H-3789.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2874

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2002 Regular Session

By Representatives Schoesler and Grant

Read first time 01/31/2002.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.

Authorizing the department of ecology to enter into agreements to allocate Columbia basin project waters.

    AN ACT Relating to agreements for allocation of Columbia basin project water that exists in underground storage and is available as a result of irrigation in the Columbia basin project; and adding a new section to chapter 89.12 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 89.12 RCW to read as follows:

    The department of ecology may enter into agreements with the United States for the allocation of Columbia basin project waters that exist in underground storage either intentionally or incidentally to the irrigation of the Columbia basin project.  Such agreements shall be consistent with authorized project purposes, federal and state reclamation laws, and repayment contract obligations of the United States pertaining to the Columbia basin project.  Before implementation of any such agreement, the department, with the concurrence of the United States, shall adopt rules setting forth the procedures for implementing the agreement.  The department may accept funds to cover any administrative and staff expenses that it incurs in connection with entering or implementing any such agreement.

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