Natural Resources

Planning General Information

The Chelan County Natural Resource Department (CCNRD) works with the County Community Development Department on land use planning issues that relate to natural resources management.  CCNRD also works with regional partners to develop and implement watershed management plans and salmon recovery plans.

The 1998 state legislature passed Ch. 90.82 RCW, to set a framework for locally-based watershed planning in each of the 62 Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs) in the State.  The intent of this legislation is to have local stakeholders address water related issues in their own watershed through a “Planning Unit”.  The Planning Unit is comprised of those entities most familiar with instream and out-of-stream demands on the water resource and those who have the greatest stake in the proper, long-term management of the resources.  Planning Units are comprised of local citizens, businesses, public agencies, Tribes and local organizations.

The Washington State Department of Ecology administers grant funding and provides guidance to the Planning Units through the development and implementation of watershed management plans.  These plans must address water quantity issues.  In addition, the plans may also address water quality, instream flow and salmon habitat.  There are four watersheds (WRIAs) within Chelan County and each area is in different stages of the watershed planning process.  Chelan County is the designated Lead Agency for administering and coordinating the watershed planning processes for the Stemilt/Squilchuck (WRIA 40a), Wenatchee (WRIA 45) and Chelan (WRIA 47) Watersheds.  Cascadia Conservation District is the designated Lead Agency for the Entiat (WRIA 46) Watershed.  For the Wenatchee and Entiat Watersheds, development and implementation of the watershed plans are closely coordinated with Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Planning.

 

Posted: 02/11/2015 10:20 AM
Last Updated: 10/27/2016 01:36 PM

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Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 26
    Oct 2023
    12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

    Board of Law Library Trustees Meeting

    Posted by: Chelan County Law Library

    Board of Law Library Trustees Meeting on October 26, 2023, at Noon, at the Superior Court, Hearing Room

    Superior Court, Hearing Room
  • 25
    Oct 2023
    06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

    Planning Commission - October 25, 2023

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 20
    Oct 2023
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

    Ballots will be mailed to voters

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    Ballots will be mailed to voters

  • 20
    Oct 2023
    09:00 AM - 08:00 PM

    Voting Center is open for 18 days in Election's Office

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    Voting Center is open for 18 days in Election's Office

  • 18
    Oct 2023
    01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - October 18, 2023

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference