The Olympic Water Users Association (OWUA) was founded in 2005 by a group of concerned water right holders, exempt well owners, and other interested residents of the Olympic Peninsula, who had observed as the Washington Department of Ecology attempted to put an instream flow rule into place in Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 17.  During one public meeting, a Department of Ecology official left the impression that these most-impacted stakeholders would not be able to participate in the WRIA process unless they were represented by an organization.  Left with this perception, a group of citizens held a meeting of their own, and OWUA was formed.

OWUA is actively involved in the new instream flow rule-making process, and is working to develop innovative, effective approaches to meeting the instream flow needs of the watershed.  We're balancing human and ecosystem needs, improving habitat for at-risk species of fish and other wildlife while assuring continued access to water resources for people.  It's not just sitting at the table while the instream flow rule is negotiated . . . we're working on locating science, discussing issues with researchers and salmon rehabilitation professionals, and learning from long-time residents or WRIA 17 and many other parts of the larger region.

Although OWUA was formed in reaction to a flawed rule-making process in WRIA 17, we are not limiting our activities to WRIA 17 issues.  There are 62 WRIAs in Washington, and we are using our experience and knowledge to reach out and help others meet the challenges of administrative limits placed on water resources.

If you are looking for information that is not currently included with our online resources (this web site and the WRIA 17 web log, linked from the top of this page), please feel free to send us a request through our "Contact Us" form.  We'll do what we can to help you locate the information you are seeking.