YBSA Monthly Report
September, 2008

Marketing Campaign: Yakima Basin Storage Alliance has contracted with Enigma marketing to design a brochure and program explaining the real values of Black Rock for our future and for design of a booth for the Central Washington State Fair. The five key elements presented in the brochure are fish health, water storage, power generation, recreation and economic impact. See www.futureofourvalley.com.

Dr. Stanford Presentation: Dr. Jack Stanford, an exert on river ecology and restoration, presented his thoughts on how to restore 1 million salmon and steelhead in the Yakima River Basin. Dr. Stanford believes there is no better place in the lower 48 states to accomplish this goal.

Dr. Stanford Discussion with Basin Biologists: Dr. Stanford stated that the Kol River in Russia is similar in flows and floodplain area to the Yakima and produces 5-7 million salmonids/year with 30% harvest rates. The Yakima has all the elements needed to restore salmon; it just needs the water to reconnect. This project hasn’t been done: “Grand River Restoration:, the question is: how to get it completed. They have remote sensed 1200 rivers around the North Pacific rim: the Yakima River Basin comes out very high in intrinsic value and floodplain habitat. The Yakima is still #1 in the lower 48. The Yakima has been the most productive node in the Columbia Basin historically and still can be.

A representative from the Yakama Nation stated that Jack needs to see the Yakama Nation comments and that “The Yakima Nation still supports storage if all tools in the toolbox are used, and that passage at the upper reservoirs has to be foremost in any solution.” Dr. Stanford asked, “Are you keeping the lower river in view.”

Dr. Stanford said the model flipped in 1978 and just flipped again this year, which is good for the Pacific Northwest as currents & their nutrients will be more favorable. Don’t forget that climate change is logarithmic, minimum temps in winter are climbing, so restoration must keep climate change in mind. The salmon are fighting for survival against cultured fish escapees from Japan and Russia mostly pink and red.

Dr. Stanford’s comments in the afternoon public session were:

 Real salmon recovery has to start at the mouth of the Yakima River and continue to its headwaters.
 The Yakima River has the most potential for restoration but has water problems.
 Need Columbia River water to make the restoration of salmon runs in the Yakima River happen.
 One million fish can come back to the Yakima with the addition of more water and habitat and giving the fish the chance to come back (aka not harvesting them).
 The Yakima can be one of the major fish producers in the Northwest.
Just trade water from the Columbia River for water in the Yakima for irrigation purposes.
 The 3 main items that need to be done for fish are:
o Model the Yakima River on what can de done with more water for habitat.
o Diversify the stock, bring all the species back.
o Correct the method of catching salmon. It is impossible to select for specific stocks with gill nets, whereas other methods would allow you to release unwanted fish unharmed.
 Let the fish find their own way into spawning channels.
 You can restore Yakima fisheries without taking out mainstem dams, but it’s more difficult on the Snake River because the dams further upstream pose a problem to fish passage.
 More natural flow in the Yakima is much more favorable for native fish than hatchery fish.
 Non-native fish have proliferated under the regulated flows of the rivers.
 Restoring habitat with augmentation of water makes the million fish possible (along with the full gamut of restoration activities).
 Continuing with the status quo of salmon recovery sucks!

DVD copies of the presentation are available from Y-Pac at (509) 575-6092 for $20.00 each.

Kim McCartney, Yakima River Basin Storage Study Manager, Reported: The final EIS report will be completed by late December. The seepage report will be completed by the end of September and will include some mitigation procedures. The seepage report will be added to the final EIS. There will be a 45 day comment period after the final EIS is completed and then the Study will be presented to the Office of Management and Budget. After the review the BOR Regional Director (Boise) in conjunction with the Department of the Interior will make the final recommendations to Congress. A water report of when water is available from the Columbia River will be included.

See www.ybsa.org for more information.

