HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 2932

As Amended by the Senate

BYHouse Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives K. Wilson, Miller, Baugher, Smith, Doty, Valle, Hine and R. Fisher) 

Providing for regional water resource planning.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Belcher, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dellwo, Ferguson, Fuhrman, Hargrove, H. Myers, Raiter and Sayan.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on Natural Resources & Parks be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Belcher, Bowman, Braddock, Brekke, Dorn, Doty, Ebersole, Ferguson, Hine, Inslee, May, McLean, Nealey, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:      Nancy Stevenson (786-7130)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Ecology administers the state's water resource management laws.  Included among these is the Water Resources Act of 1971.  It requires quality of the natural environment of the state to be protected and, where possible, enhanced.  Water allocation shall be based on securing the maximum net benefits for the people of the state. The act also requires the department to develop and implement a comprehensive state water resources program and a process for making decisions on future allocation and use.  The department is further required to collect existing water resource information and develop additional data necessary for the comprehensive program.

The department has lacked the resources needed to implement a comprehensive water resources program.  Meanwhile, population growth and economic development have significantly increased the competition for limited water supplies.  This has heightened concerns for adequate water supplies to protect instream resources and values while meeting out-of-stream needs.

SUMMARY:

Findings/Intent:  Growth has created increasing demands on limited water resources.  Adequate water supplies are essential to meet the needs of a growing population and to protect instream resources and values.  Comprehensive planning involving the state, tribes, local government, and interested parties is essential.  Diverse conditions and needs across the state require regional water resource planning.  A water resource data program is needed to support the planning efforts.  The Legislature intends to work closely with all parties to ensure water resource planning and management in the public interest.

Data Management:  The Department of Ecology must develop a comprehensive water resource data program that includes an information management plan and a resource inventory and needs assessment.  The department must establish a task force to provide advice and recommendations regarding the information management plan and to conduct the inventory and needs assessment.

Planning Process:  The Department of Ecology must work with Indian tribes, local governments, and interested parties to develop a water resource planning process to be implemented on a regional basis.  The department must identify regions and designate two pilot regions in which the process will be initiated.  Annual reports to the Legislature are required to summarize progress in the pilot regions and provide a plan for implementation across the state.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  The amendments insert language stating that comprehensive water planning can help manage peak and flood flows.  It adds language directing the data management task force to report to the Joint Select Committee on Water Resource Policy.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Natural Resources & Parks) Representative Karla Wilson; Senator Scott Barr; Senator Ken Madsen; Chris Gregoire, Director, Department of Ecology; Jim Anderson, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission; Gary Kline, Regional Water Association of South King County; and Jim Miller, Washington Water Utilities Council.

Support with proposed amendments:  Stan Cecil, Washington Environmental Council.

(Appropriations) No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Natural Resources & Parks) No one.

(Appropriations) No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Natural Resources & Parks) This bill supports the efforts of the Executive Office and the tribal governments to work together in a process of regional water planning.  The planning will address water allocation needs assessment and involve all parties.

The breadth and general statements in it are intentional.  It is not intended to establish any new policies; simply to implement a process.  It contains no hidden agendas.

We need a good data management system, not a costly date acquisition system.

Western Washington faces water shortages in the future unless action starts now.  This bill represents a start; it should not hinder on-going planning or hold up projects.

(Appropriations) None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Natural Resources & Parks) The legislation should specify that the state's minimum flow laws and rules will not be affected.  Coordinated land use planning should be a prerequisite for adopting a regional water plan.  The bill should be cleaner about who will participate in the planning.

(Appropriations) None.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 98