SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1993

BYHouse Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Rayburn and Lewis)

Providing for drought relief.

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1988; February 26, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Hansen, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Tom McDonald (786-7404)

                  February 26, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FEBRUARY 26, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The winter snow pack in the mountains and water storage in the reservoirs are relied upon to supply the high demand for water over the summer months.  In 1986 the snow water content and water carryover in reservoirs in eastern Washington were far below normal.  In 1987 the continued drought caused severe water shortages in both eastern and western Washington.  The most recent statistics show that the current carryover and the recent precipitation are far below normal.  If the amount of rainfall and snow pack does not increase dramatically in the near future there will be extensive restrictions on water use this summer, especially affecting irrigated agriculture.

In anticipation of a water-short year in 1977, the Legislature passed a temporary emergency water withdrawal and facilities bill.  This bill gave the Department of Ecology authority to take extraordinary action to withdraw and distribute water in the most economical and fair manner for any beneficial use and to improve or replace water supply facilities to benefit irrigated lands.  The 1977 legislation was funded by authorizing the sale of $18 million in general obligation bonds.  The proceeds from these bonds were placed in an emergency water projects account for the department's use.  The department was authorized to grant and loan money to public entities for water projects.  The grant portion of any single project could not exceed 15 percent of a total project cost.

In 1987 the Legislature passed a similar version of the 1977 legislation to alleviate drought conditions in 1987.  Up to $4 million from the emergency water projects account was appropriated for grants and loans to again fund the construction of facilities to alleviate the drought conditions on irrigated lands.  Water rights were allowed to be temporarily transferred to respond to the emergency conditions.

SUMMARY:

To alleviate drought conditions, the department is given emergency powers to authorize and fund the construction and improvement of agriculture water supply facilities to provide water for previously irrigated crops.

The department may make loans, grants, or a combination of loans and grants to alleviate the emergency supply conditions.  Grants may not exceed 20 percent for any single project.  If an activity is forecasted to have 50 percent or less of normal seasonal water supplies, the grant portion for a project may not exceed 40 percent of the total cost.  No single entity may receive more than 10 percent of the total funds available for drought relief.

The department is authorized to employ two staff positions until April 30, 1989 for the purpose of administering the drought relief program and developing a statewide drought contingency plan for evaluating and responding to the need for emergency agricultural water supply facilities.

The emergency powers granted the department are to continue through April 1989.

Appropriation:    $170,000 from the emergency water projects revolving account is appropriated for the development of a statewide contingency plan and administering drought relief activities concerning emergency agricultural water supply facilities.  Remaining funds in the account are appropriated for agricultural water supply facilities and other measures to alleviate emergency drought conditions.

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: Jim Trull, Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District; Hedia Adelsman, Department of Ecology; Curt Smith, office of the Governor