YBSA Monthly Report
August, 2008

Draft Legislation: The Yakima Basin Storage Alliance developed a draft legislation package to start the process of describing how to restore the Yakima and Naches Rivers to a more natural state. The package includes additional water for fish passage, fish habitat and environmental restoration during drought years. It also provides a minimum of 70% water for proratable irrigation districts during dry years and water for municipal and industrial growth for the foreseeable future. No longer would we suffer through multiple drought years as predicted by experts studying the affects of climate change. YBSA would appreciate any and all suggestions to be include in the legislation package. For detailed information on the content of the draft package go to www.ybsa.org and click on the links on the bottom of the page. Your assistance would be appreciated so when the Storage Study is completed we will have a document that all our neighbors and interests can support to restore more water for all interests in the Yakima Basin.

Website: The following can be viewed on www.ybsa.org:
An Introductory Letter
The Executive Summary
Draft Legislation
Draft Financial Plan
Recreation Study
Power Generation Study
YBSA’s Benefit Package
Monthly Reports
Other Information

Salmon Recovery Conference: YBSA is planning for a Salmon Recovery conference in September. Dr. Jack Stanford, an expert in salmon recovery, will be the main speaker. Dr. Stanford is working on a project outside the United States and a date will be set when he returns. Dr. Stanford, author of the Reaches Project, has tremendous knowledge of the needs for salmon recovery in the Yakima River Basin.

BOR Report: Kim McCartney reported that the Storage Study team is completing the report answering the questions raised during the EIS process. The Seepage Report will be completed by the Bureau of Realcamtion by the end of August. It will include the modeling of ground water and mitigation features. The Department of Energy study on the groundwater at Hanford will not show mitigation and could be finished something in 2009. Any request for construction of a new storage facility will have to be made to the Department of Interior and Congress by petition.

Plans for Promotion: Plans are being developed to do a public relation promotion of the Environmental and Salmon Recovery program and a display for a booth at the Central Washington State Fair.

Presentations during August were made to the Benton County Commissioners and the Lower Yakima Valley Realtors.

Contact YBSA at yakimabasinstoragealliance@yahoo.com if you would like a presentation made to your organization.

YBSA Monthly Report
July, 2008

Dr. Jack Stanford International Salmon Restoration Expert: Charlie de La Chapelle and Ted Strong met with Jack Stanford and his associate to request he attend a conference in Yakima to present his recovery proposal for the Yakima River Basin. Jack again stated there is no better place in the lower 48 states than the Yakima for salmon recovery. He stated if we do it right, recovery of 1 million fish is possible. Jack stated that reach based recovery fails, you must integrate the parts starting from the mouth, and have the water volume to moderate temperatures. Jack who authored the “Reaches Study” for the Yakima River also suggested that an update on the Reaches Study maybe appropriate at this time. He likes the Osoyuse (sp) strain of sockeye, and thinks that if left alone, in 50 years the stocks from the Hanford Reach will repopulate the Yakima. “They are tough beasts.” He believes the Leopard frog is a good indicator species for salmon recovery, you recover the habitat for them then you will be able to support large numbers of fish.

There are 3 rivers in the lower 48 that interest Jack: Klamath, Umqua, and the Yakima. He believes the others south of the Frasier are too difficult to restore.

Meeting with Roza: YBSA met with the Roza Irrigation District Board to explain proposed legislation for environmental and salmon recovery. It includes a guarantee of 70% minimum water supply for all proratable districts during drought years. The draft business plan for the legislation includes that the proratable irrigation districts are levied a fee of $18/ac based on the BOR study which found 4.2 million in benefits to agriculture, and agriculture can not be made to pay more than the amount by which it is expected to benefit.

Yakima County Commissioner Mike Leita said that there was no more important issue for the Yakima Basin’s future than water for our basin and how well we handle it will dictate the next 100 years. The county wants to facilitate the best decision possible. He added that the Umatilla River which once was dry was a great example. Once the Tribes, irrigators and businessmen agreed to the solution of the water exchange program with the Columbia River; the politicians delivered it. The board was interested to know what the Yakama Nation thought of our draft legislation. YBSA had yet to hear from them

Rick Valicoff, Roza chair said there were many ongoing processes going on and that Roza would wait to see how things turned out before they commit to a project..

