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How the Columbia River Water
Management Act and
potential water storage sites are impacting us locally
By Rep. Bill Hinkle
Many of you may have heard
about the landmark Columbia River Water Management Act that passed the
Washington State Legislature in 2006. This act addresses the competing
water needs of growing communities and agriculture in Central and
Eastern Washington while providing sufficient instream flows for fish.
It is the most significant state water resource legislation in several
years.
A promise has been made by state lawmakers to the public. And this
promise needs to be kept. Part of keeping a promise is communicating
with people about how legislation affects them. The following
information is an attempt to inform you on how the act and potential
water storage sites are impacting us locally.
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), state of Washington, and three
Columbia Basin irrigation districts entered into an agreement to improve
water management of the Columbia River in December 2004. Under this
agreement, Reclamation and the state Department of Ecology (Ecology)
committed to a study of potential Columbia River off-channel water
storage sites.
Though this agreement predated the Columbia River Water Management Act,
it became an important element of the act. This is because the act
directs Ecology to aggressively pursue development of new water supplies
to benefit both instream and out-of-stream uses and, most importantly,
provides state funding for the endeavors.
Ecology is now working with Reclamation on appraisal studies. This
includes preliminary assessments of how reservoir development would
impact the environment, including cultural resources. An appraisal study
is the groundwork to determine if a more comprehensive feasibility study
is warranted. A feasibility study is usually interfaced with National
Environmental Policy Act compliance and may include an environmental
impact study (EIS).
Reclamation and Ecology screened 11 potential water storage sites to
determine which ones are too far downstream from the Columbia River, too
small, or represent a risk of failure or leakage. Six sites were then
eliminated based on these parameters. Two other sites were eliminated by
request of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
Appraisal studies are now being conducted for four sites – Hawk Creek,
Foster Creek, Sand Hollow Creek, and Crab Creek. It is important to
remember these studies may not directly lead to any site being selected.
The results will simply be used by Reclamation and Ecology to determine
if more studies of these sites – or perhaps other sites – are needed,
and whether congressional authorization will be pursued for a
feasibility study or EIS.
It is difficult to predict precise timelines for any possible
feasibility study, EIS, or construction of a water storage facility
because of different variables. I am told, however, that appraisal
studies will not be finished for another month or so, with potential
feasibility studies and EIS not being completed until perhaps 2011. To
provide further perspective, it is estimated no new water storage site
would be developed before 2020.
I realize this process is unsettling for some people, while not
proceeding fast enough for others. I understand those concerns. Please
just remember it is important to be very thorough, deliberate and
precise when developing intricate systems that will lay the foundation
for our future water supplies for generations to come. I appreciate your
understanding and patience on this vital issue.
Please get in touch with my office if you want any more details or would
like the contact information for Tim Hill, outreach coordinator for the
Columbia River Water Management Project.
* The Columbia Basin Development League will hold a public
information meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Red Rock School in Royal
City.
Rep. Bill Hinkle represents the 13th Legislative District. His phone
number in Olympia is (360) 786-7809 and his e-mail address is
hinkle.bill@leg.wa.gov
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