FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 978

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 517 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Rayburn, Baugher, Bristow, Doty and Lewis)

Revising provisions relating to the Yakima river basin enhancement project.

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

Senate Committee on Agriculture

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The state and federal governments have been conducting the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project, a study of water issues in the basin.  The primary objectives developed under the study are: providing supplemental water for presently irrigated lands; providing water for new irrigation development on the Yakima Indian Reservation and for increasing instream flows for anadromous fish; and developing a comprehensive water management plan for the basin.

State law directs the Department of Ecology to work with members of the congressional delegation to identify and advance, for federal authorization, elements of the Yakima enhancement project for early implementation.  These elements must have general public support and acceptable cost-sharing arrangements, meet study objectives and otherwise have potential for early implementation.

SUMMARY:

Congress is requested to authorize the construction of a pipeline between Keechelus Lake and Kachess Lake as one of the early implementation elements of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project to supply water for the operation of the fish passage facilities at Easton Dam.  The Department of Ecology must work to assure that this element is included in federal legislation.

While the Yakima enhancement project is being developed and implemented, the policy of the state will be to require that any new water project or modification of a water project, including fish passage or protective facilities, that creates a new demand for surface water from the Yakima river system include as a part of the project a supply of water to meet the demand created. Water supplied by proposals to raise the reservoir elevation of Cle Elum Lake by three feet will not be considered such a supply of water.  Any permit or other authorization of a state agency required for the project must include this requirement as one of its conditions.

These requirements do not limit persons or entities from entering into an interim operating agreement for the construction of a water project pending the completion of facilities which create the water required for the operation of the project.  Neither these requirements nor the interim operating agreements may interfere with or impact the availability of water needed to fulfill existing water rights and various aspects of those rights recognized under state water law.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 91   1

      Senate    47     0 (Senate amended)

      House 94   4 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987

Partial Veto Summary:  Provisions of the bill are vetoed which would have (1) required any new water project or modification of a water project that creates a new demand for surface water from the Yakima river system include, as a part of the project, a supply of water to meet the demand created; (2) prohibited water supplied from proposals to raise the reservoir elevation of Cle Elum Lake by three feet from being used as the water required for such a project; (3) permitted certain interim operating agreements for the construction of such a project; and (4) prohibited interference with the availability of water for existing water rights.  (See VETO MESSAGE)