Ecology Seeks Input On Columbia Plans Hearings To Focus On Agency Proposal To Protect Salmon

The Washington Department of Ecology is conducting a series of hearings on the protection and future uses of water in the Columbia River.

The first of the Eastern Washington hearings is tonight in Spokane.

Ecology officials want to hear from citizens about the agency’s proposal to protect stream flows for endangered salmon while also using the river for other uses.

“There are tremendous demands and expectations placed on the Columbia River by communities, businesses and residents all over the Northwest,” Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons said.

In 1992, Ecology announced a moratorium on new water rights from the Columbia and Snake rivers in response to the National Marine Fisheries Service’s decision to list several Snake River salmon stocks as endangered.

This year, Washington Gov. Gary Locke signed a law ending the Columbia River moratorium and directing Ecology to amend its water allocation rules.

Ecology is proposing to make the current rules for the Columbia apply only to existing water rights permits, Fitzsimmons said. In the second phase of its rule-setting process, Ecology will rewrite management rules for future water users.

Six public hearings, all from 7 to 9 p.m., are scheduled:

Tonight in Spokane at Ecology’s Eastern Regional office, N. 4601 Monroe.

Dec. 10 in Kennewick at Ecology’s office, 1315 W. Fourth Ave.

Dec. 11 in Yakima at Ecology’s central regional office, 15 W. Yakima Ave.

Dec. 16 in Colville at the Stevens County Courthouse, 215 S. Oak.

Dec. 17 in Bridgeport at Bridgeport High School, 1350 Tacoma St.

Dec. 18 in Wenatchee at the Washington State Department of Transportation, 2830 Euclid Ave.

Written comments can be sent to Thom Lufkin, Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-76000. A final decision on the first phase of the rule is expected early next year.

, DataTimes