YBSA Monthly Report
January, 2010

YBSA is pleased to see the Integrated Water Planning process for the Yakima Basin go forward under the direction of DOE. Our position has been for the last year to support the least cost alternative that meets the needs stipulated in Federal criteria. We believe it is imperative to compare these alternatives on an ”apples to apples” basis. We are working with our partners at Yakima, Benton and Kittitas to be sure this scorecard works for all interests.

We were pleased to hear from the Irrigation community that the BOR commissioner and the administration are supportive of water storage construction projects that provide a sustainable water supply for irrigation, environmental and municipal needs and have a power component and help compliance with treaty rights. We also know that the whole country needs projects that create lasting jobs.

The December 2009 report of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project 2009 Work Group presented a “Preliminary Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (IWRMP) for the Yakima basin. The IWRMP consists of the following proposed phases: Phase I to be implemented within the first 10 years (2011-2020) following Congressional and State legislative authorization and funding, and Phase II potential projects for implementation in years 11 through 30+ (2021-2040) subject to results and findings from the Phase I projects and factors such as population growth, fish flows, and effects of climate change resulting in changed water needs.

The IWRMP report includes bar graphs on page 18 (Figures 3 and 4) showing the estimated Total Water Supply Available (TWSA) and irrigation proration levels which could occur with implementation of Phases I and II and a repeat of the water supply conditions during the three year drought of 1992-1994 and the single year drought of 2005. These graphs present a “false sense of security” for improving the water supply reliability in the Yakima basin because (1) the IWRMP currently includes projects that may be eliminated as the result of environmental issues and inadequate water and includes fish passage and habitat improvements which could impact the basin’s water supply, and (2) Phase II projects which may never be funded and implemented.

With the current snow pack far below average it is imperative we understand what the Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (IWRMP) has included to improve the Yakima Basin water supply. The bar graph below shows the TWSA and the irrigation proration levels for drought years 1994 and 2005 with the addition of Phase I projects under the following assumptions:

1. with all of the proposed Phase I projects implemented (water conservation, Wymer Reservoir, Bumping Lake Enlargement, tapping into some of the inactive pools at the existing reservoirs, and groundwater storage);
2. with all of the Phase I projects implemented with the exception of Bumping Lake Enlargement; and
3. with all of the Phase I projects implemented with the exception of Bumping Lake Enlargement and groundwater storage.

Phase II projects consisting of additional water conservation, inactive storage, groundwater storage, and pumping from the Columbia River are not included in the bar graph. These projects are dependent on future Congressional and State legislative funding 11 to 30+ years “down the road” after Phase I.

For additional information see www.ybsa.org

YBSA Monthly Report
December, 2009

Work group Integrated Management Plan: The Final 2009 YRBWEP Work Group meeting was held December 17th. A consensus vote (1-6) was taken. The comments raised during the vote ranged from agreeing to move forward (1), abstain because not enough information was available (4) on water supply projects, and some projects may be unattainable (6). Everyone agreed the process needs to move forward and include more detailed information on each element. The Department of Ecology and Bureau of Reclamation have $1.3 million available to evaluate each project. The Work Group process will continue in 2010 with additional review of instream and out of stream water needs, a description of each project, and environmental and legal constraints. Most of the storage projects proposed have been studied in the past and have been rejected.

Environmental groups and others oppose the enlargement of Bumping Lake. Bumping Lake enlargement would contain the majority of new water for the Yakima Basin.

YBSA Concerns: The new and expanded surface storage reservoir part of the integrated plan does not provide the water to solve the water supply requirements for fish, agriculture and municipal needs in the Yakima Basin. Climate change concerns, cost of each proposed project and the total cost of the IWRMP, identifying those projects that may never be built, how the benefits of the projects improve fish runs, and the amount of water provided during droughts need to be identified and quantified.

The estimated cost of the YRBWEP integrated water resource management program is estimated to be $4+ billion, without cost of operation, contingencies and mobilization. That amount mirrors the estimated costs of the proposed Columbia River Pump/Storage (Black Rock) with few of the benefits. The remainder of the management program, ground water storage, structural and operational changes, enhanced water conservation measures, market driven reallocation, fish habitat restoration and construction and operation of fish passage at existing reservoirs would continue to be included in the pump/storage project with sufficient water protecting our fish runs and our economy.

