FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6217

                                  C 137 L 88

BYSenate Committee on Agriculture (originally sponsored by Senator Benitz)

Requiring the department of ecology to sell its interest in the Prosser well at the Washington State University research center.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

During the drought of 1977, an $18 million drought relief measure was passed by the Legislature.  With funds from this measure, the Department of Ecology joined with the Washington State University research center at Prosser to drill a well to provide emergency irrigation water.  The research center has a 26 percent interest in the well with options for more water if conditions warrant it.  The department has the remaining ownership of the well and sells water to help recover the capital and operating costs.  The original cost of the well was $241,528, with the remaining amount owed estimated to be $167,151.

The well is capable of irrigating 520 acres, but because it is used for emergency purposes only and is very costly to start up and operate, the well has not been very active.  The department does not use its 74 percent share of the well, and the research center cannot afford to start the well for its own use, so both the department and the research center rely on farmers in the area to purchase water to help defray the costs associated with operating the well.

The department, the research center and the farmers in the affected area have met and are not opposed to the sale of the department's interest in the well.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology shall sell its interest in the Prosser well located at the Washington State University research center.  The well shall be sold for fair market value with proceeds deposited in the state Emergency Water Project Revolving Account.  The department shall, to the extent possible, expedite the sale of the well to accommodate the needs of all concerned parties for the 1988 irrigation season.  As a prerequisite to sale, the parties who agree to purchase the Prosser Well shall agree to be bound by any existing agreements between the department and the research center at Prosser regarding the operation and maintenance of the Prosser Well.  The parties agree that the sale of the department's interest in the Prosser Well will require compliance with RCW 90.44.

The proceeds of the sale of the department's interest in the well at Prosser, but not more than $150,000, is appropriated to alleviate drought conditions.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    46     0

      House 95   0 (House amended)

      Senate    44     0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:March 18, 1988