activities are often supported by Environmental Protection Agency with the National Estuary Program providing significant federal resources. This topic organizes links to describe the range of watershed planning efforts in Washington State, focused on watershed units, and outside of Salmon Recovery

General Notes

Regional Resource Development

Significant Planning Efforts