Score Card: A comparison of water supply and costs has to be included in a score card. The score card should compare the costs/benefits of the Integrated Water Resource Management Program with the Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study (Black Rock). More than 500,000 salmon could return to the Yakima River with the additional water made available by the Black Rock Reservoir project. With stimulus money available for infrastructure and creation of more than 10,000 jobs needed to bolster the economy the pump/storage project should be proposed. Consensus by the Work group could move the Columbia Pump/Storage project forward.

Funds Given to Salmon Recovery Projects: Salmon recovery projects totaling more than $1.8 million were awarded Tuesday in four Central Washington counties. The State Salmon Recovery Funding Board approved the grants based on recommendation from local groups. Statewide, the board has allocated nearly $43 million to projects designed to improve fish habitat. Central Washington is home to two species listed as threatened on the Endangered Species List: the middle Columbia River steelhead trout and bull trout. Yakima County received the lion’s share of the area funding $1.1 million for four projects. Among them are removal of fish barriers on Cowiche Creek and Nile Creek, reconnecting Tepee Creek in Klickitat River subbasin to its floodplain, and relocating the levee at the county’s Eschbach Park, northwest of Yakima. The Kittitas County Conservation District will receive $328,500 to remove a small irrigation dam on the Teanaway River, northwest of Ellensburg, and modernize an irrigation delivery system. In Klickitat County, $265,650 was awarded to purchase six acres of flood plain that salmon use to spawn. The Benton Conservation District will receive $115,362 to install fish screens on 13 irrigation diversions. (Dave Lester YH-R) Projects have been funded over the past 9 years and come from Federal Government and matched by the State through the sale of bonds.

These programs continue to improve Salmon habitat in the Yakima Basin. They improve structure and operation of existing water facilities and fish habitat at restoration and enhancement in the Yakima River and its tributaries which are part of the Integrated Water Resource Management Program being considered by the 2009 Work Group. With the largest amount of additional water coming from the expansion of Bumping Lake and the environmental community and others opposed to the expansion, sufficient water for instream and out of stream use in the Yakima Basin is in jeopardy.

The drought in California is taking its toll. See http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6027412n&tag=api
For additional information see www.ybsa.org
YBSA wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year.

YBSA Monthly Report
November, 2009

The Economy: The Yakima Basin Storage Alliance continues to pursue the need for more off stream storage to protect and enhance our economy and environment. Without an adequate supply of water to increase the number of anadromous fish in the basin, guarantee a minimum of 70% water for proratable irrigation districts, and provide water for municipal growth including enough to recharge exempt wells, the Basin will start on an economic downward cycle. The number of jobs will decrease, fewer purchases will be made, and schools, cities, counties, and fire districts will have less money to provide vital services. When there isn’t enough water in the Basin to protect and enhance fisheries someone will determine who will receive the limited supply. In other basins, such as the Sacramento, the Klamath, and the Okanogan, fish have won out. If that would occur in the Yakima Basin our economy would be damaged and unemployment would increase.

New Water from Outside the Basin: We now have an opportunity to solve the water problem for future generations even with climate change. The solution is pump/storage of water from the Columbia River when it’s not needed in the Columbia River and use the water for irrigation purposes, freeing up large amounts of water in the Yakima Basin. The water can be used to address the Yakama Nation Treaty Rights, return more than 500,000 salmon to the Yakima River, provide the water needed to build fish ladders over exiting dams, and create many miles of fish habitat without damaging the existing environment in the Yakima Basin.

Will the Work Group Process Solve the Problem?: YBSA is concerned with the direction the Work Group is taking. We have asked repeatedly for a score card to be able to evaluate the costs, amount of water provided, how many more fish will be produced, and how long it will take to complete each project. YBSA’s request has been ignored so far and the Work Group is moving on making decisions on projects without important information. The Work Group is trying to find the least amount of water for the least cost with no regard to the urgency or the need for a large amount of new water in the Yakima Basin. The Phased approach proposed would allow a few projects to possibly get funded now with others being postponed or forgotten and never completed. We will be in the same position here in the Yakima Basin as we have been during the last 30 plus years. The Audubon Society provided a letter to the Work Group stating that they oppose the inclusion of enlarging Bumping Lake in the proposal. The other environmental groups expressed their doubt that Bumping Lake will ever be enlarged. Raising the elevation of Lake Cle Elum and/or pumping water from dead storage have been reviewed in the past and have been rejected. The proposed Keechelus-to-Kachees pipeline would only be useable and cost effective if climate change doesn’t reduce the amount of water available in the head waters of the Yakima River. Both the irrigation community and those interested in returning the Yakima River to its historical fish runs need to acquire water to accomplish those tasks.

