Frequently Asked Questions - Watershed Planning

1. What is a WRIA?
2. Is local watershed planning required?
3. Who must be involved in watershed planning under chapter 90.82 RCW?
4. What are the required elements of watershed planning under chapter 90.82 RCW?
5. How does watershed planning relate to the Growth Management Act?
6. Who can provide technical assistance to watershed planning efforts?

1. What is a WRIA?

   A WRIA is a water resource inventory area. The State of Washington is divided into 62 geographic areas or WRIAs, defined on the basis of surface water resources and codified in WAC 173-500-040. WRIAs were originally established by the administrative code that implemented the Water Resources Act of 1971.

2. Is local watershed planning required?

   No, local watershed planning is optional, not mandatory. However, if the local planning unit seeks state money to support its planning process, then the framework established in chapter 90.82 RCW must be followed.

3. Who must be involved in watershed planning under ch. 90.82 RCW?

   Watershed planning may involve a single WRIA or multiple WRIAs. It may be initiated only with the agreement of all counties within the planning area, the largest city of town in each WRIA, and the largest water-supply utility in each WRIA. All Indian tribes with reservation lands within the WRIA must be invited to participate as initiating governments. To obtain state funds, the initiating governments must designate an entity to serve as the lead agency. State government and other affected tribal governments must be consulted in developing the planning process. Financial and technical assistance is provided through the Department of Ecology.

4. What are the required elements of watershed planning under chapter 90.82 RCW?

   Local watershed plans must address water quantity and may address water quality, habitat, and setting or revising instream flows.

   The planning units must complete water quantity assessments. The assessment includes the following:

   • An estimate of the total water resources present in the basin, the amount available, the quantity of existing rights (including claims and federally reserved rights), and the quantity of water actually used in the watershed,
   • An estimate of future needs,
   • Identification of areas where aquifers are recharged and where they discharge to surface water bodies,
   • An estimate of surface and groundwater available for future appropriation, taking into account minimum instream flows.

   Also required are strategies for increasing water supplies in the planning area, such as conservation, reuse, voluntary water transfers, aquifer recharge and recovery, and additional water allocations or storage.

5. How does watershed planning relate to the Growth Management Act?

   Watershed planning under chapter 90.82 RCW provides an optional, locally driven, collaborative process to address issues related to water use. It is separate from but related to planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA). Watershed planning provides a structure for interjurisdictional collaboration to resolve conflicts about water.

   Cities and counties will carry out many of the decisions that result from watershed planning efforts. Local comprehensive plans, capital facilities plans, and development regulations are keys to implementation of watershed planning efforts, whether or not a city or county is planning under the GMA. For the majority of the state, which is planning under GMA, the GMA provides the framework for this effort. In addition, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) provide goals and steps that will assist in implementing watershed plans.

   Growth Management staff at the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development will work with local governments to integrate water and GMA planning efforts by providing technical assistance and collaborating with other state agencies and local and tribal governments on watershed planning activities.

6. Who can provide technical assistance to watershed planning efforts?

   State agencies provide technical assistance to watershed planning efforts and should be represented on the planning units formed for the WRIA or multi-WRIA area. The Department of Ecology is responsible for overall coordination of the watershed planning program and is the logical place to start in obtaining technical assistance. A staff contact from the Department of Ecology's regional office is assigned to each watershed plan. Contact Jacque Klug, Ecology watershed coordinator at (425) 649-7124, or e-mail jklu461@ecy.wa.gov, for further information.

WATERSHED PLANNING - A RESOURCE WORTH SAVING