YBSA Monthly Report October, 2006

YBSA Monthly Report
October, 2006

Recreation and Energy Study: The Recreation and Economic Development Analysis of lands around the proposed Black Rock Reservoir is progressing. A concept plan and a market/financial/economic analysis will be ready to be submitted to the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in November. The Analysis is very important to show the additional value Black Rock will be to the Yakima Basin. A special thank you goes out to the Port of Sunnyside and Amber Hansen for their leadership in development of the study.
Also a power and energy study is being performed by Energy Northwest to identify the increasing range of power generation options. The availability of power generation from Black Rock Reservoir provides another valuable asset and could offset the pumping costs. YBSA is seeking additional funding to pay for these important studies.

BOR Meeting: YBSA met with the BOR and were informed by Gerry Kelso, regional director of the Yakima office, that the geology is sound and a safe dam can be constructed at the site. YBSA will meet with the BOR on November 14 for a report which will identify the preferred alternatives to be carried forward for the Feasibility Study and the Environmental Review.

Tri-Cities Meeting: Members of the YBSA Board from the Yakima area met with our board members from the Tri-Cities. Sid and Charlie provided a recap of the Black Rock Study, the State of Washington’s Columbia River Storage proposal, and the Roundtable on Salmon Restoration. Bob discussed a proposed meeting with Tri-Dec and New Vision to review the value Black Rock is to the Yakima Basin. It was also pointed out that the BOR guidelines to build a project have not been met since President Carter’s administration, but many projects have been completed. Thanks Marty for organizing the meeting.

Planned Meeting: Meetings have been arranged with Jay Manning, Director of DOE; the Kennewick Irrigation District; and the Bureau of Reclamation. Requests have been made to American Rivers, the State Environmental Council and others to discuss the development of a package that will provide the best use of the additional water that will be available in the Yakima Basin when Black Rock Reservoir is operational.

The Value of Black Rock: YBSA met with the new director of the Department of the Interior Dirk Hinthorne. We were able to provide him with information on the Development of the Black Rock Study and how important Black Rock will be to the environment, fish and economic value of the Yakima Basin, the Columbia River, and the Pacific Northwest.
Black Rock Reservoir is a multi-use, multi-benefit package. The benefits go beyond water for fish, instream flow, and the environment. The economic future of the Yakima Basin depends on additional water and Black Rock will help provide that water.
YBSA is expanding our goals to include other interests and to work with other groups to get the job done. We need a united effort to complete the Black Rock Project.