Will a Package be Ready for Congress?: The review of the proposed components of the Basin Study and the Integrated Management Plan, including those which have been rejected in the past, will include eleven tasks and those tasks will be evaluated during 2010. In 2010 the DOE and BOR will spend more than $1 million evaluating the projects once again. The goal is a package to present to Congress. YBSA believes the package will be reduced to a minimum with very little water available to meet the Basin’s needs. The only additional water will be the water made available through conservation. Some of the other proposed projects for resolving water supply and stream flow may never come to fruition. Our elected officials are looking for a proposal which solves the water and fish problem. The package needs to produce enough water for fish and agriculture during consecutive drought years.

See www.ybsa.org for a comparison of pump storage vs the integrated management plan being reviewed by the Work Group.

The December 7th Work Group meeting has been canceled. Only the December 17th meeting will be held.

YBSA Monthly Report
October, 2009

Work Group Process: The Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP) Work Group has listed projects to be considered. (see attachments package phase 1, phase 2, & phase 3) The list includes a timeline that exceeds 25 years for completion. The list includes enlarging Bumping Lake, a 3 foot raise in elevation of Lake Cle Elum, extracting water from the existing reservoirs below the available storage, and a Keechelus-to-Kachees pipeline. Most of the projects have been evaluated in past studies and found to be insufficient due to environmental concerns; excess costs compared to benefits, and have failed in the past. The Combined Benefits of Phase 1 Projects based upon 2005 hydrologic conditions is estimated to take at least 10 years for completion. (see attachment phase 1) The numbers represented in the Combined Benefits of Phase 1 Projects are an estimate if able to be completed. The estimated cost of the Water Supply Benefit Package was in excess of $4 billion and several billion more over 30+ years. (see attachment YHA Bumping Lake)

Columbia Pump/Storage Program: The Columbia Pump Storage Program as defined in the Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study would provide water even during consecutive drought years. Construction costs of pump/storage from the Columbia River would be $4.5 billion as illustrated in Table 2.15 project costs.

Comparison of Phase I to Pump/Storage:
Water Supply Benefit
100 Year Term
0-10 Year Completion

Comparison of Proposed Phase 1 Projects and a Columbia Pump/Storage Program
Average Water Available Annually 2005 Conditions
TWSA Estimated TWSA With Storage During Drought 2005 Carry Over Volume April-Sept. at Parker April-Sept. at Yakima Mouth July-Oct. at Umtanum Estimated
Cost
No Action 1.76 Million Acre/Feet N/A 0 12 Thousand
Acre/Feet N/A N/A N/A
Columbia Pump Storage Up To 800 Thousand Acre/Feet1 2.56 Million Acre/Feet 85% Increase 50 Thousand
Acre/Feet 500 Thousand
Acre/Feet
Increase2 500 Thousand
Acre/Feet
Increase2 More Normal Flow2 $4.56 Billion
Storage Study
Combine Benefit Phase I 300 Thousand Acre/Feet When Completed 2.07 Million Acre/Feet 25% Increase 15 Thousand
Acre/Feet 193 Thousand
Acre/Feet
Increase 131 Thousand
Acre/Feet
Increase 200 Thousand
Acre/Feet
Decrease $4+ Billion Work Group
Pump/Storage would provide 1.3 Million Acre/Feet Available Annually
1 Roza and Sunnyside Irrigation Districts would use all or some of the available water to fulfill their contracts for water.
2 Freed water would be managed for instream flow and fish.

