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Water Quality (Wastewater and Stormwater, as well as Toxic, Nutrient, and Pathogen Inputs) Topic Forum

The water quality topic forum is guided by a series of science and policy questions (below). The Partnership will also host a public workshop on April 25 (see meeting details below).

Water Quality Topic Forum

 April 25 - Seattle

Lead:

Joan Lee - Parametrix, Erin Nelson (assisting) - Parametrix

Core Team Members:

Stormwater Committee: Derek Booth, Charlie Wisdom, Bill Moore, Bill Derry
Nutrients and Pathogens: Anne Fairbrother, Randy Shuman, Pam Bissonnette, John Ferguson

Science Questions Framing Topic Forum Discussions

Status of water quality in Puget Sound

  • Summarizing/synthesizing key findings from previous efforts, and updating as appropriate, what is the current documented knowledge about threats to water quality in Puget Sound?
  • How does the current status compare to a ‘healthy’ or reference condition for water quality in the Puget Sound region?

Management approaches addressing water quality

  • From an empirical perspective, what do we know about the effectiveness and certainty of management approaches aimed at addressing threats to water quality?

Policy Questions Framing Topic Forum Discussions

Policy approaches to address water quality: What is currently being done?

  • What are the policy approaches that are being used to address water quality in the Puget Sound region?

Needs assessment and actions: What are the gaps?

  • Using the results from the three previous science and policy discussions, what needs to be done to address the documented threats to water quality practices in the Puget Sound region?
  • What criteria should be considered for prioritizing actions for to address threats to water quality?
  • What scientific and/or policy-based target “endpoints” could be considered for this topic? (e.g., “how much”).
  • How will we know we are making progress on water quality?