ESSB 6091 – Streamflow Restoration Act
In the 2018 Streamflow Restoration Act (ESSB 6091), the Washington State Legislature mandated that the Nisqually Watershed Planning Unit proceed quickly to develop a watershed plan amendment to develop strategies to mitigate impacts of future exempt wells on stream flows. The Legislature, in passing the act, allocated $300 million in capital funds over the next 15 years for all watershed planning and watershed restoration and enhancement projects.
The Nisqually Planning Unit approved a Watershed Plan Addendum for WRIA 11 addressing the Streamflow Restoration Act on January 16, 2019. The Department of Ecology adopted the Addendum on February 1, 2019. The Addendum estimates consumptive water use by new domestic permit-exempt well connections within the watershed through 2040, and identifies mitigation actions to offset instream flow impacts of this use and provide Net Ecological Benefit. Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners adopted the Addendum by on April 29, 2019. Pierce County Council adopted the Addendum on September 24, 2019. Adoption processes by Lewis County and the Nisqually Indian Tribe governments are ongoing.
Planning Unit meeting schedule and materials are available here for members of the public. Contact info@nisquallyriver.org for more information.
Watershed Plan Addendum
Department of Ecology Adoption Order (2/1/19)
Planning Unit Documents
EIS/SEPA Review Checklist and Supporting Documents (Pierce County Permit ID #903160)
Nisqually Planning Unit Working Agreement (signed 11/5/18)
Planning Guidance (Washington State Department of Ecology)
Public Comment from CAC Public Information Session, 10/11/18
Nisqually Water Planning Unit Fact Sheet (one page)
Planning Unit Meeting Schedule
Planning Unit meetings are open to the public. For information, please contact tristan@nisquallyriver.org.
June 28, 2018 – Nisqually Indian Tribe Natural Resources
July 24, 2018 – Nisqually Indian Tribe Natural Resources
August 30, 2018 – Nisqually Indian Tribe Natural Resources
September 19, 2018 – Yelm Community Center
October 17, 2018 – Thurston Public Utility District
November 14, 2018 – Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
December 19, 2018 – Nisqually Indian Tribe Council Chambers
January 16, 2019 – Nisqually Indian Tribe
February 20, 2019 – Nisqually Indian Tribe
March 13, 2019 – Thurston PUD
May 15, 2019 – Thurston PUD
June 12, 2019 – Thurston PUD
Nisqually Watershed Management Plan
The 2019 Streamflow Restoration plan for the Nisqually is an Addendum to the existing Nisqually Watershed Management Plan adopted for WRIA 11 by the Nisqually Planning Unit in 2003. A Detailed Implementation Plan was adopted in 2007. Both plans are available via the Department of Ecology’s website: