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1. Why is the Quinault Indian Nation undertaking the Lake Quinault Management Plan?

The Quinault Indian Nation is developing the plan to set long-term strategies to protect and restore the health of Lake Quinault for the benefit of the entire lake community. The Quinault Indian Nation wants everyone who visits and lives along Lake Quinault to respect the natural beauty of the lake and ensure the lake and its Blueback population stay healthy. The beauty, tranquility, and bounty of Lake Quinault draws visitors to the lake. The lake-dependent businesses and lodgings depend on a healthy Lake Quinault to succeed.

The planning process is designed to provide opportunities for the lake community to share their values and concerns and to provide feedback on the plan recommendations.

2. What kinds of recommendations will the Lake Quinault Management Plan have?

The plan will include recommended strategies to protect the lake from damaging activities in and around the lake. All recommendations will be based on best available science and will include examples of effective management actions being taken in other lakes in the region. For example, to prevent introduction of aquatic invasive species into the lake, the plan will likely recommend continuation of boat inspections and boat washing. 

3. How can the Lake Quinault Managment Plan impact activities above the Ordinary High Water Mark if the Quinault Indian Nation does not own the land?

The management and regulatory authority for areas around Lake Quinault above the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) is shared between the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Grays Harbor County, and the Quinault Indian Nation. The Quinault Indian Nation owns and manages the waters and bed of Lake Quinault up to the OHWM.

The plan will assess the impacts of uses and activities above and below the OHWM and will include recommended strategies to protect the lake from damaging activities above and below the OHWM.

4. What types of activities will the Lake Quinault Management Plan address?

The plan will assess the impacts of the following types of activities that can harm the lake and Blueback populations:

Land use activities below the OHWM:

• Shoreline bulkheads
• Docks
• Mooring buoys
• Dumping debris
• Water withdrawals
• Removal of large driftwood

Land use activities above the OHWM:

• Clearing of vegetation and removal of large driftwood
• Runoff of pollutants, like fertilizers
• Leaking onsite sewage systems

Visitor activities:

• Boating activities (motorized)
  • Release of gas and oil and other pollutants
  • Introducing non-native vegetation and non-native animals (like snails) that harm the natural ecological balance of the lake
  • Poaching
  • Disturbance of nearshore habitats important to Blueback

5. How will the Lake Quinault Management Plan affect fishing opportunities?

The plan will not be a regulatory document and so will not affect fishing opportunities. It may provide recommendations on how to protect and conserve native fish populations in the lake that the QIN may use in the future to revise fishing regulations.

6. What is the timeline for the Lake Quinault Management Plan?

In the Spring of 2025, we hope to bring a draft plan to the community for continued feedback and comments. Then, in the Summer or Fall 2025 we hope to have a finalized plan ready for publication.