Projects Funded with Columbia Pump/Storage
Columbia pump/storage enables us to have a more normal flow in the Yakima River.
 Provides an opportunity for management of freed water by fish biologists (SOAC)
 Makes water available for fish passage at existing reservoirs
 Reduces flip-flop
 Provides funding for fish supplementation facilities and other fish enhancement programs by the Yakama Nation
 Provides water to enlarge habitat area with additional water in all 5 reaches of the Yakima River
 Make Bumping Lake a fish facility with a large fish ladder to accommodate natural flow
 Provides more than 70% water for proratable irrigation districts in consecutive drought years
 Provides protection for fish, agriculture, and municipal growth due to climate change
 Allows for a more normal flow in the Yakima and Cle Elum Rivers
 Provides additional water for groundwater infiltration

Conservation Programs: Conservation programs will continue as authorized and funded under the existing Title XII Enhancement Program.

YBSA Goals: A large amount of stored water is necessary to ensure a healthy economy. Water is the lifeblood of the Yakima Basin. Ensure that climate change is considered when seeking a solution for more water. Find the lowest cost alternative.

The economy and fisheries in the Yakima Basin can not wait another 30+ years to find a solution!

See www.ybsa.org for more information.

YBSA Monthly Report
September, 2009

YBSA Emphasizes More Storage: Yakima Basin Storage Alliance continues to emphasize the need for more stored water for the future of the Yakima Basin. A study completed by the U.S. Forrest Service based on climate change in the Northwest shows that warmer weather in the region will likely mean more rain and less snow and that 25% of the last 50 years shows a severe decrease in water flow in the 43 rivers and streams.

Work Group Discussions: The Work Group members appointed by BOR and DOE have been meeting searching for a solution to address the lack of enough water for instream flow and fish, irrigation and municipal growth in the Yakima Basin. So far most of the discussion revolves around fish passage, habitat, conservation, and market based allocation. Discussions by the Work Group of potential sites for additional water supply included
1) Enlarge Bumping Lake – not environmentally sound and would not fill every year;
2) ground water storage – may have to treat water;
3) drain the existing reservoirs in the Yakima Basin below their historic lake beds – just planted sockeye in Lake Cle Elum;
4) Keechelus to Kachees pipeline – study shows neither irrigation or fish habitat benefits;
5) raise the elevation of Lake Cle Elum 3 feet – requires purchase of properties and installing riprap along the shoreline for 14,600 a/f of storage.
6) Wymer Dam in the Yakima Canyon – pipe water from Lake Cle Elum when available .

The current discussion on water supply does not identify the amount of water needed during drought years, the number of years it would take to provide the additional water, and the total cost. Interbasin transfer of water from the Columbia River to the Yakima Basin is a solution that would provide the water needed for the future of the Basin.

Groundwater Study: John Vaccaro, USGS Hydrologist, presented information on the Yakima Basin Groundwater Study. The final modeling of the groundwater will be done by next year. He stated two methods to address ground water depletion are (1) put more water in the system and (2) use surface water and less groundwater. Additional information can be found on the USGS website.

Kittitas Groundwater Moratorium: Excerpts from the Attorney General of Washington opinion on the groundwater moratorium imposed on the upper Kittitas County:
1) Ecology has the statutory authority to withdraw groundwater in an area entirely from appropriation if it lacks sufficient information and data to allow for making a sound decision regarding water rights. Permits may be issued for new water rights or authorized new exempt withdrawals when the new appropriations of water are mitigated by existing trust water rights;
2) Ecology is authorized to acquire water rights by various means and apply them to a “trust water rights” program. Trust water rights can be exercised if Ecology determines that “no existing water rights, junior or senior in priority, will be impaired.”

Jay Manning on Global Warming: Jay Manning, Director of Ecology of Washington State, stated in the CEO Magazine on Global Warming: “There will be a 60-80% loss of snowpack by 2060. In a basin like Yakima, there isn’t enough water to go around. To take that much runoff out of the equation causes problems for existing water users such as farmers, and it also creates issues for growth. Warming could also have a devastating impact on fisheries. And the human health impacts will also be great. There will be mortality, disease and pests that expand their range.”

Future Needs Solution: With the prediction by the University of Washington Climate Center, the U.S. Forrest Service and Jay Manning of a reduction of snow pack and water available, it is time to find a long term solution which will meet the needs of the Yakima Basin for the next 100 years. With all the predictions of less water available in the Yakima Basin the fisheries, agriculture, and the residence of the Basin cannot settle for less than a complete solution.

See www.ybsa.org for more information.

