WRIA 62 WMP 032305 - Washington State Department of Ecology

March, 2005 -96- 023-1289-003.3040
RANK ISSUE
WRIA 62 WMP 032305
Summary of Top Tier Issues for Implementation
1 Growth and Land Use Planning, GR&LU-1
There is a need to integrate information on current and projected water supply and demand with
land use.
2 Water Quality, WQUAL-2
Eurasian watermilfoil and other aquatic nuisance weeds pose a threat to native habitat and public
safety in the Pend Oreille watershed.
2 Water Rights, WR-2
When future minimum instream flows are established, any new water rights that are junior to the
minimum instream flows may be restricted when minimum instream flows are not met. There is a
need to quantify water available for future allocation and/or reservation.
4 Water Quantity, QUANT-2a
To effectively address competing water needs now and in the future, instream flow needs for the
Pend Oreille River mainstem and the tributaries to the Pend Oreille River and Priest River Basin
in WRIA 62 should be more fully understood in areas where water demand is expected to
increase.
5 Water Quantity, QUANT-2b
There is a need to ensure that the Watershed Planning Implementing Body is involved in instream
flow studies, study recommendations and any instream flow rule-making in WRIA 62.
6 Economic Impacts, EC-2
There is a need to ensure meaningful community input into water regulations.
7 Habitat, H-3b
Stream bank erosion in WRIA 62 along the tributaries to the Pend Oreille River is resulting in
degraded riparian habitat and water quality. The causes of stream bank erosion need to be
confirmed and mitigated.
7 Growth and Land Use Planning, GR&LU-3
Road building and improper maintenance can negatively impact water quality and aquatic habitat.
9 Economic Impacts, EC-1b
There is a need to identify and inform local communities about resources to assist local
communities in complying with water regulation. (Note that the goal of this issue is local
community understanding of and compliance with water regulation in WRIA 62).
10 Water Quality, WQUAL-3b
There is a need to participate in the TMDL processes and provide input on TMDLs for the
mainstem Pend Oreille River.
10 Habitat, H-3a
River bank erosion along the mainstem of the Pend Oreille River is resulting in degraded aquatic
habitat and water quality. The causes of erosion need to be confirmed and mitigated.
10 Water Quality, WQUAL-4a
The natural quality of drinking water provided to some communities does not meet Washington
State secondary drinking water standards.
10 Water Quantity, QUANT-3
Flood Control. (Note that the goal of this issue is to have more local input into flood related
issues in WRIA 62).