Water Management Initiative

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Water Management Initiative

The Water Managment Initiative is a water management program under development in the Walla Walla Watershed. The Washington State Department of Ecology, in 2005, considered the significance of water challenges in the basin, the limited ability of regulatory options to improve flows, and the Basin's track record of innovative approaches, mutual respect and successful cooperation and made an unprecedented offer to the Walla Walla Basin: Ecology would partner with the basin to manage water and seek authorities to allow flexible water practices, if the basin:

Commits to target flows that support fish
Devises approach that achieves flows
Gains commitment from water users
Manages conflicts within the basin

The Basin responded by developing the Water Management Initiative, and in 2008-9 a proposal for a Walla Walla Watershed Management Partnership. The Water Management Initiative and the Partnership are designed to develop a locally governed water management system that will significantly contribute to the restoration and protection of streamflows, aquifers, and water quality to support recovery of ESA listed species (steelhead and bull trout). They are also intended to provide a degree of local autonomy and responsibility for water management, giving those with the most at stake greater influence over their own destiny.

To develop the Water Management Initiative and this proposal, the basin community and Ecology began a multi-year process that included scientific studies to determine hydrologic conditions and fish needs; legal and policy assessments to explore opportunities within the water code and possibilities for interstate water management; a review of lessons learned from similar efforts; an examination of capacities and gaps within the basin; and numerous public forums and stakeholder consultations.

The basin's efforts led to the 2008 legislative proviso that requested the basin develop a proposal reflecting its approach to achieve comprehensive water management in the basin. The Walla Walla community worked closely with Ecology to initiate a basin-wide stakeholder process to design this proposal for comprehensive water management that addresses the requirements of the proviso, meet the conditions of Ecology's offer, and matched the spirit of the Water Management Initiative.

Studies and final proposal related to this report:

Walla Walla Watershed Management Partnership: A Proposal for a Pilot Local Water Management Program in the Walla Walla Basin

Managing Many Waters

The Walla Walla Water Management Initiative

Videos:

A Quiet Revolution - Water Without War

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