The watershed approach synchronizes water quality monitoring, inspections and permitting and supports water protection activities on a geographic basis. It is a coordinated and integrated method to link science, permits, and other water pollution control and prevention activities to meet state water quality standards. As a management tool, the watershed approach focuses resources by matrixing staff through time into a variety of tasks and areas of the state. Each step of the process addresses specific evaluation, planning, and implementation needs. A strong public involvement process insures that the state continues to support and validate local watershed efforts.
Ecology has four regional offices located throughout the state.
Other water quality technicians and research staff are also targeted to these 23 WQMA's across the state. Nonpoint source pollution controls along with technical and financial assistance programs are being integrated to complete the comprehensive system. Each year, approximately four or five WQMAs are scheduled into a cycle. Within each cycle, there are five steps with each step consuming one year. Identify and prioritize known and suspected water quality issues within the WQMA by assembling input from extensive community involvement and internal Ecology staff.