Columbia Snake River Irrigators Association Meeting: YBSA was invited and included in the program of the Columbia Snake River Irrigators Association Annual Business meeting. Special guests at the meeting were State Representative Bill Gant, House Speaker Frank Chopp and Ecology Director Jay Manning. YBSA presented a proposed financial business plan which included a total cost of all construction work for Black Rock Reservoir and Conveyance Systems of $2,253,409,200 and miscellaneous expenses of $2,246,590,800 for a total cost to complete the project of $4.5 billion. (These numbers can be found in the Bureau of Reclamation Storage Study.)

The proposed funding options include Federal, State, local shares with the Federal share of 65% based upon the ratio agreed to in the Title XII legislation. The Title XII program was developed to improve conservation and provide more water for instream flow and fish. The Black Rock Project would provide about 600-800 thousand a/f annually for instream flow. Power for pumping 600,000 a/f annually was estimated at $50 million with maintenance costs estimated $10 million (Bureau numbers). Funding for pumping and operating costs was dived among BPA, power generation revenue and others.

All the Legislators present were very interested in the project and ask to be included in the development of the proposal including the financial package.

Executive Summary: The Executive Summary of the proposed Yakima River Basin Environmental and Salmon Restoration Act will be available shortly. Check YBSA’s website www.ybsa.org.

Scoping Meeting: YBSA members attended the Department of Ecology scoping meeting. The State is exploring options to acquire more water and fish in the Yakima Basin. Their EIS will go beyond the options found in the BOR’s Storage Study. YBSA suggested the DOE review all studies that have been completed over the years, to consider climate change and include salmon recovery values in their development of the EIS.

County Commissioners: YBSA discussed with the Kittitas Commissioners the timeline remaining for completion of the Yakima River Basin Storage Study and the value of a large volume of water that would become available with Black Rock Reservoir operational. We provided a copy of the Executive Summary of the Environmental and Salmon Recovery Act to the commissioners for their perusal. In addition the commission was interested in the changes that would occur in the volume of water in the existing reservoirs, the effects on ground water, the guaranteed 70% minimum water for proratable irrigation districts, additional fish runs, fish passage over existing reservoirs and the economic value of this project to Kittitas County.

Meeting with Candidates: Sid Morrison met with the legislature and county commissioner candidates and provided them with an update on the need for additional water in the basin and the benefits Black Rock would provide. He also met with Suncadia’s new manager to enhance his understanding of the environmental and salmon recovery project that would be accomplished with more water available for instream flow..

Information Dissemination: The YBSA Executive committee has been formulating a process to better inform our elected officials and the people who reside in the Yakima River Basin about the development of the Environmental and Salmon Recovery Act and the need for more water in the Yakima Basin. The concerns raised are Black Rock is too expensive, seepage from Black Rock will accelerate pollution of the Columbia River, we don’t need storage just conservation, water marketing will solve the problem and Black Rock won’t help fish we just need more habitat. YBSA will answer those questions. A comprehensive long term plan for the Yakima Basin has to include a large volume of water.

YBSA Monthly Report
June, 2008

Proposed Legislation Review: Yakima Basin Storage Alliance Executive Committee met numerous times to discuss legislation for restoration of the Yakima River Basin. YBSA is continuing to refine the language in the Yakima Basin Environmental and Salmon Restoration Act. The Act will identify what is necessary to make the Yakima Basin the most productive region for salmon recovery in the Northwest. Titles I, II, & II of the act includes:

