ANALYSIS OF HB 2877

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee       February 2, 1998

BACKGROUND:

The Ahtanum Reservoir Project is an off-stream water storage proposal of the Ahtanum Irrigation District.  The proposal involves the construction of an off-stream impoundment in Pine Hollow at a site located approximately 15 miles west-southwest of the City of Yakima.  Up to 24,500 acre-feet of water from Ahtanum Creek is proposed for storage in the resulting reservoir for release beginning in mid-July of each year.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology (DOE) must conduct a pre-construction analysis of Pine Hollow regarding its suitability as a site for the construction of a retainment dam and water storage reservoir.  The analysis is to include an analysis of the geology and hydrology of the site and appropriate dam design and dynamics.  The DOE may conduct portions of its analysis through contracts with private entities and through contracts with or grants made to other public entities, including other state agencies, irrigation districts local to the area, cities, Yakima County, the Yakama Indian Nation, and federal agencies.

Appropriation: $300,000 or as much thereof as necessary is appropriated from the General Fund to the DOE for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, for the pre-construction analysis.