SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6779

BYSenators Barr, Madsen, Newhouse, Hansen, Benitz and Williams

Providing for regional water resource planning.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1990; February 1, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6779 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Gaspard, Hansen, Madsen, Newhouse.

Senate Staff:Ed Dee (786-7449)

                February 2, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1990; February 6, 1990

Majority Report:     That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6779 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Niemi, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Michael Groesch (786-7715)

                February 7, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 6, 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:

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 insure 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 regarding the information management plan and to conduct the inventory and needs assessment.

Planning Process.  The department must work with Indian tribes, local government, 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.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Water Resources Data Management Task Force must advise both the Legislature and the Department of Ecology regarding the development of the information management plan.  The chair of the task force is no longer specified.  Interested parties must be given the opportunity to participate.  The department's September 1, 1990 report to the Legislature must contain the preliminary findings and recommendations of the task force rather than the five-year plan for data collection and information management.  The five-year plan must be developed prior to implementation of any task force findings and must be approved by the Department of Information Services.  Implementation is made contingent on legislative funding.  Completion of the inventory needs assessment is no longer required by July 1, 1991.  Instead, commencing July 1, 1991 the department must submit annual reports to the Legislature on the development and implementation of the five-year plan and progress toward completion of the inventory and needs assessment.  A pilot region for water resource planning is no longer required in eastern Washington.  A timetable for completion of water resource plans in regions not selected as pilots is no longer required.  Nonpilot regions instead are strongly encouraged to begin water resource planning in their regions. 

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

The bill is contingent on funding in the supplemental budget.  The emergency clause is removed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   AGRICULTURE:  Jim Anderson, NWIFC; Ken Merry, WA Water Utilities Council (pro); Elizabeth Tabbutt, WA Environmental Council; Chris Gregoire, Director, Department of Ecology

Senate Committee - Testified:   WAYS & MEANS:  Senator Scott Barr (pro); Senator Ken Madsen (pro)