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YBSA Press release 4/10/09
Latest decisions, by Fed and State are positive steps to delivering a solution for water in the Yakima Basin.
Last week the USBOR stated they would not issue their pending Record of Decision, just as YBSA and Yakima and Benton Counties asked them to do. This last step in their just completed Storage study could have concluded our search for a solution with “No Action”. That is clearly unacceptable. The Washington State DOE is expected to issue their final report as their part in the EIS process, in May. These steps conclude the process but do not give us the solution. Both processes have key elements that must be integrated into a comprehensive plan that includes conservation, fish passage, habitat restoration and water storage to make it all work together. Last week we were pleased to learn both State and Federal leaders have allocated money to put the parts together. We have asked for this necessary step and are pleased to see it funded.
This next step, working together for the benefit of all, will be difficult. Representative Hastings, Senators Cantwell and Murray have told us: without agreement among the stakeholders, no project can proceed. We are pleased to see our Counties, YN leadership, Irrigation districts, Basin Biologists, Federal and State governments rise to the occasion. All options must be measured with the same measuring stick, and public hearings held to assure plenty of public education and input. To succeed, this process must be open and include the key stakeholders and conclude with legislation within 12 months, we have no time to spare.
YBSA remains committed to solving the problem for all interests in the basin, We also wish to thank Governor Gregoire and our State Legislators who remain staunch supporters of storage. Accordingly YBSA has revised its position so that we can all work together to fashion the best solution for the Basin. That means we will support the least cost alternative that meets the 3 criteria that congress set out in 2003; enough water for fish, irrigation, and our growing communities. We know that a plan without adequate storage is no solution, and jeopardizes the other interests.
We are most grateful to our supporters who have endured this long and difficult journey because they and we know there is no more important and difficult issue which will determine our future for the next 100 years.
For New Information About Black Rock go to Current Issues Link
 SUPPORT THE RESTORATION OF THE YAKIMA RIVER BASIN
On behalf of the Yakima Basin Storage Alliance and its board of directors we are informing you of our draft legislation titled, Yakima Basin Environmental and Salmon Restoration Act. This draft bill provides for a comprehensive habitat restoration program in the floodplains of the Yakima and Naches Rivers and to re-establish ecosystem functions and fish passage at existing dams.
The Black Rock Water Exchange Project is for the purpose of
(1) improving the Yakima Project water supply for the benefit of
(A) the anadromous fishery of the Yakima and Columbia River basins
by means of stream flow enhancement in the mainstem Yakima and
Naches Rivers of the Yakima basin,
(B) improving the reliability of the Yakima Project irrigation water supply
for junior water rights in dry years when water deficiencies occur, and
(C) providing a surface water supply from the Yakima Project to meet
future municipal water needs; and
(2) providing future recreation and hydropower generation opportunities.
We have enlisted the expertise of Dr. Jack Stanford to help determine the productivity potential of the Yakima River Basin. Dr. Stanford has stated there are no better sites in the lower 48 states for salmon restoration than then Yakima River. He maintains, if done correctly, with the exchange of Columbia River water, the Yakima River could support one million salmon. At YBSA we have worked tirelessly to bring more normative flow to the Yakima River. Our proposals could mean as much as 800,000 a/f more water left in the Yakima River and a reduction of excessive flows in reaches during irrigation season.
The Bureau of Reclamation study of Black Rock has concentrated on the feasibility of creating the reservoir and its operation. This draft legislation spells out and proposes the financing of the restoration of the environment of the Yakima Basin for fish production, helping meet Treaty Rights of the Yakama Nation by naturalizing river flows and mending habitat compromised over the past century.
Our past history of studying our water supply problems must come to a conclusion with construction of new water storage infrastructure. This draft proposal is offered to stop us of walking on the edges of disaster any longer but instead mutually provide a solution to the Yakima River Basin water shortage problem. We know that if at the conclusion of the BOR Storage Study we as a community do not agree on a solution, no significant action will occur. We will continue to fight the same battles as the past.
Both the Executive Summary and Draft Legislation are posted on our website www.ybsa.org. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please submit them to YBSA on yakimabasinstoragealliance@yahoo.com.
Sincerely yours,
Sid Morrison
Chairman Yakima Basin Storage Alliance
The links below pertain to the Environmental and Salmon Recovery Proposal
Executive Summary Draft Legislation Funding Proposal
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