BILL REQ. #:  S-3639.1 



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SENATE BILL 6163
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State of Washington62nd Legislature2012 Regular Session

By Senators Ericksen, Swecker, Hatfield, and Chase

Read first time 01/12/12.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development.



     AN ACT Relating to directing the department of ecology to coordinate discussions with the province of British Columbia to study the feasibility of providing new water supplies and storage to benefit residents of western Washington; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The department of ecology shall coordinate with the water stewardship division of the ministry of environment for the province of British Columbia, Canada, to study and evaluate the feasibility of providing new water supplies and storage from Harrison lake and Ross lake to benefit residents of western Washington in the areas of water management, economic development, fishery resource management, and agricultural production. The department of ecology shall specifically examine, though not singularly examine, the potential of using the existing upper Skagit water storage system for additional storage of water imported from Canada. The department of ecology is also encouraged to coordinate with federal agencies including, but not limited to, the United States state department, the United States department of the interior, and the bureau of reclamation.
     (2) By December 1, 2012, and within existing resources, the department of ecology shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature consistent with RCW 43.01.036. The report must include data and an analysis regarding the feasibility, cost estimates, and any barriers to:
     (a) Using the existing upper Skagit water storage system for additional storage of water imported from Canada; and
     (b) Acquiring water rights from Harrison lake for the benefit of residents of western Washington in the areas of water management, economic development, fishery resource management, and agricultural production.
     (3) This section expires January 1, 2013.

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