YBSA Monthly Report
December, 2006

Meeting with BOR: YBSA met with the BOR to review and comment on the Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study Plan Formulation Phase. BOR and DOE will decide how to proceed with the Storage Study based on comments made at the meetings. The following concerns were expressed by YBSA.

Feasibility Study Stakeholder Meetings December 2006: The Plan Formulation Report does not present the Black Rock alternative in its best light. This is true in terms of meeting study objectives, operational assumptions/criteria, costs and benefits.

Study Assumptions and criteria do not show the true potential of Black Rock for hydrologic/fisheries benefits. The way that the study is set up, Black Rock is essentially a victim of “lowest common denominator” constrained by the limitations (minimum flow criteria) of the Wymer+ alternative.

With its far larger storage, Black Rock could provide more improvements to instream flow than shown in the current analysis. Black Rock takes no water from the Yakima River system: it offers the opportunity to add water to improve fishery conditions.

Black Rock could also provide significant benefits in meeting objectives for lowering stream temperature.

Members of the Alliance indicated that they believed habitat restoration should be looked at and the Black Rock project offers far greater opportunity for such restoration than any other alternative.

Has the influence of projected climate change been considered in the needs and operations analysis? If not, will this factor be included in the next phase of study? [Reclamation responded that climate change has not been factored in at this point, but would be considered in the Feasibility Study analysis].

Black Rock cost assumptions can be improved: additional information will be made available by the YBSA.

The “lost hydropower” cost shown in Reclamation’s analysis is questionable. The Alliance is exploring potential for Black Rock to be operated for pump storage power benefits as well as meeting Storage Study goals. These benefits could more than offset the lost hydropower cost.

It is also relevant that regional economic benefits are not part of this federal-level analysis; these benefits could significantly change the benefit/cost picture for Black Rock. [Reclamation confirmed that regional economic benefits will be considered during the Feasibility Study].

In the next round of analysis, Black Rock needs to be studied from the perspective of exploring the maximum potential of each to achieve Study goals.

Meeting with Northwest Power and Conservation Council: YBSA presented information on the progress of the Black Rock Study to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council in Portland. A PowerPoint presentation “Someone to Carry Water” by Ted and Theo Strong explained Black Rock would enable the Yakima River to flow more freely and normally and create a hydrologic connection between the river and the flood plains. Anadromous fish are the biggest beneficiary of Black Rock and its ability to support a goal of unregulated flow in the Yakima River providing wetland storation, floodplain connectivity to the river, and habitat complexity.

Water Exchange Project: Black Rock is a water exchange project where each bucket of water taken from the Columbia River will be returned to the Columbia with fish. The project will also provide power generation and recreation without any reduction in water quantity.

Attended the Columbia River Enhancement Program: Department of Ecology is the lead agency and is developing guidelines for conservation projects which would meet the requirement set by the Washington State Legislature.

Meetings to Present Information: YBSA Executive Committee has held a number of meetings to decide how to present the information the Power and Recreation Studies will provide on the value the Black Rock Project will have on the Yakima River Basin and the State’s economy.

Meeting with Kennewick Irrigation District: A project update was presented to the Kennewick Irrigation District’s Board of Directors. Discussions of the value of the Kennewick Pumping Project and the Black Rock Project will have on the Yakima Basin and fish passage.

YBSA Monthly Report
November, 2006

The Planned Formulation Phase of the Yakima Basin Storage Study: Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) promised YBSA that the report on the Preferred Alternatives of the Yakima Basin Storage Study would be available November 14. Once again BOR is late and the report still is not available at the end of November. Every deadline the BOR has set since the start of the study has been late and the cost of the study continues to escalate. YBSA continues to try to put together a work plan for the next two years, but the delayed Preferred Alternatives report makes it difficult to complete our planning process. The BOR has stated the Yakima Basin Storage Study (Black Rock) feasibility report and Environmental Review will be completed by December, 2008. Washington State Department of Ecology has assured YBSA that they believe the BOR will meet the completion date.

