Letter from the Executive Director |
Greetings!
As we are finally starting to see rain again, we reflect on a surprising water year. Hydrologist track and measure water on a different time cycle than a standard calendar year. A water year is measured from October 1st through September 30th. As a new water year is about to start we look back to see what patterns might continue.
This summer showed us that even in years with great winter and spring snowpack, our waters are in trouble. With extreme heat and parched land, snowpack melted quickly. Areas that don't rely on snowpack, but rather precipitation, are in even more trouble since they received below average precipitation for much of the year. As drought seasons become longer and temperatures warmer, this pattern will continue. Low flows, warm rivers, dry wells, and more will continue to be bigger issues for everyone.
CELP will continue to work for better water management and not let progress towards water conservation and water use efficiency take the back burner during the rainy season. More needs to be done for our waters. We all rely on healthy, abundant waterways.
10 years ago in September the world's largest dam removal project was started on the Elwha River. Dam removal has helped restore the estuary, river, and wildlife but recovery is ongoing. Now as more dams projects are proposed, CELP continues to fight for our rivers, fish, and treaty rights. We are working to help stop the Chehalis River dam project and encourage alternative approaches for flood management. Our waters need protected for salmon, the environment, and our communities.
In this issue you will find an introduction to CELP's newest Board Members, an update on the Chehalis River, Information on Ecology's grants, water and fish news, and upcoming events.
Sincerely,
Trish Rolfe
Executive Director
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New Board Members
Chehalis River Action
Ecology's Grants
Water & Fish News
Upcoming Events
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NEW DATE Dec. 9th
Ivar's Salmon House
Nov. 17th -18th
Virtual
Oct. 6th-7th
Virtual
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Help ensure clean and flowing waters in Washington State by making a gift to CELP! |
Check out Water Stories. These heartfelt, personal celebrations of water together, highlight the vital importance of healthy amounts of clean, flowing water in our communities.
"Water and the flow of a river slow the world down for me, allowing me to focus on what’s a hand and quiet the world around me."- Josh Mills
Check out our new form to submit your water story! |
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Welcome New CELP Board Members |
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We are thrilled to welcome Douglas Kilgore and Gary Morishima to CELP's Board of Directors and excited to have their expertise on the CELP team. |
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Doug Kilgore was born and raised in the Connecticut River Valley. He then traveled west, gathering degrees at Reed College and University of Chicago. For 20 years he represented janitors and hospital workers as a staff member and elected officer of SEIU Local 6 in Seattle. In 2003 he became the Executive Director of the Worker Owner Council- a Building Trades organization representing interests of workers by engaging companies where pension funds are invested and advocating good corporate governance and fair treatment of workers and suppliers. In 2021 he retired with plans to continue this work as a consultant.
Since 1987 he has lived in Roslyn where he played a leading role in the community organization, RIDGE, prior to its dissolution in 2011. RIDGE initially focused on reform of Washington forest practice regulations but later turned to land-use and water resource issues in Kittitas County- especially those presented by the development of the Suncadia Resort adjacent to Roslyn. In 2011 RIDGE, Futurewise and the KCCC won a victory at the Washington State Supreme Court that led to a comprehensive settlement of water and land-use regulations in Kittitas County. Between 2014 and 2017 he served on the Roslyn City Council.
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Gary has been the Natural Resources Technical Advisor to the President at Quinault Indian Nation since 1974. He holds a PhD in Quantitative Science and Environmental Management from the University of Washington and is an Affiliate Professor with the University of Washington’s School of the Environment and Forest Sciences. Gary has over 40 years of experience in computer simulation modeling, natural resource management, legislative processes, policy analysis, mathematical statistics, workshop organization and conduct, conflict resolution, and meeting facilitation. Gary is a member of many committees and technical groups including, Pacific Salmon Commission Technical Committees, Washington State Department of Natural Resources Carbon Sequestration Advisory Group, National Congress of American Indians Climate Action Task Force, Chehalis Basin Science Review Team, and more. |
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The Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District is proposing to construct a new dam near the town of Pe Ell to address flooding during peak rainfall. This man-made imposition will further endanger existing ecosystems while providing only partial relief to flooded areas. The Chehalis River Alliance has suggested many alternatives approaches, including managing designated flood areas to redirect waters and riparian restoration to reduce erosion and improve salmon habitat.
The repercussions of the proposed dam will weaken the already threatened Chinook Salmon ecosystem in on of Washington's most essential rivers for salmon. This action will further also reduce the food supply for resident Orcas in Puget Sound.
The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis and the Quinault Nation oppose the proposed dam. They have federally protected treaty rights, among them the right of "taking fish, at all usual and accustomed fishing grounds and stations". Their rights need to be honored and salmon runs protected.
