During Celebrate Waters 2024, CELP proudly presented Tom Ring, a retired hydrogeologist, with the Ralph…
Washington Water Watch August 2024
Say Hello to Summer!
A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Summer is in full swing, and we are thankfully being spared from the excessive heat plaguing most of the US. However, because we had an unusually dry spring, the Department of Ecology declared a drought for most of the state in April.
All the snowpack we accumulated over the winter has melted, and most of our rivers are running below normal levels resulting in higher-than-normal temperatures. Climate change is making warm, dry summers more common in the state, and increasing the frequency and severity of droughts.
Our current water management system is unprepared to handle these changes, and water users are not equally impacted. Those with earlier water rights face less curtailment of their water use, and those with junior water rights — like the instream flows — face impacts that harm fish and wildlife, small farmers, and some drinking water for residents.
As the frequency of droughts in Washington state accelerates, more needs to be done to manage water to protect in-stream flows and fish as well as making the impacts from water shortages felt equally by all out-of-stream users.
Washington’s Department of Ecology Water Resource division has released a new strategic plan outlining a plan to address some of these issues. You can read more about it here. CELP will work with Ecology to make sure Washington Tribes are included in the process, and that priority is given to protecting instream resources.
Warmly,
Trish Rolfe, Executive Director
SUPPORT OUR WORK
CELP is the only Washington organization that ensures our water policies protect habitats and species, streamflows, and treaty water rights. We ensure state agencies use the latest science in making decisions and that our laws and policies are updated to address the realities of climate change. Without us, corporate interests will continue to take what they like without concern for the health of the waterways, and state agencies will allow streamflows to disappear.
We rely on our memberships to supply funds to help us act decisively and to provide strength to our voice as we work with agencies, government bodies, and leadership to create stronger water management policies.
The July 3, 2024 edition of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
UPDATE: Statewide Drought
Since declaring a statewide drought in April this year, Washington’s Department of Ecology has monitored changes in precipitation and streamflows. WA has experienced a drier June/July with below average precipitation, so the WA State drought emergency is still in effect.
Based on findings from the U.S. Drought Monitor and the Office of the Washington State Climatologist (OWSC), drought conditions have worsened in some areas of eastern and central WA — there’s even an area of central Washington experiencing a “severe drought.”
Visit the Department of Ecology’s Statewide Conditions Webpage here.
Columbia River Treaty “Agreement in Principle” Prioritizes Hydropower and Flood Control Over the Needs of Imperiled Salmon and River Health
The “Agreement in Principle” (AIP) between the United States and Canada was released last month, announcing the key elements for a modernized Columbia River Treaty. Despite the call for Ecosystem Function – the health of the river and native fish – to be added as a third purpose of the Treaty, the AIP does not offer much protection as it stands and still prioritizes hydropower production and flood control.
As a proud member of the Columbia River Treaty NGO Caucus, CELP works towards for a modernized Columbia River Treaty that serves the Northwest region’s current and future needs.
No on 2117 Campaign
CELP endorses the No on 2117 Campaign because we believe Initiative No. 2117 will disrupt and debilitate WA State environmental progress if voted into legislation. If passed, it will prohibit state and local agencies from imposing carbon tax credit trading (“cap-and-trade” or “cap-and-tax” programs). This initiative would repeal the 2021 Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which caps and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from Washington’s largest emitters.
REGISTER NOW!
CELP will host our annual Celebrate Waters event to celebrate successes for our waters, honor a local water hero, gather as a community, and raise funds to continue our work. Tickets are $65 per person.
Event Details
When: September 12th, 5:00PM to 7:30 PM
Where: Ivar’s Salmon House at 401 NE Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98105
Speaker: Willie Frank III
Ralph Johnson Water Hero Award: Tom Ring, a retired hydrogeologist with the Water Resources Program of the Yakama Nation.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor: Anne, Brady & Jill Johnson
Celebrate this year’s Water Hero: Tom Ring
Tom Ring has had a long career advocating for healthy stream flow for fish and representing tribal interests. As a hydrogeologist with the Water Resources Program of the Yakama Nation, he worked on a variety of projects involving groundwater and surface water quantity and quality, water rights, irrigation and fisheries issues, and planning for future water needs. Tom previously worked for the Water Resources Program at the Washington Department of Ecology and has served on CELP’s advisory board since our inception. His work embodies the connection between water and tribal treaty rights and the vision of our founder Ralph W. Johnson.
Meet Katelyn Foronda, CELP’s new Administrative & Development Assistant
Katelyn earned her A.A. degree from Highline College before transferring to and completing her B.A. in Law, Societies, and Justice at the University of Washington. Katelyn was drawn towards CELP and its mission because she sees water as something that connects people with each other, the land, and the wildlife that we share this world with.
At CELP, she assists with office administration and fundraising to protect Washington’s rivers and streams. Outside of working at CELP, Katelyn enjoys volunteering for local community events, spending quality time with her family and pug, and is an avid horror movie fan!
WATER IN THE NEWS
Dam Removal Spurs the Return of Salmon—and a Local Tribe’s Hopes of Sustainable Fishing – Earth Institute at Columbia University
Arizona Congressional Delegation Introduces $5 Billion Tribal Water Rights Legislation – AP News
Quinault Nation Calls for Dam Removal on Skookumchuck River to Save Salmon – Earthjustice
Related Posts