YBSA Board Meeting: The YBSA Board of Directors met to plan the 2007 budget and work plan. Concerns were raised about the State’s Columbia River Initiatives, how it will affect the completion of the Black Rock Study and the Black Rock Project. Without the completed preferred alternative report planning has been postponed until December.

Meeting with Department of Energy: Members of YBSA scheduled a meeting with the Department of Energy Director Jay Manning and Derek Sandison our Regional Director. Jay couldn’t attend the meeting but called from somewhere in the Columbia Basin. YBSA expressed our concerns about all the publicity for the Columbia Basin Project being in the forefront with what appears to be little support for Black Rock. Also, our concerns that Black Rock could be delayed for years while we wait for even more studies of other alternatives. The Yakima Basin is in need of additional storage to meet the needs of fish, cool clean water, municipal growth, and agriculture and Black Rock will provide those benefits. Director Manning assured us the State is continuing its support for completion of the Yakima Basin Storage Study (Black Rock) and will continue to push the BOR to meet its stated completion date of December, 2008

Meeting with Port of Sunnyside: YBSA met at the Port of Sunnyside with our consulting firm doing the Recreation and Economic Study of property around Black Rock Reservoir. We discussed the importance of recreation and development showing both short and long term values.

Contributions to YBSA: Port of Sunnyside, Benton County and Yakima County each have contributed $25,000 to the study. Phase one of the report will be available by December 11 and the completed study by the end of December.

Energy Nothwest’s Report: The first draft of Energy Northwest’s Review of Black Rock Power Costs and Benefits is available and the final report is due shortly.

Other Meetings: Meeting with and reports were given to the Port of Benton, City of Yakima Economic Development Committee, Kennewick Irrigation District, Sunnyside Rotary (See Attachment), and a request for funding to the Yakima City Council was presented by Sid Morrision.

THE BOR JUST INFORMED YBSA THAT THEIR MEETING WITH YBSA TO REVIEW THE REPORT ON THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE WILL BE DECEMBER 7 AT 2:00 PM AT THE BOR OFFICE.

THE BOR HAS DELIVERED COPIES OF THE STUDY DEFINING THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVES WEDNESDAY EVENING AND WILL BE SENDING OUT A PRESS RELEASE THURSDAY MORNING ANNOUNCING THE REPORT.

YBSA Monthly Report
October, 2006

Recreation and Energy Study: The Recreation and Economic Development Analysis of lands around the proposed Black Rock Reservoir is progressing. A concept plan and a market/financial/economic analysis will be ready to be submitted to the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in November. The Analysis is very important to show the additional value Black Rock will be to the Yakima Basin. A special thank you goes out to the Port of Sunnyside and Amber Hansen for their leadership in development of the study.
Also a power and energy study is being performed by Energy Northwest to identify the increasing range of power generation options. The availability of power generation from Black Rock Reservoir provides another valuable asset and could offset the pumping costs. YBSA is seeking additional funding to pay for these important studies.

BOR Meeting: YBSA met with the BOR and were informed by Gerry Kelso, regional director of the Yakima office, that the geology is sound and a safe dam can be constructed at the site. YBSA will meet with the BOR on November 14 for a report which will identify the preferred alternatives to be carried forward for the Feasibility Study and the Environmental Review.

Tri-Cities Meeting: Members of the YBSA Board from the Yakima area met with our board members from the Tri-Cities. Sid and Charlie provided a recap of the Black Rock Study, the State of Washington’s Columbia River Storage proposal, and the Roundtable on Salmon Restoration. Bob discussed a proposed meeting with Tri-Dec and New Vision to review the value Black Rock is to the Yakima Basin. It was also pointed out that the BOR guidelines to build a project have not been met since President Carter’s administration, but many projects have been completed. Thanks Marty for organizing the meeting.