Title I. BLACK ROCK WATER EXCHANGE PROJECT

Section 101. Purpose and Authorization
(a) Purpose. Title 1 of this Act is for the purpose of (1) improving the Yakima Project water supply for the benefit of (A) the anadromous fishery of the Yakima and Columbia River basins (including current endangered and threatened species) by means of stream flow enhancement in the mainstem Yakima and Naches Rivers of the Yakima basin, (B) improving the reliability of the Yakima Project irrigation water supply for junior water rights in dry years when water deficiencies occur, and (C) providing a surface water supply from the Yakima Project to meet future municipal water needs; and (2) providing future recreation and hydropower generation opportunities.
(b) Authorization of a Black Rock Water Exchange Project
(c) Recreation
(d) Hydropower Pump-Generation
(e) Integration with and be a Division of the Existing Yakima Project

Section 102. Water Exchange with the Roza Division and the Sunnyside Division
(a) Columbia River Water Withdrawal
(b) Delivery of Exchange Water
(c) Dry-Year Irrigation Water Supply
(d) Water Rights

Section 103. Conjunctive Operation of the Yakima Project
(a) Integrated Project Operation and Maintenance
(b) Tri-Party Ecosystem Operation Group
(c) Dry-Year Irrigation Water Supply
(d) Municipal Water Supply
(e) Pumping Power and Hydropower Generation

Title II. ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION

Section 201. Purpose and Authorization
(a) Purpose. Title II of this Act is for the purpose of re-establishing ecosystem functions in the Yakima basin to biologically sustain the life stages of anadromous fishery by a comprehensive habitat restoration program in the mainstream floodplains of the Yakima and Naches Rivers and in the tributaries. This involves the participation of the Yakama Nation, local, state, federal entities and agencies, and qualified private groups, and the use of federal and non-federal funds to investigate and implement measures. The focus of this cooperative undertaking is (1) acquisition of lands and physical alterations in the major floodplain areas to address constraints which have adversely affected the hydrologic connectivity of these floodplains and the mainstem rivers, and (2) streamflow improvements and riparian habitat restoration measures in the Yakima basin tributaries.
(b) Authorization
(c) Mainstem Yakima and Naches Rivers Floodplain Areas
(d) Yakima Basin Tributaries

Section 202. Fish Passage at Yakima Project Storage Dams

Title III. Funding Plan

Project costs for construction and funding options along with operating costs and funding operating costs are still being developed and refined.

Study on Ground Water: Department of Interior, US Geological Survey representative John Vaccaro presented a report on the study of ground water in the Yakima Basin. The report was prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Yakama Nation and the Department of Ecology. Points that were made included:
 Yakima Basin is the most complicate basin in the State to study ground water.
 62,000 square miles in the Yakima Basin.
 40,000 ground water wells in the basin most are located in Yakima County.
 500,000 acre-feet of water is authorized to be pumped from the ground.
 Ground water recharge occurs quickly during irrigation season in the shallow wells.
 The more headwater flows in the river the cooler the temperature of the water is maintained.
 Water is coming of early and there is a decrease in the flows in March, April, and May when people are permitted to draw water for irrigation.

Go to http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5007// for the complete report.

YBSA Monthly Report
May, 2008

Meeting with State Representatives: YBSA met with State Representatives Chandler & Newhouse to provide them with an update on the Storage Study. Our Representatives supported the idea of preparing legislation to provide more water for the Yakima River Basin and to restore the environment and salmon runs. Representative Chandler will review the history of BOR project funding and provide YBSA information on different State funding options. Agriculture will not pay more than what they get in benefit. YBSA is proceeding with the Yakima River Basin Environmental & Salmon Restoration Act.

BOR Report: Kim McCartney, Manager of the Yakima River Basin Storage Study, reported:
 Normative river has many definitions depending on the needs of the program to address a specific problem.
 All the fish biologists met and determined the need for water in each reach – needed more water.
 The Storage Study shows that all the target flows in the Columbia River can be met and still provide water for Black Rock even during water short years.
 Bumping Lake and Wymer were reviewed thoroughly and the conclusion will be included in the report with the EIS comments.
 The Bureau of Reclamation may have to do a supplemental EIS to answer the seepage question. A mitigation report on seepage will be available in August or September, 2008.
 The Study team will again look at the value of fish non-use based upon EIS comments concerning the amount of money spent on Salmon Recovery.
 The questions and some answers on the EIS comments will be posted on the BOR website.

