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Instream Flow Evaluation Executive Summary
Instream flows are an important element in efforts to allocate water to meet water needs in Whatcom County. Under the current regulatory instream flows established under Washington State law in 1985, water is generally no longer available in Whatcom County for new uses. A new use includes supplying water for new growth, as well as legal use of water to anyone who has been using water without the required permits.
To address this situation, pilot projects for reviewing existing instream flows, and negotiating and recommending new instream flows have been undertaken. The WRIA 1 Instream Flow Selection and Adoption Action Plan describes a watershed-by-watershed approach to identifying and adopting instream flows.
During the fall of 2007, an evaluation of the Instream Flow Pilot Negotiation project process began. This Instream Flow Evaluation Executive Summary provides information learned from the pilot projects.