Title
Approval of a Resolution Designating the Thurston Regional Planning Council as the Lead Entity for the Water Resources Inventory Area 13
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to Approve a Resolution designating the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) as the Lead Entity for the Water Resources Inventory Area (WRIA) 13.
Report
Issue:
Whether to designate the TRPC as the Lead Entity for the WRIA 13.
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, 360.753.8244
Andy Haub, Director of Water Resources, 360.570.3795
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Lead entities were created by the Legislature in 1999 and perform an essential role in salmon recovery in Washington State. Lead entities are watershed-based organizations that solicit, develop, prioritize and submit habitat protection and restoration projects to the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) for funding. Lead entities establish and support a Citizens Committee and Technical Advisory Group, develop and adapt strategies, review potential projects and garner community support for salmon recovery.
For the last 20 years, the Thurston County District (TCD) has been the lead entity for WRIA 13 (the Deschutes River watershed) and has supported a number of City projects designed to aid in salmon recovery. Earlier this year, the City was informed of challenges inhibiting the TCD for continuing its role as Lead Entity.
Following discussions with other WRIA 13 stakeholders and the TRPC, general consensus was reached acknowledging TRPC’s capacity to act as lead entity, specifically noting its regional scope and long history of successfully convening stakeholder groups and long history of successfully convening stakeholders.
On August 8, 2018 the Olympia City Council sent letters to the TRPC and Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office supporting a change in the lead agency role for administering State Salmon Recovery act funds. At its September 7, 2018 board meeting, the TRPC Board unanimously approved taking the lead role in WRIA 13, providing its founding members agreed to the action. So far three have agreed and three more are pending action.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Numerous groups and individuals in Olympia support salmon restoration work.
Options:
1. Approve the resolution
2. Amend and approve the resolution
3. Do not approve the resolution
Financial Impact:
Moving the funds to TRPC would ensure that nearly $800,000 in State funds are preserved for salmon recovery grants in this region.
Attachments:
Resolution