VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1729-S

                   May 14, 1997

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 4, Substitute House Bill No. 1729 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the administration of irrigation districts;"

     Substitute House Bill No. 1729 makes several technical amendments and up-dates to the laws governing irrigation districts.  Section 4 of the bill, however would be a substantial change in state water policy.  That section would allow irrigation districts to add lands that are not contiguous with the district's boundaries.  Such a change could allow irrigation districts to pipe water to isolated parcels of land substantial distances from their primary locations, and could result in "water spreading" and unanticipated expansion of the districts' water rights.  Changes such as this should not be dealt with in a piecemeal fashion, but in context with the numerous other factors that must be considered in allocating the state's limited water supply.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed section 4 of Substitute House Bill No. 1729.

     With the exception of section 4, I am approving Substitute House Bill No. 1729.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor