WAC 400-12-535   Phase 3 -- Action plan implementation strategy.  The watershed management committee shall prepare a strategy for implementing the action plan, including the following:

     (1) A description of the specific actions required of each implementing agency and local government, including federal compliance requirements pursuant to Section 313 of the Federal Clean Water Act, and a means of coordinating these actions within and among control strategies. Where possible, the implementation strategy shall include, but is not limited to, specifically worded statements, such as model ordinances, recommended government policy statements, interagency agreements, proposed legislative changes, and proposed amendments to local comprehensive plans;

     (2) A schedule that includes annual milestones for implementing nonpoint pollution control strategies and a specified time frame for achieving action plan objectives;

     (3) Estimated implementation costs and budget, including a financing element that identifies existing and potential local, state, and federal funding sources to fully implement the action plan. Optional federal funding sources include: Sections 319, 104 (b)(3) and 205(j) of the Clean Water Act, funds from the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implementing the federal forest plan, Clean Vessel Act grants, Army Corps of Engineers environmental restoration project funds, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency environmental education grants, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Economic and Community Development Water and Waste Disposal and Low Income Repair loans and grants, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service funds, and Coastal Zone Management 306 grants, among others. Optional state funding sources include: The state revolving loan program the Centennial Clean Water Fund, the Jobs for the Environment program, department of transportation watershed mitigation investment funds, department of ecology public participation grants, the Washington state conservation commission nonpoint water quality implementation grants and habitat restoration fisher assistance program, the department of natural resources aquatic lands enhancement account, the interagency committee for outdoor recreation Washington wildlife and recreation fund, the department of community, trade, and economic development community development block grants, the public works trust fund, and others. The financing element shall include local long-term funding sources that are capable of generating revenues needed to sustain nonpoint pollution control programs, such as: Sewer and water utility districts, shellfish protection districts, conservation assessments, aquifer protection districts, lake management districts, flood control zone districts, drainage districts, on-site septic maintenance districts, conservation futures programs, and bonds, as well as current expense accounts. Additionally, the action team will maintain an updated list of funding sources and contacts which can be obtained by the public;

     (4) Identification of a lead agency which must be willing and able to assume a leadership role in coordinating the implementation of the action plan and the public involvement process;

     (5) A dispute resolution process to resolve disputes between the lead implementing agency and other implementing entities;

     (6) A process and strategy for coordination and integration with ongoing planning and management programs within the watershed which impact water quality, including local, state, federal, and tribal plans and programs. Such plans and programs shall include comprehensive land use plans under the Growth Management Act, storm water and highway runoff plans, drainage basin plans, ground water management programs, flood control plans, wetlands management and protection programs, Coastal Zone Management Act Section 6217 coastal nonpoint pollution control programs, the Shoreline Master Program (chapter 173-19 WAC), shellfish and fisheries management programs, and others as appropriate;

     (7) Provisions for public involvement in the preparation and adoption of implementation plans, policies, and/or ordinances. Such public involvement may include the designation of a watershed management council or similar body to advise and assist the lead implementing agency with overseeing implementation of the action plan; and

     (8) A method of evaluating the overall effectiveness of the action plan in preventing and correcting ground and surface water quality impacts from nonpoint pollution and protecting beneficial uses, including:

     (a) A long-term monitoring program. The long-term monitoring program shall provide information on trends related to water quality, habitat, biological conditions, and land use to determine whether the nonpoint pollution control strategies in the approved action plan are effective; and

     (b) A process for annual review. The lead implementing agency shall annually evaluate the effectiveness of the action plan and report the results of the evaluation to the department and affected parties. Every other year, this report shall include the results from the long-term monitoring program, as applicable, and shall coincide with the departmental biennial audit.



[Statutory Authority: 1996 c 138. 96-23-057, § 400-12-535, filed 11/19/96, effective 12/20/96. Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.70 RCW. 91-22-096, § 400-12-535, filed 11/6/91, effective 12/7/91.]