Chehalis Basin Watershed
Management Plan Development (WRIAs 22/23)

Situation
Triangle was selected to design and facilitate a collaborative, consensus-based, multi-agency process to develop a watershed management plan as provided for in state legislation, ESHB 2514. The planning process was authorized by the numerous "initiating governments" of the Chehalis Basin and carried out by the 52-member Chehalis Basin Partnership. The Partnership includes local, state, federal and tribal governments, and interest groups representing conservation, business, agriculture, recreation, fisheries and others.

Process
The Triangle Associates team helped the Partnership to define the mission, goals and objectives for the watershed planning process and to agree on an outline for the final Plan. After these first two tasks were successfully completed, the Partnership asked Triangle to:

• Facilitate the planning process,
• Recommend a work group structure and manage the schedule,
• Determine the boundaries of four study areas within the Chehalis River Basin,
• Assist the Partnership with identifying watershed management issues of concern in each of the four study areas and developing potential solutions,
• Help the Partnership accomplish effective public outreach and involvement, and
• Draft the Watershed Management Plan for review and approval by participating counties. 

Results
The Chehalis watershed planning process was ultimately successful. In May 2004 all four participating county governments voted unanimously to approve the plan. It recommends numerous practical strategies for how the Partnership can manage the water resources in the watershed in ways that are responsive to the Endangered Species Act, public water supply needs, fisheries, and other requirements.