Yakama Nation Meeting: YBSA scheduled a meeting with the Yakama Nation Tribal Council and Committees. Very few Yakima Nation members attended the luncheon. Sid opened the discussion stating we were there to work together as neighbors to solve the ongoing water needs in the Yakima Basin for fish, agriculture and municipal use. The staff from the Nation indicated they were tired of hearing about Black Rock and would like to continue the study of Bumping Lake and Wymer. Charlie stated YBSA will proceed with preparing legislation which would start the restoration of the environment and salmon in the Yakima Basin.

See Attachment of proposed legislation.

Professional Review: The YBSA Board authorized the development of a professional review of the hydrology and seepage around Black Rock Reservoir.

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.

YBSA Monthly Report
March, 2008

Weekly Meetings: Yakima Basin Storage Alliance Executive Committee met weekly to develop a process to respond to the Yakima River Basin Storage Study Draft Planning Report/EIS.

Benefits: YBSA reviewed the Planning Report and found a tremendous number of benefits either left out or downsized to meet the Principle and Guidelines (P & G) that were followed by the Bureau. We prepared a response identifying the items omitted and how the benefits to the Yakima River Basin and the Regional Economic Development (RED) account would exceed the required value to justify the Black Rock alternative as the preferred solution. (see www.ybsa.org) We urged all interests to send their comments to the Bureau of Reclamation prior to the March 31st deadline.

Meeting with Military: YBSA met with Yakima Training Center Commander Colonel Pullar and others to discuss the Black Rock project. YBSA felt it was necessary to talk with Colonel Pullar about the proposed operation of the reservoir. The location of Black Rock probably would not create an undue hardship on the training center.

Meeting About Need for Water: At the Columbia River Policy Advisory Group meeting Mike Lester, Yakima County Commissioner, pointed out the following:
 Drought is now a frequent event in the Yakima Basin
 Structures built 50 years ago are insufficient for current problems.
 We need to address both growth and protection of endangered species which require water.
 There are permanent crops in the Yakima Basin (orchards, vineyards, hops) that cannot survive without annual water.
 The Yakima Basin is on the verge of failing. We need more than a 5-10 year solution.
Discussion and presentations followed on what can be done with the drawdown of Lake Roosevelt behind Grand Coulee Dam.

Benefits for Fish: The consultants hired by the Bureau of Reclamation reviewed the benefits for fish in the Yakima Basin for the three alternatives: Black Rock, Wymer, and Wymer+. The Storage Study fisheries D EIS modeling results for each species showed Black Rock alternative created the greatest benefit for salmon recovery.

A Healthy Run for Fish: YBSA attended the Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Program on some of the habitat restoration projects going on and what that means in terms of improving the overall health of the Yakima River. The program started with an excellent presentation of “History and Condition of the Yakima River” by Dr. Morris Uebelacker, a geography professor at Central Washington University. A question from the audience provided an opportunity for YBSA to share some of the benefits Black Rock would provide for salmon recovery by freeing up more than 400,000 a/f of water to rewater the six reaches identified in the “Reaches Report” by Jack Stanford.

Status of Seepage Report: The status of the Hanford Reservation’s seepage report was discussed with Woody Russell, Environmental Compliance Officer for the Department of Energy at Hanford. It appears the report will not be completed until this winter.

Presentations: The following is a list of presentations made during the month of March.
 Tri-City Homebuilders in the Tri-Cities
 Colonel Pullar, commander, Yakima Training Center
 Columbia River Policy Advisory Group in Ellensburg
 Tri-City Realtors Association breakfast meeting in Kennewick
 Bureau of Reclamation Storage Study Fisheries D EIS results report in Yakima
 Association of Engineers in Yakima
 Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board in Ellensburg

YBSA Board Meeting at 5:30 pm, April 7th at New Vision in Yakima.

