YBSA Monthly Report May, 2008

YBSA Monthly Report
May, 2008

Meeting with State Representatives: YBSA met with State Representatives Chandler & Newhouse to provide them with an update on the Storage Study. Our Representatives supported the idea of preparing legislation to provide more water for the Yakima River Basin and to restore the environment and salmon runs. Representative Chandler will review the history of BOR project funding and provide YBSA information on different State funding options. Agriculture will not pay more than what they get in benefit. YBSA is proceeding with the Yakima River Basin Environmental & Salmon Restoration Act.

BOR Report: Kim McCartney, Manager of the Yakima River Basin Storage Study, reported:
 Normative river has many definitions depending on the needs of the program to address a specific problem.
 All the fish biologists met and determined the need for water in each reach – needed more water.
 The Storage Study shows that all the target flows in the Columbia River can be met and still provide water for Black Rock even during water short years.
 Bumping Lake and Wymer were reviewed thoroughly and the conclusion will be included in the report with the EIS comments.
 The Bureau of Reclamation may have to do a supplemental EIS to answer the seepage question. A mitigation report on seepage will be available in August or September, 2008.
 The Study team will again look at the value of fish non-use based upon EIS comments concerning the amount of money spent on Salmon Recovery.
 The questions and some answers on the EIS comments will be posted on the BOR website.

Yakama Nation Meeting: YBSA scheduled a meeting with the Yakama Nation Tribal Council and Committees. Very few Yakima Nation members attended the luncheon. Sid opened the discussion stating we were there to work together as neighbors to solve the ongoing water needs in the Yakima Basin for fish, agriculture and municipal use. The staff from the Nation indicated they were tired of hearing about Black Rock and would like to continue the study of Bumping Lake and Wymer. Charlie stated YBSA will proceed with preparing legislation which would start the restoration of the environment and salmon in the Yakima Basin.

See Attachment of proposed legislation.

Professional Review: The YBSA Board authorized the development of a professional review of the hydrology and seepage around Black Rock Reservoir.