Locke calls for minimum stream flows

Acting on the recommendations of a statewide environmental group, Gov. Gary Locke has told the Washington Department of Ecology to set minimum stream flows throughout the state and to implement local water management plans.

Locke is responding to recommendations from the Washington Environmental Council on ways to protect threatened fish populations, the governor’s office said Wednesday.

“Over the past eight years, we have made significant improvements for fish in Washington waters. I’m calling on Ecology to keep up the good work and not lose momentum,” Locke said in a press release.

The governor’s 2001 water policy strategy included adopting and implementing local watershed plans, speeding up water rights decisions, re-using and conserving water and firming up long-term water supplies for cities.

Some environmentalists have been critical of Locke’s policies for overallocating water rights in a time of population growth, competing demands and drought. But the Washington Environmental Council applauded Locke for backing stream flow protection efforts.

Four watershed plans have been adopted, and another 20 are expected to be completed by the end of 2005. State law calls for identifying the amount of water that should be kept in each stream to protect fish.

In watersheds where local official can’t agree on stream-flow levels, Ecology is required to do that work. Locke’s directive calls on the agency to “consistently exercise its discretion” to protect stream flows.