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Testimony of the NWIFC February 18, 1993 



on Fish & Wildlife Management Page 9 



The Washington State Legislature created PSWQA in 1985, and charged it with 

 developing a comprehensive plan for water quality protection in Puget Sound, to be 

 implemented by state and local governments. The tribal seat, filled by NWIFC 

 Commissioner Terry Williams, was established by the state in recognition of the 

 important role of the tribes. The tribes have, as a result, been involved in every facet 

 of Puget Sound water quality management efforts, ranging from the nomination of 

 watersheds for inclusion in an early action program to address nonpoint source 

 pollution problems to conducting shellfish programs to protect and enhance that 

 resource. 



Model Water Quality Program Initiative 



The western Washington tribes have also linked up with state and local 

 governments in efforts to manage off-reservation water quality problems. Financial 

 support for tribal participation in this program has been made available to the tribes 

 from several sources, including the Department of Ecology's Centennial Clean 

 Water Program, and the Environmental Protection Agency. During the early years, 

 the tribal focus has been directed at restoring and maintaining riparian and marine 

 habitats that support finfish, shellfish and cultural resources. In addition, as 

 sovereigns, the tribes are involved in planning efforts that affect their jurisdiction. As 

 a result, each tribe also conducts on-reservation nonpoint source pollution and other 

 water quality programs. 



Comprehensive water quality programs are also being conducted by the tribes in 

 conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Specifically, the 

 program will address specific water quality problems, propose changes in policy, 

 regulations and laws, and seek control of nonpoint and point pollution. Some of the 

 problems of particular concern cited by the tribes include sedimentation and water 

 temperature increases due to poorly regulated logging; bacterial and chemical 

 pollution from agriculture, as well as urban runoff and sewage; and increased 

 pollution of all sorts caused by voids in regulations or by non-enforcement of 

 existing regulations and laws. 



RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS 



Our experiences in the Pacific Northwest demonstrate a high level of achievement 

 and capability. Our management efforts stem from adherence to certain underlying 

 principles and philosophies. The success of our approach has often been affected 

 both positively and negatively by critical limiting factors. As such, we believe that it 

 is necessary for you understand some of our lessons and findings. 



