YBSA Monthly Report December, 2008
YBSA Monthly Report
December, 2008
Feasibility Study: The final amended final planning report of the Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study tells us that the Black Rock Reservoir and water distribution system is technically feasible, can be built and is the only option that meets all the water supply criteria established by Congress. The criteria set by Congress includes: to improve anadromous fish habitat and create a more natural flow in the Yakima and Naches Rivers, to provide proratable (junior) irrigators with not less than 70% water supply during dry years, and maintain a full municipal water supply for future growth. The Yakima Basin Storage Alliance and supporters of a comprehensive solution to the water problems in the Yakima Basin agree with the findings and will continue to pursue authorization of the Yakima River Basin Environmental and Salmon Recovery proposal which includes the Black Rock Project.
The important additions to the Study included; methods for mitigation of ground water movement when completed would not affect the containments in the sediments at the Hanford Site. (see pages 4-36, 37) Reductions in flows in the Columbia River would occur when water would be stored in Lake Roosevelt and Banks Lake. These reductions would be in addition to pumping under the Black Rock Alternative but would not prevent pumping to Black Rock Reservoir in September, even in drought years. The impact would be reduced, however, because the Black Rock Alternative would increase discharges down the Yakima River during September by about 700-1000 cfs. (see pages 4-16, 17)
Under the Black Rock Alternative the irrigation proration level is improved to the 70% goal in the third year of the 3-year dry cycle. (see page 4-12) With approximately 400-600 thousand a/f available when Black Rock Reservoir is operational the negative affect of the flip-flop will be eliminated. (see 4-123, 124)
DOE Draft EIS: The Department of Ecology Supplemental Draft EIS of the Storage Study misses the point entirely. There is not enough water in the Yakima Basin to satisfy our needs every year for fish, agriculture, and municipal use. The proposed Water Resource Management Alternative program reduces the existing supply and with possible climate change will create a greater problem in the future. The smorgasbord of projects (pages s-2, 3) listed might be funded over a period of years without the possibility of additional water therefore our problems would increase. The Draft suggests additional storage which is not an option in the Yakima River Basin. The Yakima Basin doesn’t need additional dams and the proposed Bumping Lake enlargement is not only a detriment to the environment it would only have 4,418 a/f available during dry years. (see table D-3 monthly volume of water available for storage at Bumping Lake 1981-2005) The cost estimates for the Resource Management Alternative is $2.4 billion and our problem of not having enough water in the Yakima Basin would still exist.
Comment Period DOE Draft EIS: The Department of Ecology has set their public comment period from December 10, 2008 to January 16, 2009 to respond to the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement based upon SEPA. We encourage everyone to respond reminding the DOE that the project was to improve fish habitat by restoring flows that resemble the natural hydrograph, assure proratable irrigation districts at a 70% supply during consecutive dry years, and meet municipal needs by supplying additional surface water for future growth which would not occur under the Water Resource Management Program. The report can be found at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cwp/cr_yak_storage.html.
Comment Period BOR PR/EIS: The Bureau of Reclamation has published its Final Planning Report and Environmental Impact Statement, Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study. It contains new analysis on seepage mitigation measures and additional information on river flow, availability of water from the Columbia River and the amount of water available for fish and irrigation from Black Rock. A 45 day review and comment period is necessary because of the additional information on seepage from Black Rock. Comment may be submitted electronically to storagestudy@pn.usbr.gov. Comments must be postmarked by February 3, 2009. The Final PR/EIS can be found at: www.usbr.gov/pn.programs/storagestudy.
YBSA Advertisements: YBSA is continuing to publicize the benefits of the Yakima River Basin Environmental and Salmon Recovery program which includes the Black Rock Reservoir project on television, the radio, and newspapers. (See the attachment
YES IT CAN
NO ACTION = NO FUTURE
See www.ybsa.org for the real benefits that will occur with the Yakima River Basin Environmental and Salmon Recovery Plan which includes the Black Rock Reservoir Project.