BILL REQ. #: S-3639.1
| State of Washington | 62nd Legislature | 2012 Regular Session |
Read first time 01/12/12. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development.
AN ACT Relating to directing the department of ecology to coordinate discussions with the province of British Columbia to study the feasibility of providing new water supplies and storage to benefit residents of western Washington; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 (1) The department of ecology shall
coordinate with the water stewardship division of the ministry of
environment for the province of British Columbia, Canada, to study and
evaluate the feasibility of providing new water supplies and storage
from Harrison lake and Ross lake to benefit residents of western
Washington in the areas of water management, economic development,
fishery resource management, and agricultural production. The
department of ecology shall specifically examine, though not singularly
examine, the potential of using the existing upper Skagit water storage
system for additional storage of water imported from Canada. The
department of ecology is also encouraged to coordinate with federal
agencies including, but not limited to, the United States state
department, the United States department of the interior, and the
bureau of reclamation.
(2) By December 1, 2012, and within existing resources, the
department of ecology shall report its findings and recommendations to
the governor and the legislature consistent with RCW 43.01.036. The
report must include data and an analysis regarding the feasibility,
cost estimates, and any barriers to:
(a) Using the existing upper Skagit water storage system for
additional storage of water imported from Canada; and
(b) Acquiring water rights from Harrison lake for the benefit of
residents of western Washington in the areas of water management,
economic development, fishery resource management, and agricultural
production.
(3) This section expires January 1, 2013.