Check www.ybsa.org for further information

YBSA Monthly Report
February, 2008

Realtors: The Washington State Realtors Association along with contributions from Yakima, Lower Yakima Valley, and the Tri-Cities contributed $55,000 to YBSA to promote Black Rock Reservoir. The realtors believe Black Rock will have a high impact on the “Quality of Life” in the Yakima Basin and the State of Washington. A press conference was held Feb 7th when the presentation was made. See www.ybsa.org.

The BOR reported: Kim McCartney, BOR, reported the Draft PR/EIS of the Storage Study is available and he distributed copies of the Executive Summary. The draft can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/storage_study. After a 60 day comment period the BOR will compile all comments, including those from the 4 public hearings, then the Bureau will answer the questions raised and forward the report with answers to the Department of Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency for review and comments.

The EPA will place the report in the Federal Register for a 30 day comment period. The Record of Decision will be made by the Department of Interior.

The Department of Energy is doing a study on the possible effects ground water from Black Rock will have on Hanford. The DOE will study the information based on the Bureau’s seepage study and when the study is released at the end of March it will include a mitigation program.

Olympia Trip: YBSA traveled to Olympia on Feb 12th & 13th and met with Governor Gregoire, members of the Legislature, and the State Labor Council. The value of the Black Rock Project was discussed. Everyone was surprised that the study did not make an effort to include benefits to the State of Washington and the Yakima Basin.

With hundreds of millions of dollars spent annually on fish, the study did not include that as a benefit. The study also narrowed down the benefits that would be derived from agriculture and recreation by not including the value to the region with a consistent supply of water. Also we discussed the possible seepage problem. The Bureau as indicated the seepage can be mitigated and the Department of Energy Study of Ground Water Movement would be finished at the end of March. The report will include a mitigation program.

The Governor and the Legislature were surprised the study did not take into consideration the effects of how climate change can effect the water availability for fish, agriculture and municipal use. The State of Washington is taking climate change seriously and during the Legislative session are making plans to help address the problem.

Jack Stanford: Jack likes the Yakima River for salmon recovery because not many structures need to be removed, and flood plains are still largely available as habitat. Warm water temperature is a problem and rearing flows are too small to access side channel habitat with the water available currently. He said the Yakima Basin was a “fish factory”. Jack has already done some analysis of the Yakima Basin and concluded the potential is high for Chinook, Steelhead, Coho, Sockeye, and Bull Trout. He believes the Yakima is the only place he knows of that has a chance to significantly restore salmon. The Yakima River, in his book: The Rivers of North America and in Jacks “Reaches Report”, describes the potential for large increases of salmon returns to the Basin.

Meetings and Hearings: Board members attended the public hearing on the Storage Study’s EIS process. Many people who attended the Bureau of Reclamation’s Public Hearings on the Storage Study spoke in favor of the Black Rock Project. A meeting was held with groups in the Tri-Cities to discuss the EIS process. A presentation was made to the Kiwanis in Yakima and a question and answer program was aired on KIT Radio.

See www.ybsa.org

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.

YBSA Monthly Report
December, 2007

Landowners Meeting: YBSA held a landowners meeting to discuss with the residents and property owners the need for Black Rock and to answer questions. Benton County Commissioner Max Benitz provided the introduction and explained the need for additional water in the Yakima Basin. He stated at the present time we don’t have enough water in the Basin for fish and people. Yakima County Commissioner Ron Gamache stated the importance of Black Rock goes beyond fish and irrigation; it’s also a quality of life project.

Tom Carpenter, YBSA Board Member, explained YBSA’s broad base of support for Black Rock. He stated Black Rock is a multi-interest, multi-benefit project which will provide the needed water for generations.

Bob Hall, YBSA Finance Chairman, said, Black Rock will solve the water problems and YBSA will work with everyone to address their needs.

Questions: Twelve property owners attended the meeting. Others who couldn’t attend requested a copy of the minutes.

