Working to protect and promote the Nisqually Watershed for current and future generations

Nisqually Watershed Water Planning Unit

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

Nisqually Watershed Response to the 2018 Streamflow Restoration Act (RCW 90.94): Addendum to the Nisqually Watershed Management Plan (1/6/19)

Department of Ecology Adoption Order (2/1/19)

Planning Unit Documents

EIS/SEPA Review Checklist and Supporting Documents (Pierce County Permit ID #903160)

EIS Addendum (1/29/19)

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

Minutes

July 24, 2018 – Nisqually Indian Tribe Natural Resources

Agenda    Minutes

August 30, 2018 – Nisqually Indian Tribe Natural Resources

Agenda    Minutes

September 19, 2018 – Yelm Community Center

Agenda    Minutes

October 17, 2018 – Thurston Public Utility District

Agenda    Minutes

November 14, 2018 – Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Agenda    Minutes

December 19, 2018 – Nisqually Indian Tribe Council Chambers

Agenda    Minutes

January 16, 2019 – Nisqually Indian Tribe

Agenda    Minutes

February 20, 2019 – Nisqually Indian Tribe

Agenda     Minutes

March 13, 2019 – Thurston PUD

Agenda    Minutes

May 15, 2019 – Thurston PUD

Agenda     Minutes

June 12, 2019 – Thurston PUD

Agenda     Minutes

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:

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