SB 5030-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS PASSED LEGISLATURE)

     Directs the department of ecology to determine whether there is sufficient water in a lake or reservoir with a surface area of twenty thousand acres or more west of the crest of the Cascade mountains to allow owners of single-family residences that abut the lake or reservoir to use water for noncommercial garden and landscape irrigation.

     Provides that, if the department determines that there may be sufficient water in the lake or reservoir to allow use of water for single-family residential noncommercial garden and landscape irrigation, it shall hold one or more public hearings in the area affected by the proposal.

     Provides that, if the department determines there is sufficient water it shall, by rule:  (1) Establish the maximum quantity of water that may be withdrawn from the lake or reservoir on a yearly basis for single-family noncommercial garden and landscape irrigation under this section;

     (2) establish conditions and limitations on withdrawal by individual property owners; and

     (3) establish screening requirements to protect fish life.

     Directs the department of ecology to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of allowing similar appropriations in other urban lakes and reservoirs and report its findings to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by June 1, 2000.

     Expires June 30, 2000.

VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5030-S

                   May 20, 1997

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval Substitute Senate Bill No. 5030 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the appropriation of water from lakes and reservoirs for single-family residential noncommercial garden and landscape irrigation;"

     Substitute Senate Bill No. 5030 would have directed the Department of Ecology to determine if water is available to provide shoreland owners around Lake Washington with a water right for residential noncommercial garden and landscape irrigation.  The Department of Ecology determined in 1979 that additional diversions of water from the Lake Washington drainage system would deplete instream flows and lake levels required to support appropriate uses.  There does not appear to be reasonable evidence that any additional water would be available today for these purposes, particularly in light of increased pressures associated with potential Endangered Species Act listings for salmon in the Puget Sound basin.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5030 in its entirety.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor