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Thurston County staff outline 'integrated water' framework after $177,000 Department of Commerce grant
Summary
County planners described a two-part grant project to audit internal water programs, convene partners and prepare a regional gap analysis; phase one runs through June 30 with outreach and a consultant to follow.
Thurston County staff told the Board of County Commissioners on June 11 that a Department of Commerce grant will fund a county project to better coordinate water-related programs and partner work across jurisdictions.
Derek Day, manager of community planning, said the county received $177,000 from the Department of Commerce in fall 2024 to develop what staff now call an "integrated water" framework. "Water is really complex. It operates on the landscape in a very integrated way," Day said, explaining that county programs for stormwater, wastewater, drinking water and habitat often overlap but are managed separately.
The project has two main components. Internally, staff will stand up an interdepartmental work group, compile program and process data and develop an audit tool to map how county programs interact and where they can better integrate. Externally, staff plan outreach with tribes, cities, watershed groups and Puget Sound recovery entities to collect partner input, build an engagement plan and produce a regional gap analysis in the fall.
Day said part of the grant funding comes through Puget Sound recovery channels and that some program dollars originate with the state Climate Commitment Act and the national estuary program. Staff also reported that stakeholder feedback prompted a name change from "One Water" to "integrated water." The county hopes the initial audit and partner work will position Thurston County to compete for additional state or federal funding in later phases.
Commissioners praised the work and asked about consultant selection and schedule. Staff said they are seeking consultants with a mix of facilitation, community engagement and technical water-resource skills and expect to use existing contracting teams where possible to move quickly; phase one deliverables are scheduled through June 30. Staff emphasized that the grant covered technical and staff hours for phase one and that a second-phase award would require a new application.
The board did not take any formal action on the project Wednesday; staff asked for the commission's continued support as they move to onboard a consultant, complete the audit and begin regional outreach.
