Ecology provides $11 million to boost stream flows, protect watersheds, strengthen economy
In response to the economic slowdown, the 2009 Legislature provided $11 million to local communities to improve water availability, water quality and fisheries habitat across the state.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is awarding:
*$4 million to fund 10 projects to improve stream flows and fish habitat in the Elwha Dungeness, Entiat, Island, Quilcene-Snow and Walla Walla watersheds. Six counties will be affected: Chelan, Clallam, Island, Jefferson, Walla Walla and Whatcom.
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Olympic Peninsula grants totaling $810,000 for stream flow improvements will be used as follows:
* $450,000 to the Clallam Conservation District to replace 8,250 feet of open irrigation ditch with pipeline, part of a multi-phase project that will ultimately pipe the entire Dungeness Irrigation District;
* $265,000 to Clallam County to continue work with Jamestown S’Klallam tribal water users and Washington Water Trust to secure sources of water for the launch of a Dungeness water exchange; and
* $95,000 to Public Utilities District No. 1 of Jefferson County for a water storage feasibility study of Peterson Lake.
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In Western Washington, 12 watershed planning units are receiving grants:
* Elwha-Dungeness - $100,000 to help put a water management rule in place for the Dungeness River basin and $180,000 for plan implementation.
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* Elwha-Dungeness, Quilcene-Snow and Wind - $60,000 for continued stream gauging to manage water supply and demand.
full article at http://www.yelmonline.com/articles/2009/08/12/first_report/doc4a82f90bdc2d1637003380.txt