1994 Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan and 1996 Amendment

This 1994 Plan is the first in which no new programs were added. In fact, the program that called for establishing a Puget Sound Foundation has been eliminated due to the inability to secure funding from private or public sector sources. Other amendments incorporated into the 1994 Plan include making due dates in the Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows Program consistent with the state's Growth Management Act (GMA); coordinating other parts
of the Plan with the GMA; requiring the Department of Ecology to develop a policy on alternatives to discharging sewer wastes into marine waters; coordinating the Plan with the federal Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments; expanding the role of local governments in managing nonpoint pollution; and updating and refining a number of program elements.

The Puget Sound Water Quality Authority developed and adopted the 1994 Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan (Management Plan). In July 1996, the Authority ceased to exist under provisions of the state's Sunset Act. Under the Puget Sound Water Quality Protection Act RCW 90.71), passed by the 1996 Washington State Legislature, a l3-member Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team assumed many of the Authority's responsibilities, including implementation of the Management Plan. A nine-member Puget Sound Council, whose members are appointed by the governor and legislature, advises the Action Team.

The Act established the continuing role of the Management Plan "It is further the policy of the state to implement the Puget Sound water quality management plan to the maximum extent possible." (RCW 90.71.005). The Action Team and Council will develop and adopt future amendments to the Management Plan. Under the Act, proposed changes must be submitted to the legislature, as part of the biennial Puget Sound Water Qualilty Work Plans prepared by the Action Team and Council. The work plans describe what needs to be done each biennium to maintain and improve water quality in the Sound. Work plan priorities ar€ to be based on the Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan.

This printing of the Management Plan includes the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority's final amendments to the programs on estuary management, nonpoint source pollution and monitoring. However, it does not reflect the new roles of the Action Team, its chair and support staff or the Puget Sound Council. In addition, some of the background material and target dates in the Management Plan are outdated since they were last revised in 1994.