2993.E AMS MORT STUH 222

EHB 2993 - S AMD 886

    By Senator Morton

NOT ADOPTED 03/14/02

    On page 1, on line 7, after "Sec. 1." strike all material through "objectives." on line 22 and insert the following:

    "The legislature finds that the joint executive legislative water policy group was charged with the task of addressing four substantive water policy issues:  instream flows; water for growing communities; use it or lose it policies; and funding for water infrastructure.  The group has worked and continues to work on these issues.  However, the legislature finds that certain water law amendments are needed now to enhance the present water management system and are necessary even though the issues in this act are not included in the group's list of four substantive water policy issues.  It is the intent of the legislature to continue the work of the group to complete the tasks it was charged with by the governor.

    The legislature also recognizes the critical importance of providing and securing sufficient water to meet the needs of people, farms, and fish.  The legislature finds that an effective way to meet the water needs of people, farms, and fish is through strategies developed and implemented at the local watershed level.  The objectives of these strategies are to supply water in sufficient quantities to satisfy the following three water resource objectives:

    (1) Providing sufficient water for residential, commercial, and industrial needs;

    (2) Providing sufficient water for fish populations; and

    (3) Providing sufficient water for agriculture.

    The legislature affirms its intent to provide continued support for watershed strategies and provides the tools in this bill to assist local watersheds in meeting these objectives."

C END C

EFFECT: Clarifies the intent section, and recognizes that the work of the Joint Executive Legislative Water Policy Group needs to continue.