SUSTAINABLE INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT IN THE TUALATIN BASIN

Clean Water Services (CWS) is a water resource management utility that provides wastewater, stormwater and water resource services to over 500,000 citizens in Washington County, Oregon. In 2004, CWS was issued Oregon's first Integrated Watershed-based Stormwater and Wastewater NPDES Permit that allows for the trading of temperature credits within the Tualatin River Basin. Since the issuance of this permit, CWS has developed a comprehensive urban and agricultural riparian vegetation program that is able to plant over 400, 000 trees and scrubs annually in the basin. This paper will focus on the methods utilized to develop this program and the unique management and cultural issues that influence the success of this program. In addition, this paper will describe the challenges and the benefits of implementing sustainable, integrated watershed management strategies that address multiple water resource needs.