| The Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team is soliciting comments now through November 6, on its draft 2000 Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan. The plan, last updated in 1996, outlines new state strategies for protecting, restoring and enhancing Puget Sound and is considered the state’s framework for managing and protecting the Sound and for coordinating the roles and responsibilities of federal, state, tribal and local governments.
“Puget Sound will face tremendous ecological pressure over the next decade as more people move into the basin. The houses, roads, jobs and recreation needed to sustain a growing population will place strains on the Sound and its natural resources,” said Nancy McKay, chair of the Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team. “The draft 2000 management plan provides ways to accommodate growth while reducing impacts to the Sound.”
The draft 2000 management plan adds two new programs and significantly amends two others to address emerging issues and incorporate new approaches.
Changes proposed in the 2000 management plan include:
Adding:
• Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Shared Waters Program (To promote and coordinate efforts in Washington and British Columbia to ensure protection, conservation and enhancement of the shared resources of the inland marine waters).
• Aquatic Nuisance Species Program (To prevent the introduction of non-native species to Puget Sound and to control the spread of aquatic nuisance species already introduced).
Updating:
• Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows Program (Explores new measures to protect and restore salmon; encourages innovative development practices; and addresses implementation and enforcement of stormwater programs).
• Marine and Freshwater Habitat Program (Combines the Wetlands Protection, and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection Programs. Incorporates watershed actions for protection of fish, shellfish and other species, establishes scientific benchmarks for the recovery of wetlands and habitat, and addresses the cumulative loss and alteration of shoreline habitat).
The plan is also available for viewing and online comments at the Action Team’s website at www.wa.gov/puget_sound. Printed copies, or copies in an alternative format, can be obtained by contacting the Action Team at (800) 54-SOUND. Written comments can be submitted to:
Puget Sound
Water Quality Action Team
Attn: Steve Tilley, Planning Manger
P.O. Box 40900
Olympia, WA 98504-0900.
Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on November 6, 2000. |
