YBSA Monthly Report September, 2007
YBSA Monthly Report
September, 2007
Black Rock Approval Coming: About 16 months from now the Storage Study will be presented to Congress. YBSA will have to work with a new President and Congress to get approval for construction of Black Rock. Because it’s a critical time, we need to increase our efforts to gain additional support for the adoption of Black Rock as the preferred project of the Storage Study. YBSA needs to generate enough capital to gather the expertise to present our position.
Rally for the Rock II: Rally for the Rock II will be held at the State Fair Room – SunDome in Yakima, WA Friday, October 19, 2007 from 7:00 to 9:00 am; a complimentary breakfast will be served. The program will include: timeline to construction, the most up to date information on the project, the responsibilities of all stakeholders, the risk of a “no action” alternative, and how it will affect the economy and future of our basin.
Pump-Storage is Valuable: The Bureau of Reclamation concluded that engineering and economic factors do no justify inclusion of a pumped-storage feature as an option to the Black Rock Project. The Bureau did not take into consideration climate change and the future need for power generation in our region. See Sid Morrision’s letter attached.
Hanford Cleanup Failure: The Yakima Herald-Republic editorial, “Hanford Cleanup Failure Befouls Worthy Project”, points out the need to move forward with the Black Rock Project. The seepage report by the Bureau of Reclamation states some concern about ground water movement within the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. YBSA believes the groundwater movement needs to be addressed. YBSA is working with the Bureau to develop a plan to mitigate the seepage problem. See editorial attachment.
Black Rock Seepage Presents Enormous Opportunities: The Bureau of Reclamation has the knowledge and ability to neutralize or reduce the hydrologic pressure on groundwater. The seepage is additional water that can be used for industrial, agriculture, and for new development in the area. Water is very valuable in Central Washington. The water can also be pumped back to the Columbia River or to the Yakima River for resue. Mitigation of seepage is a small portion of the cost of the Black Rock option.
Columbia River Policy Advisory Group Presentation: Sid Morrison and Chuck Klarich attended the Columbia River Policy Advisory Group meeting to present the values and benefits of the Black Rock Project. The large group meets monthly to develop plans for beneficial use of Columbia River water for both instream and out of stream flows with no net loss.
Black Rock is a water exchange program that meets those goals. The information presented included benefits to fish, instream flow, water for irrigation, and municipal and industrial use.
Black Rock is needed to offset possible climate change, and to better manage water remaining in the Yakima Basin for fish. This project will return the water that was drawn from the Columbia River back to the Columbia full of fish.
A few questions were asked after the presentation. Sid gave a positive answer to all questions and concerns. He emphasized that YBSA’s goal is to make Black Rock a restoration and Salmon Recovery Project.
The group was very receptive and could see the value of Black Rock.
YBSA Website: YBSA new website is being hosted by Benton REA and is operational. The site will be updated weekly. If you have questions contact klarichcj@charter.net. You can access the site at ybsa.org.
Tour of Irrigation Projects: Warren Dickman, YBSA Board Member, participated in the annual tour of irrigation projects in the Yakima Basin. The projects included the Wapato diversion dam being modified to help control future water episodes and repairs of the fish ladder. The tour also included stops at the Sunnyside and Roza equalizing sites which will help conserve water. YBSA supports water conservation.
DIP: YBSA testified in favor of the adoption of the Detailed Implementation Plan which was developed to continue to implement the recommendations in the Yakima River Basin Watershed Plan. The Board of Commissioners from Benton, Klickitat, and Yakima Counties approved the plan.
Fair Booth: YBSA will have a booth at the Central Washington State Fair. It will be located in the SunDome. Stop by to gather information and show your support for the Black Rock Project. If you are interested in helping in the booth stop by or contact us and let us know.
Rally of the Rock II
YBSA Executive and Finance Committee met and organized the Rally for the Rock II. The purpose of the Rally was to inform people of the Yakima Basin that the Storage Study concludes in December, 2008 and there are no fatal flaws which could derail the project. Also, with climate change Black Rock becomes more important for the economy of the Yakima Basin. Breakfast was served to about 200 people and YBSA Chair Sid Morrison opened the Rally at 7:20 am.
The following presentations were made:
Gerald Kelso, BOR – seepage and mitigation
Mitigation methods include additional barriers, drainage tunnels, holes to intercept the drainage and trenches to move the water. Barriers can be constructed where Dry Creek meets Cold Creek. Water can be reduced by pumping. The BOR has built dams and used seepage barriers and other methods to reduce seepage. These methods have been used on other dams throughout the west.
Sid Morrison, Chair YBSA
New industries and agriculture are always looking for water.
Dave Wykoff – climate change
Black Rock is the best possible solution for the water problem in the Yakima Basin. Water is the major issue we need to look at and solve. With climate change we will have more years without sufficient water. Temperatures are increasing dramatically about 3.5 degrees in the next 20 years.
In the Comparison of Simulated Runoff in the Yakima Basin by the University of Washington Impact Group on Climate Change, the USGS and the BOR report; water will run off earlier and faster, there will be a greater number of low water years and a greater need for additional storage – Black Rock is the best.
Sid Morrison
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council is concerned about flooding with accelerated runoff.
Jerry Menninick, Yakama Nation
The Yakama Nation is in support of the completion of the study. There has to be a contribution to fish and the ecosystem. We need water for the surface and the aquifer. Yakama delegation went to Washington, D.C. to support the study. Once the Yakamas have answers the Nation will or will not support the project.
Sid Morrison
YBSA is working on draft legislation to meet all the needs in the Basin and is sending an invitation to the Yakama Nation to assist in developing legislation to address their concerns.
Rick Valicoff, Roza Board Chair
Roza wants to see the Storage Study finished and the completed E.I.S. We are in favor of any additional storage and hope Black Rock will be successful.
Sid Morrison
Bumping Lake is almost impossible to build. Any storage in the Yakima Basin will only be viable if we have higher mountains to keep our snowpack with climate change.
Dave McFadden, Yakima County Development Association – economic benefits
The Yakima area needs more water for municipal growth and to take care of the environment. Black Rock is the only long term solution that will work for the Yakima Basin.
Interest in resorts has increased in recent years and Black Rock will provide a platform for development. Recreation would become a multi-million dollar industry for the Yakima Basin.
Sid Morrison
The Storage Study will indicate Black Rock Project will provide the water necessary for fish, municipal growth, and agriculture.
Bob Hall, Finance Chair YBSA
At the present time our economy is very good. We are not facing problems in agriculture or manufacturing. We have our highest employment and lowest unemployment now. This project is not for us it’s for our children and grandchildren.
It’s time to ask for everyone’s commitment over the next 24 months both financial and personal support of the Black Rock Project. YBSA needs all of your help to make this project successful.
Questions and Answers:
Q. Why not pump water directly from the Columbia River to the Yakima River?
A. Timing, there’s not enough water in the Columbia River in the summer time, the only way is a water exchange with Black Rock Reservoir.
Q. Is it possible to have another get together after the E.I.S. process?
A. Yes, Rally for the Rock III.
Q. Is there competition for Columbia River Water?
A. Yes, but the only viable project is Black Rock and everyone needs to support Black Rock.
Q. What’s the cost to build Black Rock and how will the cost affect the payment by agriculture?
A. $5 billion to build. Gerry Kelso, BOR stated, “the cost to agriculture is based upon ability to pay.”
Thanks to the following for sponsoring Rally for the Rock II: