YBSA Monthly Report December, 2012

YBSA Monthly Report

December, 2012

Governor’s Budget Policy Brief:  Governor Chris Gregoire’s 2013 Budget Policy Brief-Managing Water in theYakimaBasin: The activities recommended for funding in the capital budget are:

Complete early action water supply projects ($20.9 million)

The Department of Ecology will restore main stem and tributary habitat, construct fish passage facilities, divert power to support salmon migration, increase Lake Cle Elum storage, pump water into reservoirs to improve in-stream flows, enlarge Bumping Lake, construct a pipeline to connect Lake Keechelus and Lake Kachess, modify the Lake Kachess reservoir and create a groundwater infiltration system.

Acquire water rights ($2.0 million)

The Department of Ecology will purchase existing senior water rights to provide seed water for establishing and operating basin water banks. Water banking is a mechanism used to facilitate legal transfer and market exchange of various types of surface, groundwater and storage entitlements. Setting up these banks will reduce barriers to completing water transfers and making water available for new uses.

Go to www.ybsa.org for full report and updated information.

YBSA wishes everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!