YBSA Monthly Report April, 2008
YBSA Monthly Report
April, 2008
Executive Committee: The executive committee met numerous times and discussed the types of communications that would be necessary to inform the public of the value the Black Rock project is to our Region and State. Information on the value of salmon recovery, agriculture beyond farm-gate, recreation and jobs were not included in the National Economic Development Benefits in the storage study. If regional benefits were included the benefits would exceed the cost.
YBSA will continue to support the Yakima River Basin Storage Study. The Study demonstrates how the Black Rock project will provide water for a more normative river for the environment and fish, a minimum 70% guaranteed water every year for the proratable irrigation districts, and more water for future municipal growth.
YBSA will pursue discussions with other interested parties to develop a package that includes the environmental health and salmon restoration in the Yakima Basin
Kim McCartney: Kim’s Report: Yakima River Basin Study Team is compiling the comments received on the Storage Study EIS, will distribute those comments to the appropriate people to answer the questions and then will publish a response. The Study Team will have to scan each comment prior to making them available to YBSA as requested.
The law at the present time reads the Yakima River will have a minimum flow of 300 a/f during dry years and 600 a/f during normal years. The Storage Study indicated Black Rock could provide 13,000 to 15,000 a/f for instream flow. The Black Rock project would provide water for Roza and Sunnyside Irrigation Districts. The water that remains in the Yakima River can be managed to make the river function as it did to move side channels, move sediment, create wetlands, develop habitat, and create passage into some of the existing reservoirs.
Editorial Board: Chairman Morrison met with the Yakima Herald Republic Editorial Board along with representatives of the Yakama Nation and Roza Irrigation District. See attached editorial.
CSRIA: YBSA met with Columbia Snake River Irrigation Association. Chuck and Court Wyckoff were also in attendance. Discussion centered on what other project would YBSA support, how long will it take to build Black Rock, and where will the money come from to finance the project. YBSA’s answer was we will support any project that provides a long term solution as defined by Congress and are in the process of developing a financial plan. CSRIA stated they are not concerned with seepage from Black Rock. Chuck Wyckoff commented that Black Rock was not dead; it would put more water in the Columbia River at critical times, and is the only long term solution for our water problems.
Irrigators: YBSA met with Yakima Basin Irrigators at their April 25th meeting. We emphasized the need to work together to create a long term solution to our water problem which will benefit all irrigation districts in the basin. We need to meet the needs of the environment and salmon restoration along with guarantee of water for irrigation purposes.
Yakama Nation: Members of the YBSA board attended a luncheon with members of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council and others. The discussion was about how we as neighbors can come together to solve our common water, environmental and fish problems here in the Yakima Basin.
Dairy Federation: YBSA met with members of the Dairy Federation to inform them of the progress of the Storage Study and the value of Black Rock and seek their support.
Board Members Meetings: YBSA board members met with: Realtors and others in the Tri-Cities to discuss a workshop, Ted Strong to review salmon recovery and environmental concerns, Alex Conley – Executive Director, Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board – discussed what needs to be done to continue to develop salmon recovery in the basin.