A new effort to protect Puget Sound By SUSANNE HINDLE Puget Sound WaterQuality Action Team When it comes to restoring and preserving water quality and habitat in Puget Sound, the "to do" list is never ending. That's where the Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team's focused, two-year strategy comes in. The strategy, which went into effect in July, will help state and federal agencies, tribal and local governments, and interested citizens and businesses target their efforts and take important steps to protect the Sound. The Puget Sound Water Quality Work Plan includes an additional $4.4 million for projects that enhance the Sound's water quality. Photo courtesy of PSWQAT The 1997-99 Puget Sound Water Quality Work Plan directs attention on key issues facing Puget Sound, defines specific roles and activities for federal, tribal, state and local governments, matches state resources with local needs, and provides an additional $4.4 million to pay for new and expanded projects to enhance the health of Puget Sound. "This strategy opens the door for state and local officials to zero in on actions that can lead to improvements in water quality and the protection of aquatic life," said Nancy McKay, chair of the Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team and Puget Sound Council, which developed the 1997-99 Puget Sound Water Quality Work Plan. "Progress made under this work plan, and future work plans, is part of a long-term approach to protecting the Sound." Activities in the work plan are based on the comprehensive plan for managing Puget Sound, which has guided protection efforts for the past 10 years. The current work plan sets the following priorities for protecting Puget Sound over the next two years: Stormwater: Fix existing and prevent future stormwater problems. On-site sewage systems: Fix existing and prevent future on-site sewage problems. Shellfish: Prevent downgrades or closures of certified growing areas and reopen closed areas. Nonpoint pollution: Implement local watershed action plans. Habitat: Improve fish passage and fish and wildlife habitat. Shared waters: Work with British Columbia to promote protection of Puget Sound and the Georgia Basin. Education: Provide education to support the above priorities. What is the Action Team? The 1996 Legislature created the Action Team and directed it to develop and implement biennial work plans to protect Puget Sound. The executives of 10 state agencies, a city and a county representative, and the regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency make up the Action Team. The Legislature also created the Puget Sound Council, whose members are appointed by the governor to represent key stakeholder groups in Puget Sound. The Council includes two members appointed by the Legislature. The Council advises the Action Team, recommending actions to protect the Sound and reviewing progress in implementing the work plans. Roughly one-fourth of the activities in the work plan are identified as key actions, meaning they are priorities this biennium. As an example, local governments will adopt programs to manage stormwater and on-site sewage systems, while state agencies will work together to assist local governments and help them protect shellfish and implement watershed action plans. Under state law, activities in the work plan are aimed primarily at government agencies. "However, the specific projects and initiatives will create a range of opportunities for involvement outside of government," said Kirk Anderson, vice president of management and operations for Fisher Properties in Seattle. Anderson cited the need for assistance in developing or improving environmental technologies for on-site sewage systems and best management practices, and assessing the status of natural resources as examples. Monitoring and research provide the technical foundation for the work plan. Scientists, citizens, consultants, government officials and others will have a chance to share research and monitoring information at Puget Sound Research '98, a conference to be held in Seattle March 12-13, 1998. The Action Team is encouraging participation by anyone who has information to share or would like to learn about the latest research on Puget Sound and the Georgia Basin in British Columbia. A call for papers will be sent out this fall. For information about the Puget Sound Research '98 conference, the Action Team or the work plan, please call 1-800-54-SOUND or (360) 407-7300, or visit the Action Team's web site.