YBSA Monthly Report January, 2008

YBSA Monthly Report
January, 2008

BOR Report: YBSA discussed items which appear in the Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study found at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/storage_study/reports/eis/draft-pr-eis.pdf . It is important that everyone understands how necessary the Black Rock Project is to the survival of salmon and steelhead in the Yakima River and the economy in the Yakima Basin. YBSA will be distributing information on why the Study by the BOR did not do a complete evaluation of the benefits of the Black Rock Project. They continue to review the benefits based upon what has happened in the past, did not consider climate change, and did not consider the new habitat that would be developed with additional water. Also, BOR did not consider what would happen to the Yakima Basin in the future without a Black Rock Project.

Visit by Jack Stanford: Jack Stanford, the author of the Reaches Report and an expert on salmon recovery, will be visiting our area to point out how additional water in the Yakima River can produce an abundance of fish.

Realtors: A special thanks to the Yakima, Tri-Cities, and Lower Valley Boards of Realtors for their contribution to YBSA and their success in acquiring a $50,000 donation from the State Board of Realtors.

Meeting with Irrigation Districts: A meeting was held with the Columbia and Kennewick Irrigation Districts in the Tri-Cities. Both irrigation districts need additional water. Seepage (return flow) from Black Rock piped and could provide an important benefit to the Tri-City area. With the tremendous growth around the Tri-Cities, more water is needed.

Displays: YBSA provided a display at Bleyhls and the Hop Growers Meeting. The display pointed out the benefits of the Black Rock Project. Many of the members at the meeting stopped by the display and stated their support for the project.

YBSA distributed a news release, “Study Underestimates Value, Urgency of Black Rock Reservoir Project” explaining about the items omitted and/or not fully evaluated in the Draft Planning Report/Environmental Impact Statement in the Storage Study.

Some key messages related to the Black Rock Project are
(1) Developing a sustainable water supply for the Yakima River Basin cannot wait. Demand for water in the basin will increase as a result of climate change.
(2) The Black Rock Reservoir project is a critical component of successful salmon recovery efforts in the Pacific Northwest.
(3) The Reservoir provides a diverse set of benefits to Native Americans, farmers, cities, and people in the Pacific Northwest.

Don’t forget to monitor YBSA’s website at www.ybsa.org.