Design Philosophy 

The Walla Walla Watershed Alliance reflects the community's "can-do" attitude. It couples a pro-active approach to problem solving with a willingness to innovate. The Alliance recognizes that one path to success is the application of scientific methods and state-of-the-art technology. In a surprising number of settings, such approaches are most likely to yield win/win solutions. For example, in an effort that parallels the ongoing Army Corps/Umatilla Tribes feasibility study, the Alliance is investigating the efficacy of deep well and shallow aquifer storage of spring run-off. These sub-surface reserves will not only recharge groundwater levels, but the cool waters can also later be pumped to supplement summer flows in stressed perennial streams. The Alliance is approaching water right transactions with similar initiative. Here the challenge is to craft legal instruments that enable landowners to deliver waters to habitat restoration without surrendering their core water rights. Whether the willing water user is large or small, the Alliance is focused on seeing to it that good deeds can be done without incurring excessive cost to private or public participants. The ability to monitor and evaluate restoration efforts is another of the Alliance's objectives. For example, the Alliance and its collaborators are adapting the Ecosystem Management Decision Support (EMDS) system, developed and extensively tested by the US Forest Service for use in the Watershed. EMDS employs field monitors and advanced computer software to collectively describe ecosystem properties and human activities/values in select terrain. The Alliance has initiated a demonstration project to reduce the amount of water used for urban landscape irrigation. A joint project of the City of Walla Walla and Nelson Irrigation, the pilot project will install commercially available highly-efficient sprinkler heads in 12 different representative urban irrigation settings: commercial/industrial, residential, and parklands. The Alliance will evaluate the water-saving impacts of the patented low-flow sprinkler heads. The Alliance's design philosophy is simple: seize the initiative, and think outside the box.

Program Descriptions 

The Walla Walla Watershed Alliance is facilitating and implementing water management innovations to restore, protect and advance the Watershed's unique community. Facilitate cooperative conservation in the basin: through sponsoring inclusive, open, meaningful conversation at many levels on resource management. Expressing and amplifying a united in-basin voice to state, regional, and federal government. Fostering dialogue and cooperation across state, county, and tribal borders. Multi-year conservation planning and design: by developing market-based stewardship transactions, law and policy compliance support, and attracting funding for performance driven projects. Supporting mandated watershed planning efforts by directly engaging landowners. Groundwater management feasibility and projects: in collaboration with irrigators, tribal government and municipalities, researching groundwater and surface water interactions, and designing, funding, and implementing recharge and conjunctive use projects. Monitoring and Evaluation: using a systems approach to provide accountability and adaptability in gauging effects, and designing options. Integrating the triple bottom line: ecology, economy, and culture. Coordinating with other ecological monitoring tools in basin strategic plans. Forming strategic partnerships: with self-sustaining formal and informal alliances and "working groups". These include Funding, Implementation, Technical, and Community Development Working Groups. As the basin enters the "Post Adopted-Plan Era" maintaining the vision and confidence that voluntary, innovative design and management practices will result in legal compliance, regulatory assurances, and a flourishing watershed.