Welcome to Watershed Planning in Island County.

The 1998 legislature passed Ch. 90.82 RCW, to set a framework for developing local solutions to watershed issues. Ch. 90.82 RCW states: The legislature finds that the local development of watershed plans for managing water resources and for protecting existing water rights is vital to both state and local interests. 

Through Washington State Department of Ecology funds, Island County developed a Water Resource Management Plan. Currently, Island County Public Health is in Phase 4 work of Watershed Planning, also known as the plan implementation phase.

In addition to Department of Ecology's efforts toward watershed planning, they have also provided a web site based tool kit for local governments, organizations and citizens working on water quality projects.

The Department of Ecology and other state resource agencies frequently use a system of 62 "Water Resource Inventory Areas" or "WRIAs" to refer to the state's major watershed basins. Island County is referred to as WRIA 06.

Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) Map

Here are some some frequently asked questions related to watershed planning.

WATERSHED PLANNING - A RESOURCE WORTH SAVING