In the spring of 2005, the Western Washington Agricultural Association (WWAA) began a new planning process to address the complex and intertwined set of fish and water issues facing agricultural landowners in the lower Skagit and Samish delta areas. The planning area covers about 70,000 acres of farmlands and includes the 11 drainage and irrigation districts serving this area. This planning process is known as the Comprehensive Irrigation District Management Plan (CIDMP). It provides our agricultural community an opportunity to lead a collaborative farmland and resource stewardship planning process with the state and federal agencies and other interested parties. The objective is to come up with creative solutions to address these difficult issues and meet environmental requirements while protecting the viability of the agricultural landscape.
Fish and habitat concerns (ESA), water quality protection (CWA) and agricultural irrigation water use (Water Rights) are the priority concerns the landowners and districts are addressing within the CIDMP. The goals they have identified for the plan are to:
· Protect and promote recovery of ESA listed species
· Protect water quality
· Protect stream flows
· Maintain agricultural drainage infrastructure
· Ensure adequate water for agricultural irrigation
The effort is moving ahead. HDR Consulting, Inc. was selected to draft the plan, the Technical Advisory Team has been formed, and the agencies and other partners are meeting monthly to guide and coordinate the plan development. The current work is focusing on collecting known information, existing technical reports, documents and scientific studies addressing fish and habitat issues and water quality. This effort is also focusing on water resources information, irrigation water use and water rights records. A description of the district operations and facilities, and maintenance and repair activities is also being developed.
We are assessing this data and information and are starting to shape conclusions about fish and resource impacts and agricultural activities. The plan document will identify measures necessary meet the needs for endangered species, water quality and water resources. It will include a comprehensive set of performance-based actions to achieve specific improvements to watershed health, including adaptive management and monitoring provisions.
The Skagit CIDMP final plan is expected in March 2006 and we will then be able to initiate development of implementing agreements with the regulatory agencies, which may take another six to twelve months.