Planned Meeting: Meetings have been arranged with Jay Manning, Director of DOE; the Kennewick Irrigation District; and the Bureau of Reclamation. Requests have been made to American Rivers, the State Environmental Council and others to discuss the development of a package that will provide the best use of the additional water that will be available in the Yakima Basin when Black Rock Reservoir is operational.

The Value of Black Rock: YBSA met with the new director of the Department of the Interior Dirk Hinthorne. We were able to provide him with information on the Development of the Black Rock Study and how important Black Rock will be to the environment, fish and economic value of the Yakima Basin, the Columbia River, and the Pacific Northwest.
Black Rock Reservoir is a multi-use, multi-benefit package. The benefits go beyond water for fish, instream flow, and the environment. The economic future of the Yakima Basin depends on additional water and Black Rock will help provide that water.
YBSA is expanding our goals to include other interests and to work with other groups to get the job done. We need a united effort to complete the Black Rock Project.

YBSA Monthly Report
September, 2006

Executive Committee: The executive committee met and discussed the successful Roundtable for Salmon Restoration, holding another Roundtable on Engineering and Conservation issues in the Tri-Cities, and the material and operation of the YBSA booth at the Central Washington State Fair.

Recreation Study and Questionnaire: The Recreation Study is progressing nicely and the consultant provided us with a collage of pictures of recreation activities around a map of Black Rock Reservoir for the Fair. A questionnaire is being completed by fairgoers to show the need for water type recreation development in the Yakima Basin.

Fair Information: Information available at the Fair include Black Rock Project Overview; Project Details and Other Items of Interest in Black Rock’s size, structure, and purpose; Benefits of the project; and a petition requesting the Bureau of Reclamation continue and expedite the completion of the Storage Study for the Yakima Basin

9/21/06
YBSA meeting with BOR office in Yakima
Sid, Charlie, Jerry, Kim and Norbert

The BOR is investigating Wymer at the request of fisheries interests, Department of Ecology and Irrigation districts. They think that in average years 90k could be stored there after being released from the upper reservoirs. That water would then be available in peak summer months to be released in summer for irrigation supplies. They are also investigating a pump back solution from the mouth of the Yakima at the Columbia River back up to the Roza and SVID near Konnowac Pass; they estimate 600 cfs additional irrigation in the dry years, 1200 cfs in the wet ones

Sid informed the Bureau that our recreational study is proceeding with a questionnaire which will be used in the fair booth this year. And that we have initiated a study of the energy storage feasibility concept and that Energy North West will document this and we would like to have it included in their report

They said they received a letter from the irrigation districts which requested no alternative be removed just because it did not satisfy all the criteria as required in the Federal Legislation authorizing the study. Jerry said the Secretary has instructed the BOR not to investigate those projects that do not yield a positive cost benefit ratio.

Jerry confirmed that no irrigation project had made it through P&G’s Cost/Benefit Ratio since the Carter years, even though many had been built. The difference was that those that were built garnered enough local support to pass Congress. He also said that municipal projects did not have to go through a cost benefit analysis.

Jerry said that the Kennewick pump exchange report is progressing and will be out soon. The benefit to fish will be difficult to assess and that they will have some EDT model numbers out for it in February. Fish benefits will be justified with text.

We discussed the WSJ article from the front page of the Tuesday edition which featured the lack of success in recovering Salmon in the Columbia even though $9 Billion has been spent. Obviously there are national concerns over the ineffective expenditures to recover Salmon. We also discussed the USGS ground water report that was reported in the Yakima Herald on Monday that stated that the ground water use had grown considerably to approximately 400,000 ac-ft. Jerry speculated that ground water adjudication was going to happen to the Yakima Basin soon. Charlie thought Black Rock will go much further to alleviate this problem that any other solution, and the withdrawal of ground water is a measure of how much in deficit our surface water supplies are.