The following were questions brought up at the meeting.

Will the water be able to be used to irrigate outside irrigation districts boundries?
No this water is to be used to guarantee at least 70% of the water needed in proratable districts.

Will seepage be available for use?
Probably, it can be considered return flow and be treated in the same manner.

What will be the cost of the water?
That number has not been determined by the BOR. At present costs Irrigation Districts pay a portion of the maintenance and operation.

What about water level fluctuation in Black Rock?
There is water available in the Columbia River for short periods of time throughout the year that can be pumped to keep the reservoir as full as possible.

What about erosion in and around the lake?
That will be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement.

What will the cost of pumping be?
Pumping costs will vary based on the time of day and the time of year. Also, electricity will be generated by this project that could be used to offset the cost of pumping.

What about the purchase of property?
The Federal guidelines require negotiations and the County Commissioners present stated there will be no condemnation of property.

Where will Highway 24 be located?
No determination has been made, but the north side of the lake is much leveler and will have more frost and ice free days and be safer.

BOR Report: Kim reported the Storage Study Team is still working on the Report for NEPA and SEPA. The public draft will be printed and ready at the end of January, 2008. There will be a public review period for 60 days. During that time there will be a 1 hour open house prior to the hearings in both the Tri-Cities and Yakima. Oral and written testimony can be presented at that time.

Climate Change: The Study Team believes there are a lot of discrepancies among reports on climate change. Because of that conclusion the team feels they don’t have enough information to make a model to deal with water availability due to climate change.

Fish: The following fish will be presented in the Storage Study: Spring Chinook, Fall Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead.

Jack Stanford, Director of the Flathead Lake Biological Station: Jack Stanford is very interested in the improvement the Black Rock project would make for fish in the Yakima River. He will meet with YBSA and others within the next month. The BOR included information in Jack Stanford’s “Reaches Report” in their Storage Study.

Yakama Nation: The Yakama Nation is interested in the benefits of Black Rock. YBSA will request meetings with the Yakama Nation’s leadership and committees to ask for their input into what needs to be done in the Yakima Basin to restore salmon runs and provide water for out of stream use.

YBSA Investors: Letters to investors were mailed asking for a pledge for the next 24 months. The revenue would provide YBSA with funding necessary to attempt to secure funding for the Black Rock Project in 2009. All 3 counties and every city in the Yakima Basin were asked to participate. Board members will do a follow-up by phone.

Executive Committee: The Executive Committee met numerous times to plan a response to the seepage report. The seepage can be considered return flow and would be beneficial to both industrial and agricultural interests. YBSA will continue to seek interested parties who could use the seepage water.

At a meeting with Gerry Kelso, BOR manager, he stated the Bureau will plan to control the seepage, but it will take money. Seepage is estimated to be about 25,000 acre/feet or 22 CFS. They will determine how big a well will be needed to intercept the water. The EIS will include a report on seepage and mitigation costs. The EIS report will use what habitat exists at the present time to determine the number of fish that will return to the Yakima River. YBSA agrees with the Jack Stanford’s “Reaches Report”, that improvements in the habitat will increase the number of fish 6-10 times the number estimated by the Storage Study.

Columbia River Policy Advisory Group: Department of Ecology is finalizing their Legislative report. It will appear on their website by the end of the month.

A panel discussed the demand for additional water in the Columbia River
– operational supply and climate change
– what is the water from “Crab Creek” to be used for
– we need new water to fill the gaps
– how do we meet the Yakama Nation’s demand and who pays for the water
– we need to do both storage and instream flow including improving habitat at the same time

The proposed drawdown of Lake Roosevelt would make more than 130,000 a/f available if needed. 82,500 a/f would be used annually for instream flow, to provide surface water for the Odessa Aquifer, and municipal use.

An idea was presented by Grant PUD that would increase the level of water in the Wanapum Reservoir by 3½ feet which could provide approximately 70,000 a/f of additional storage.

See www.ybsa.org for more information.

Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. Think Big