SENATE BILL REPORT

                  EHCR 4407

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Agriculture & Environment, April 22, 1997

Brief Description:  Creating a joint select committee on Yakima Valley water storage.

Sponsors:  Representatives Clements, Chandler and Honeyford.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Environment:  4/22/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Morton, Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; McAuliffe, Newhouse, Oke and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background:  Under the Yakima Basin Water Enhancement Project planning study conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Ecology, several means of providing additional stream flows and water supplies for the Yakima basin have been explored.  In 1986, a plan formulation study prepared by the staff of the two agencies recommended four alternative plans for more detailed analysis.  Each contained a core measure and a storage component; three contained non-storage measures.  The storage recommended for further consideration in three of these alternatives called for an enlargement of Bumping Lake=s storage capacity from an additional 250,000-acre feet to an additional 458,000-acre feet.  One alternative called for an 142,000-acre foot Wymer Reservoir.

Summary of Bill:  A Joint Select Committee on Yakima Valley Water Storage is established to examine means of increasing existing water storage in Bumping Lake and creating new water storage in Pine Hollow and other areas of Yakima County.  The committee consists of eight members: four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and four members appointed by the President of the Senate.  Two of the members from each chamber are from the majority party caucus and two from each chamber are from the minority party caucus.  The members of the joint select committee select co-chairs, one from the House of Representatives and one from the Senate.  The joint select committee must report its recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 1997.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  There is a need to enhance the water supply supply for the Yakima River watershed to enhance water supplies for fisheries, tribal needs, agricultural and other purposes.  Pine Hollow is a potential site for catching water during high flow periods for release during low flow levels.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Clements, prime sponsor (pro); Mike Schwisow, Washington State Water Resources Association (pro).