YBSA Monthly Report
August, 2009

Solution to Work Group Elements: The Work Group continues to listen to presentations explaining each element of DOE’s proposed integrated water enhancement plan. The purpose of the explanation of each of the seven elements is to provide information which could be used to assemble a single integrated package by the end of December, 2009. Water supply to allow the package to be implemented is the single part of the package that appears to be the most difficult to quantify. The irrigation community need additional water currently with frequent droughts occurring, fish need cool, clear water to survive and return to spawn and municipalities need water to address the increases in population. With climate change occurring, along with frequent droughts, quantifying the amount of water needed for the survival of fish, to enhance our agricultural base, and the growth in population can only be solved by inter-basin transfer of water from the Columbia River to the Yakima River.

BOR Study: The $18 million study by the Bureau of Reclamation is complete. The good news is that a pumped-storage reservoir at Black Rock can be built, and surplus water is available from the Columbia River during high-flow months when electricity is cheap.

The federal study recommends “no action”. All of us at YBSA believe our Basin cannot survive with no action as climate change will squeeze the water supply and drought years come closer together.

Work Group Meetings: The State Department of Ecology (DOE) has advanced their own plan for water management in the Basin. They put together a Work Group and asked that all interested parties come together, look at all the studies that have been done through the years, and find an answer that works for everyone, both now and in the future. YBSA concurres with this approach.

The BOR and DOE have taken the lead and are now holding roundtable meetings every two weeks. Most of the group represents government at some level, including irrigation districts, the Yakama Nation, fish agencies, and city and county officials. YBSA is the only broad-based volunteer group involved.

YBSA announced at the opening roundtable session that we would be fighting to meet the three congressional mandates; water for fish, for people, for irrigation, and for satisfying these needs with the least-cost alternative. Since studies have a tendency to look only at the past, we are insisting that climate change projections be included.

Large Bumping Lake expansion, supported by the state DOE, has a “fatal flaw” because of the Bull Trout listed under the Endangered Species Act and was removed from consideration by the Work Group. The DOE’s version of storage at Wymer includes 44 miles of canal and 4 of tunnel to solve about 10 percent of the water supply shortage.

Climate change has to be taken into consideration when reviewing the water needs for each of the seven elements of the plan. Most of the projects in the integrated water resource plan have been discussed and studied for years. Additional conservation and ground water storage would provide very little of the water needed to solve the ongoing water needs of the Yakima Basin now and in the future. Fish passage, modifying structures, fish enhancement elements, and tributary habitat improvements enhance the salmon recovery and resident fish survival but provide no new water.

The potential of an inter-basin water exchange from the Columbia is still viable and may be looking better as we proceed with the Work Group process.

See www.ybsa.org for more information.

YBSA Monthly Report
July, 2009

Education on YRBIWRMA: YBSA is eager to learn about the elements in the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resources Management Alternative proposal by the Department of Ecology. YBSA will continue to pursue a comprehensive program that will fulfill the criteria set by Congress that will ensure enough water for the Yakima Basin. Climate change with more frequent droughts will jeopardize the environment and economy of the Yakima Basin.

Work Group Sessions: The first two Work Group sessions were devoted primarily to explanations of the 7 elements DOE proposed to solve the water problems of the Yakima Basin. Explanation of storage, fish passage at existing reservoirs, structural and operational changes, and fish habitat were expanded to include conservation, new storage including an expansion of Bumping Lake, direct pump from the Columbia River. The amount of water needed in the basin and the number of fish each project would generate were not discussed.

Conservation and Enhancement Legislation: Phase II of Title XII the Enhancement Legislation approved in 1994 provides funding annually for conservation projects including special funding for the Yakama Nation and the Wapato Irrigation District. Fish habitat and fish passage, enhancement of water in tributaries, and acquisition of property for habitat are also included in the existing enhancement legislation.

It was pointed out that many of the programs proposed in the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management alternative are included in the Title XII Enhancement program and have been funded since 1994 and will continue to be funded in the future.

Storage and Fish Passage: The development of a large amount of stored water, with fish passage at the existing reservoirs, will enhance the fisheries, including introduction of renewed species, prevent droughts, address the possibility of climate change, provide the water for municipal growth, and provide the water necessary to recharge the ground water.