We need to do better than a dam. It is imperative that we use forward thinking strategies, based on current science to ensure a safer and better future for all.
Please stand with us in protecting this precious resource. Let your voice be heard in defense of our natural resources by contacting Governor Jay Inslee and the Chehalis Basin Board.
Governor Jay Inslee
Write Governor Jay Inslee Office of the Governor PO Box 40002. Olympia, WA 98504-0002
Call: 360-902-4111. TTY/TDD call 711 or 1-800-833-6384. · Fax: 360-753-4110.
Chehalis Basin Board
Vickie Raines, Chair: 360-249-3731
Edna Fund: 360-269-7515
Jay Gordon: 360-482-3485
Tyson Johnston: 360-276-8211 ext. 1855
Harry Pickernell: 360-273-5911
J. Vander Stoep: 360-748-9281
Steve Malloch: 206-818-0482
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Ecology's Streamflow Restoration Competitive Grants |
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Ecology’s streamflow restoration competitive grants will open on November 2, 2021 and close at 5 p.m., February 1, 2022. Eligible applicants include tribal governments, public entities, and nonprofit organizations within Washington.
We plan to award up to $40 million during this round. The money will fund projects intended to help increase streamflow and improve aquatic resources, such as, water storage, water right acquisitions, fish habitat improvements, environmental monitoring or improvements in water management and infrastructure.
We will hold three online workshops so potential applicants can learn more about the application process and purpose of the grants. Please visit the event pages below for more information and the registration link for our workshops:
For more information read our blog:
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Check out this great read on the meaning of healthy rivers, waters, and community.
"I consider myself to be a water protector, not by choice but necessity. Instead of spending time with my family, practicing basket weaving, singing songs in Yurok and Karuk, and canning salmon, I spend my time arguing with people who do not understand the basics of Indian law and culture, people who simply cannot understand the depth of the issues I address." Brook Thompson
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The ancient bond between a great river, its creatures,...
For those who live on the Klamath River, its health reflects the people, positioning us on the precipice of life or death.
Read more
www.motherjones.com
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- DNR land in Eastern Washington reopened September 16th. The statewide burn ban for DNR-protected lands has been lifted, however, local burn restrictions may still be in place.
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Nisqually Tribe Looks to Replace Interstate 5 Bridge Over Nisqually River. Read more.
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Declining Salmon Populations impact Pacific Northwest Tourism and Economy for towns and Tribes. Read more.
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Swinomish Intent to Sue U.S. Army Corps of Engineeers to protect endangered salmon. Read more.
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California Water Board adopts emergency flow minimums for Shasta and Scott Rivers. Read more.
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Sauk-Suiattle sues Seattle City Light, says it can't call itself 'green' with the harm being done to salmon. Read more.
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Illegal pot farms take West’s scarce water. Read more.
- Does Nature Have Rights? A Burgeoning Legal Movement Says Rivers, Forests and Wildlife Have Standing, Too. Read more.
- Old Snoqualmie sawmill is being targeted for development. Whats the impact on environment and water? Read more.
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AWRA-WA State Conference 2021
When: October 6th and 7th, 2021
Where: Virtually
Event: The Washington Section of the American Water Resources Association will host a virtual conference on: “Transboundary Water Resources Management and Water Marketing Trends.”
This year’s Keynote address will be presented by Robert W. Sandford. Bob holds the Chair in Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. In this capacity Bob was the co-author of the UN Water in the World We Want report on post-2015 global sustainable development goals relating to water.
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8th Annual One River, Ethics Matter Conference
When: November 17-18, 2021
Where: Virtual on Zoom
Event: The 8th annual One River Ethics Matter conference will focus on the Indigenous-led work of kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ – restoring ntytyix (salmon) to the Okanagan and Upper Columbia rivers.
Hosted by the Okanagan Nation Alliance and The University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus.
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Celebrate Water
Presenting Sponsor the Tulalip Tribes
NEW DATE: December 9th, 2021
Where: Ivar's Salmon House
Event: CELP will honor local water heroes Sharon Haensly and Kimberly Ordon, celebrate successes for our waters, and raise funds to continue our important work protecting Washington’s water resources.
Sponsors: Tulalip Tribes, Squaxin Island Tribe, Quinault Indian Tribe, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, QFC, Maya Whole Health Studio, Coho Water Resources, Law Office of M. Patrick Williams, Rachael & John Osborn
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85 S Washington St #301,
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 829-8299
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Thanks for taking the time to read Washington Water Watch! With your help, CELP has accomplished many victories, yet more work remains to be done. You can support our work by making a donation online here, or mailing a check to: 85 S. Washington St #301 Seattle, WA 98104.
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