BILL REQ. #:  S-3120.1 

     TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, AND THE COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

     WHEREAS, The federally owned or licensed dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers in this state provide vital economic, energy, navigation, and flood control benefits to the people of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, A cool, wet spring, and the largest snowpack since 1997 have led to a very high spring runoff; and
     WHEREAS, The federal government has increased river flows through the Columbia and Snake river dams in order to maintain space in upstream reservoirs to capture further runoff; and
     WHEREAS, The increased releases due to the rising runoff have elevated dissolved gas levels in river waters, reaching levels in excess of 135 percent and current state water quality standards; and
     WHEREAS, High levels of total dissolved gas injure and kill fish by causing gas bubble disease, which impacts wild, hatchery, and private commercially raised fish in affected waters;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the federal government consider, develop, and implement appropriate alternatives that provide the necessary reservoir capacity to capture expected runoff while also avoiding, minimizing, and, if necessary, mitigating for impacts to the state's fish resources and private commercial fish growing operations.

     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Commanding General of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.