The two items of the elements of the IWRMA the Work Group discussed at length were additional storage and fish passage at existing reservoirs. Comments such as:
large Bumping Lake option may be problematic for fish agencies,
flows in the Naches arm need to be addressed to balance flip-flop,
storage provides value to the Yakama Nation, the Wapato Irrigation Project and fisheries,
water demand needs to meet 70% reliability,
the basin does not have an adequate supply of water currently,
need passage at Lake Cle Elum and Bumping Lake when water supply has been solved.

Discussion so far on additional storage has not identified the additional water needed for fish, irrigation, or municipal use. The presentation on new storage identified in the Yakima River Basin Storage Study dismissed stored inter-basin transfer of Columbia River water, Wymer and Yakima River Pump Exchange as not economically justified. Bumping Lake expansion, Wymer Reservoir, Pine Hollow Reservoir were presented along with ground water storage.

Discussion has to include costs of the project, the amount of water each project would provide, the number of fish that would benefit from the additional water, how long it would take to complete the project, if it’s environmentally compatible, and is the project able to be developed.

With more frequent droughts and climate change the Yakima Basin cannot wait to develop a solution.

It was pointed out that the Yakama Nation has irrigation needs as well as fisheries interests and treaty rights need to be honored.

See www.ybsa.org for more information.

YBSA Monthly Report
June, 2009

YRBWEP Work Group: YBSA was invited to participate in the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP) 2009 work group. The Bureau of Reclamation and Washington State Department of Ecology convened the work group at 10:00 am, June 30. That group will use 30 years of information to develop a comprehensive water resources plan for the basin. Chairman Sid Morrison will occupy YBSA’s seat at the table.

Congress Criteria: YBSA’s goal is to make sure we have an adequate supply of water for the future. The 3 criteria adopted by Congress and evaluated in the Yakima River Basin Storage Study demonstrated that a large amount of storage would be necessary to: improve resident anadromous fish habitat with a more normal flow in the Yakima River, provide a minimum of 70% water supply for proratable irrigation districts even in the 3rd year of a drought, and make additional water available for municipal growth for the next 50 years. We believe if the work group can adopt a plan that meets the criteria in a timely manner the Yakima Basin’s fish and the economy will prosper.

YRBWEP Phase III: We are now in the process of developing Phase III of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project, Title XII Public Law 103-434 adopted October 31, 1994. Phase I approved in 1984 provided funding for fish screens and fish passage (small projects) and fish ladders. Phase II approved in 1994 included money to develop and implement a program: to protect, mitigate, and enhance fish and wildlife through water management; improved instream flows; improved water quality; protection, creation and enhancement of wetlands; and by other appropriate means of habitat improvement; to improve the reliability of water supply for irrigation; to authorize a Yakima River Basin water conservation program; to provide for implementation by the Yakama Nation of an irrigation demonstration project, Wapato Irrigation Project improvements, and a Toppenish Creek Corridor enhancement project; authorization to evaluate Lake Cle Elum and Kachess Lake for additional storage was also included. The Chandler Pumping plant was to be electrified so as to provide more instream flow in the lower Yakima River

Additional Storage Concern: YBSA’s concern is, with more frequent droughts along with climate change, continuing with a plan that envisions more small projects without additional storage will destroy both the economy and our attempt to restore fish runs in the Yakima River Basin.

Title XII Enhancement: The 1994 Title XII Enhancement Legislation was a program, which over the last 15 years, was to improve water supply, fish passage, and habitat which would lead us to Phase III storage. Funding for Phase II continues today and the package of projects proposed by DOE could be implemented. The next two meetings of the YRBWEP Work Group will be July 15th and 29th. They will convene at 9:30 am at the Yakima Arboretum.

See www.ybsa.org for more information.

YBSA Monthly Report
May, 2009

Salmon Recovery: Yakima Basin Storage Alliance is concerned that not all fish projects have been evaluated equally. What are the true costs and how many more fish will there be returning to the Yakima River Basin when the project is completed. There needs to be adequate flows in the lower reach of the river so a greater number of fish can return to make additional habitat and passage over the existing reservoirs beneficial.

