HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2271

As Passed House:

June 21, 2001

Title:  An act relating to appropriating moneys to the department of ecology for a ground water study in the Yakima basin.

Brief Description:  Appropriating moneys for a ground water study in the Yakima basin.

Sponsors:  By Representative Clements.

Brief History:

Second Special Session

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 6/21/01, 86-1.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Appropriates $1 million to the Department of Ecology for a groundwater study in the Yakima basin and makes certain disclaimers regarding legislative intent in appropriating the funds.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ECOLOGY

Majority/Minority Report: None.

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786‑7105).

Background:

In August 1999, the Department of Ecology (DOE), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the Yakama Nation signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the Yakima River basin to obtain additional information for making groundwater management decisions and to manage the groundwaters of the basin conservatively on an interim basis until additional information for making better water right decisions is available.  The MOA calls for: a study for developing an appropriate groundwater model; and an administrative removal of the groundwaters in the basin from further appropriation until the study is completed.

Summary of Bill:

The sum of $1 million is appropriated to the DOE for a groundwater study in the Yakima basin as follows: $350,000 for FY 2002 and $350,000 for FY 2003 from the General Fund; and $300,000 for the 2001 - 2003 biennium from the Water Quality Account.  In providing the funding, the Legislature is not acquiescing in any determination or hypothesis regarding the hydraulic continuity of the groundwaters in the basin with the surface water flows of the Yakima River or its tributaries or regarding state or federal jurisdiction over the groundwater resources in the basin.

Appropriation: The sum of $1 million as follows: $350,000 for FY 2002 and $350,000 for FY 2003 from the General Fund; and $300,000 for the 2001 - 2003 biennium from the Water Quality Account. 

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.