YBSA Monthly Report August, 2011

YBSA Monthly Report
August, 2011

Meeting with Yakima City Council on Pumped Storage/Wind Energy: YBSA met with the Transportation and Utility Committee of the Yakima City Council. The purpose of the meeting was to report on the assessment analysis of a pumped storage/wind energy project to help meet the water needs of the Yakima Basin and assist in the integration of wind resources. The Yakima City Council received a letter from the Yakima Basin Joint Board (Irrigators) requesting the city not support the analysis. YBSA supports the Integrated Plan but believes it’s critical to review all the possible tools in the toolbox to insure sufficient water is available in the Yakima Basin now and in the future.

Salmon Walk: Each September the Salmon start returning to the Yakima River Basin. Salmon walks will be hosted by Bob Tuck again this year. Viewing will occur on both the American and Cle Elum Rivers. Sockeye will be spawning in the upper Cle Elum River above Lake Cle Elum. Contact YBSA at (509) 840-2759 or Bob Tuck at (509) 945-7250 for specific times and locations.
Above are two pictures of salmon spawning from last year. There are videos of last year’s spawning at www.ybsa.org.

Central Washington State Fair: The Central Washington State Fair will start September 23 and run through October 2 at the Yakima County Fair Grounds. YBSA will have a booth at the fair with information about water issues that have occurred in the Yakima Basin. Displays and information on the water supply in the basin for fish, agriculture, and municipal and residential needs will be provided. Stop by and visit or volunteer to help operate the booth.

For additional information see www.ybsa.org