Climate Change: The climate change study which was just completed for the Department of Ecology by the University of Washington Climate Group indicates snowpack in the Cascades will be reduced. Two-thirds of the water needed in the Yakima River comes from snow melt. Storage provides about one-third of the water needed. Department of Ecology and the Bureau of Reclamation must utilize climate change data to forecast the most likely scenario that will occur in the next ten to twenty years.

More New Water Needed: YBSA pushed for a study and funding for the Yakima River Basin Storage Feasibility Study which was completed by the Bureau of Reclamation. The Study stated the Black Rock Reservoir project would meet all three criteria set by Congress. The Bureau concluded that a no action alternative was their recommendation after the study was completed due to the estimated cost of the total program. This left the Yakima Basin with no solution to solve our water problems.

The Bureau of Reclamation along with the State Department of Ecology have now received additional funding to organize a Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP), 2009 workgroup. The plan is attempt to find a solution to head off additional droughts and climate change which would endanger both salmon recovery and the basins economy.

YBSA is stepping back as requested by our elected officials from Benton and Yakima Counties and will participate in the workgroup. The Yakima Basin Storage Alliance only goal is to ensure sufficient new water is available to meet the 3 criteria set by Congress.
 Improve anadromous fish habitat by restoring the flow regimes of the Yakima and Naches Rivers to resemble more closely the natural (unregulated) hydrograph.
 Improve the water supply for proratable (junior) irrigation entities by providing a not-less-than-70% irrigation water supply for irrigation districts during dry years.
 Meet future municipal water supply needs by maintaining full municipal water supply for existing users and providing additional surface water of 182,000 acre-feet for population growth to the year 2050.

See www.ybsa.org for more information.

YBSA Monthly Report
April, 2009

Meeting with Irrigators: YBSA Board of Directors met with Jerry Haak, Chair of the Roza Sunnyside Board of Joint Control, and Ric Valicoff, Chair of the Roza Irrigation Board. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways we might work together to assure the availability of sufficient water which would prevent droughts. Discussions also included the possible reduction of snow pack in the Cascades which is being predicted and how climate change should be addressed. We agreed to exchange memorandums in an attempt to reach a consensus.

Meeting with Dale Bombrich (NOAA): Members of the Executive Committee met with Dale to discuss the merits of a comprehensive legislative package similar to the Environmental and Salmon Recovery Proposal drafted by YBSA. The proposed legislation would be structured to meet the present and future instream and out-of-stream water needs of the Yakima Basin. YBSA understands the concerns of the fish management entities about how the Black Rock Reservoir would be used to help resolve fish flow issues in the basin. After 20 plus years and billions of dollars spent on the Title XII Enhancement program we still have years of insufficient water for fish, irrigation, and municipal growth.

Water Resource Crossroads: A combination of water supply and aquatic habitat measures are necessary to assure the sustainability of our irrigated agricultural economy and enhance our fishery resources. We know what is occurring in other river basins as to water and fishery resources and the supply and demand conflict. We are at a critical crossroads with respect to our water resources and are most concerned if these issues are not fully addressed now, this “hard-to-come-by” opportunity will be lost.

Kiewitt Pacific Company: YBSA met with Chuck Nylund, Assistant District Manager, and Bart Happer, Business Development Specialist from the Vancouver, Washington office of Kiewitt Pacific Company, a large international construction firm. Mr. Nyland and Mr. Happer had reviewed the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Yakima River Basin Storage Study.

Prior to the meeting with YBSA, Ron Reiland, a retired engineer and volunteer YBSA board member, visited the proposed Black Rock site and Priest Rapids Dam with Nyland and Happer. Chuck Nyland was one of the supervisors during the construction of the East Dam of Diamond Lake in Southern California in the 1990’s and both men expressed an interest in the Black Rock Dam Project. If the money was available for construction and being able to build a dam without getting their feet wet, they believed Black Rock could be completed in 3 years. Kiewitt certainly would partner with other companies because the size of the project merited diversification. They promised to review the BOR’s numbers and estimate the construction cost to build Black Rock.

Watershed Planning: The Federal Bureau of Reclamation and the State Department of Ecology are convening a work group to attempt to develop a comprehensive water resource plan for the Yakima River Basin. The Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement project (YRBWEP) 2009 work group will meet for the first time in June. YBSA applauds the effort and plans to participate.

See the YBSA website at www.ybsa.org.