YBSA Monthly Report October, 2014

YBSA Monthly Report

October, 2014

Review of the Integrated Plan: YBSA contracted with Normandeau Associates Inc., a national environmental consultant, to do an independent review of the Integrated Plan. The review was to evaluate:

1. if the Integrated Plan would provide sufficient water for instream and out of stream water needs,
2. if the capacity of the storage of water in the Integrated Plan will be sufficient to provide over the long term, and
3. if the timeline for construction of the storage projects is achievable over the long term.The highlights of the report are

• The water needs assessment for instream and out of stream use is insufficient.
• Tribal treaty flow rights for fish can influence the allocation of water available for irrigation in drought years.
• Water needs currently exceed supply and future scarcity is overlooked.
• Storage is insufficient to address future water needs and supplies.
• The storage projects will not provide enough water volume, predictable water supply and the necessary water storage capacity for future needs.
• Increasing ground water depletion.
• The Integrated Plan economic model is inconsistent and limited.
• What do the Normandeau report conclusions mean for the Integrated Plan and the future of the Yakima Basin?
• The value of water to the region’s productivity and prosperity needs to be aligned with the predicted scarcity.The completed review of the overview of the Integrated Plan, an infograph of possible water available in the Yakima Basin, and the complete report of the review of the Integrated Plan prepared by Normandeau Associated Inc. can be found at www.ybsa.org.