YBSA Monthly Report July, 2007
YBSA Monthly Report
July, 2007
Meeting about Seepage: YBSA met with Gerry Kelso and the Yakima Basin Storage Study Team July 24.
The BOR has completed their estimate of seepage. It has been delivered to Hanford for their review and comment. The report will be available for everyone’s review by mid August.
The leakage from Black Rock is estimated to be between 1% & 3% and will follow a pathway down dry creek. Gerry Kelso indicated that there are many ways to address drainage such as additional barriers in the dam to reduce or limit the leakage, intercept the water with smaller dams, with wells to pump the water. Discussions with DOE and Hanford are occurring on how to manage the water.
Gerry stated, “Seepage is not a fatal flaw; it’s just a problem on how to deal with the seepage.”
A study on climate change is being done by the University of Washington Climate Change Group to provide scenarios for the increase in temperature that could occur. The Northwest Power Planning and Conservation Council report on climate change looks at problems of flooding, power generation, and the need for cool water to help temperatures in the Columbia River.
The BOR has completed the study of:
1) Amount of water in the Columbia River.
2) Water that might be available in the Yakima River to fill Wymer.
3) Both habitat and ground water.
4) The State will look at water marketing, conservation, and aquifer storage.
5) Models for water and fish needs.
The BOR plans to hold a roundtable meeting in September. They will put their monthly report on their webpage in August.
Cassidy and Associates: Denny Vaughn, representing Cassidy and Associates, met with members of the YBSA executive committee. Denny was able to attend the meeting YBSA had with Gerry Kelso and the Yakima River Basin Storage Team. He was pleased with the report by BOR and felt the Black Rock project is a doable project and will continue to support it in Washington D.C.
Letter to TRIDEC: A follow-up letter signed by YBSA chair Sid Morrison and Bill Lampson, member of our Board of Directors was delivered to Carl Adrian and the TRIDEC Executive Board. The Tri-Cities are a very important part of the Yakima River Basin and their support is vital to the success of the Black Rock Project.
Presentation to Building Trade: Rockey and Charlie made a presentation to the Washington State Building Trades delegates at their annual convention. Charlie met with their executive committee and asked for their financial support. He explained how YBSA uses their funds to publicize the Black Rock project. Rockey’s presentation was made to the 150 delegates at the convention. The Building Trades continue to support YBSA’s efforts to make Black Rock Reservoir a reality.
Informing the Public: YBSA Executive Committee is reviewing ways to inform the public of the values of Black Rock. The time for public comment on the Environmental Review will start in January, 2008. The value of the Black Rock project with an environmental and habitat component included needs to be explained to the people of the Yakima Basin prior to the public comment period on the Yakima Basin Storage Study.
Copy of Proposed Legislation: The Washington State Library forwarded a copy of Senator Dan Evans proposed legislation S-2322, to authorize certain elements of the Yakima River Water Enhancement Projects to YBSA. The S-2322 didn’t pass but YBSA believes a comprehensive solution can be met in the Yakima Basin with the increased water provided by Black Rock Reservoir. A Bill to authorize elements of the Yakima River Basin Water Restoration and Salmon Recovery Project, and for other purposes would address the needs for fish, agriculture, and municipal use.