HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SSB 6779

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Barr, Madsen, Newhouse, Hansen, Benitz and Williams)

Providing for regional water resource planning.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Belcher, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dellwo, Ferguson, Fuhrman, Hargrove, H. Myers, Raiter and Sayan.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Natural Resources & Parks.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Appelwick, Belcher, Bowman, Brekke, Brough, Dorn, Doty, Ferguson, Hine, Inslee, May, McLean, Nealey, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:      Ed Dee (786-7449)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS FEBRUARY 24, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Ecology administers the state's water resource management laws.  Included among these is the Water Resources Act of 1971 (Chapter 90.54 RCW).  It requires waters of the state to be protected and fully utilized for the greatest benefit to the public.  The act also requires the department to develop and implement a comprehensive state water resources program and a process for making decisions on future allocation and use.  The department is further required to collect existing water resource information and develop additional data necessary for the comprehensive program.

The department has lacked the resources needed to implement a comprehensive water resources program.  Meanwhile, population growth and economic development have significantly increased the competition for limited water supplies.  This has heightened concerns for adequate water supplies to protect instream resources and values while meeting out-of-stream needs.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:

Findings/Intent:  Growth has created increasing demands on limited water resources.  Adequate water supplies are essential to meet the needs of a growing population and to protect instream resources and values.  Comprehensive planning involving the state, tribes, local government, and interested parties is essential.  Diverse conditions and needs across the state require regional water resource planning.  A water resource data program is needed to support the planning efforts.  The Legislature intends to work closely with all parties to ensure water resource planning and management in the public interest.

Data Management:  The department must develop a comprehensive water resource data program that includes an information management plan and a resource inventory and needs assessment.  The department must establish a task force to provide advice and recommendations to the Legislature and the Department of Ecology regarding the information management plan and to conduct the inventory and needs assessment.

Planning Process:  The department must work with Indian tribes, local governments, and interested parties to develop a water resource planning process to be implemented on a regional basis.  The department must identify regions and designate two pilot regions in which the process will be initiated.  Annual reports to the Legislature are required to summarize progress in the pilot regions and provide a plan for implementation across the state.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO SECOND SUBSTITUTE:  References to the Joint Select Committee on Water Resource Policy and the role of planning in improved management of peak and flood flows are deleted.

CHANGES PROPOSED BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS:  None.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Natural Resources & Parks)  Senator Barr; Tim Mortemer, PUD Association; and Tiffany Yelton, Washington Environmental Council.

(Appropriations)  No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Natural Resources & Parks)  No one.

(Appropriations)  No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Natural Resources & Parks)  Washington's increase in water use places pressure on the state to have a comprehensive approach to allocating water.  For effective planning, Washington needs adequate information to use in making decisions and a structure in which decisions can be made.  This bill provides both.

The Joint Select Committee on Water Resource Policy should extend its expiration date to continue its involvement in the water allocation issue.

The committee received testimony that it should either retain or eliminate language dealing with peak water flows.

(Appropriations)  None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Natural Resources & Parks)  None.

(Appropriations)  None.