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Watershed planning is an important component of the nonpoint-source pollution program in the Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan.
- 'Nonpoint' refers to sources of pollution that originate from numerous, diverse activities around Puget Sound. The cumulative effect of these activities can harm water quality as much, if not more, than pollution that originates from a distinct source, such as a wastewater discharge pipe.
- The Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Ecology, adopted and subsequently revised the Nonpoint Rule (Chapter 400-12 WAC) to guide local watershed planning and management.
- Under the Puget Sound Plans program addressing nonpoint-source pollution, a committee of local representatives in each Puget Sound county identified and ranked its watersheds.
- Watershed management committees develop action plans to prevent and reduce nonpoint pollution and to restore and protect habitat in priority watersheds.
Implementing the Watershed Plan
- The lead implementing agency coordinates implementing entities, identifies funding sources and provides annual watershed report cards on progress and barriers to the watershed community, Ecology and the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority.
- Watershed management councils are appointed to help lead agencies oversee and implement the plan, involve the public and develop the watershed report card.
Additional information and copies of the full text of the rule (Chapter 400-12 WAC, Local Planning and Management of Nonpoint Source Pollution) may be obtained by calling the Authority at:
(360) 407-7300 or 1-800-54-SOUND