YBSA Monthly Report
August, 2006

The Roundtable on Salmon Restoration: The Roundtable on Salmon Restoration was a huge success thanks to Ted Strong. Phil Rigdon explained the need for a package of improvements to the Yakima Basin which would provide benefits to all resources instream and out. Those improvements included passage to those areas above existing storage reservoirs, more and better access to tributaries of the Yakima and Naches Rivers, and better access to side channels and the flood plain. The improvements along with increased flows in the Yakima River are necessary to benefit anadromos fish. Also, any new storage should include a specific allocation of water for fish management. Others emphasized Yakima Basin need to join together, meet and talk to each other and include all interested parties in those discussions.

Each year the snow pack has receded and will continue to over the next few decades according to the Climate Impacts Group of the University of Washington. The Yakima Basin will continue to have moisture mostly from rain. With more rain and less snowfall less water will be available from snow pack in the Cascades.

Other topics addressed included state water and salmon policy, employment opportunities in habitat restoration, endangered species, conservation, impacts on farming, ecosystem planning and the ecological health of the Yakima River.

The success of the Umatilla Project, which is a water exchange program between the Columbia and Umatilla River, was presented. When one bucket of water is taken from the Columbia River for out of stream use one bucket is returned to the Columbia from the Umatilla River. For nearly seventy years salmon were not present in the Umatilla River and now enough salmon have returned to provide fishing for both Indian and non-Indian fishers.

It was also suggested YBSA share our program beyond the Yakima Basin. The Black Rock Reservoir and other improvements could be used as a model for others.

Both Y-PAC TV and TVW recorded the conference. Y-PAC has shown the program numerous times and TVW’s program has been seen throughout the State of Washington on cable TV. The TV coverage created an awareness of how salmon recovery could occur in the Yakima Basin.

YBSA signed a contract with the Mitchell Nelson Group, LLC to perform a study on recreation and economic development analysis of lands around the proposed Black Rock Reservoir. The study will be completed in three phases: phase one, concept plan to be completed by September 15, 2006; phase two, market/financial/economic analyses to be completed by October 30, 2006; and phase three, master plan to be completed by December 30, 2006. The study is needed to show the benefits that could be derived from a body of water that was located at the Black Rock site. Information from the YBSA’s recreation study will be included in the Recreation Demand and User Preference Analysis being prepared by the BOR. The Recreation Demand and User Preference Analysis will be part of the Black Rock Study and used to develop the cost/benefit ratio of Black Rock.

Special thanks to the Port of Sunnyside for assisting in the financing, preparing the request for proposal, and organizing and hosting the meeting to interview and choose the consulting firm.

Information is also being gathered on the value of Black Rock as a power storage battery. The program would be to pump water from Priest Rapids to the Black Rock site. This would occur when there is an excess of electrical power. Water would be returned to the Columbia River to generate electricity when there is a shortage and need for additional electricity.

YBSA met with the BOR on August 7 for a report on the additional drilling that was completed around the Black Rock Dam site. The results showed there is not an unstable site for a dam. Construction of a dam at the site is OK and there should be no seepage along the abutment. Additional information on seepage will be provided by the Pacific Northwest Lab at Hanford. BOR also stated that Black Rock could provide 800,000 acre/feet for stream flow and Wymer would only hold 175,000 acre/feet.

YBSA organized a meeting with our consulting firm Mitchell Nelson Group, LLC and the firm the Bureau of Reclamation has employed to do the Recreation Demand and User Preference Analysis for the Black Rock study. The analysis being done by Mitchell Nelson will go beyond the survey done by the BOR and include the economic value and a conceptual development plan of potential development around the proposed Black Rock Reservoir. The BOR report will have gathered existing information from five rivers and seven reservoirs in the Yakima Basin and include it in the recreation report which should be completed by the end of September.

YBSA Executive and Finance Committees met and discussed the operation of the Central Washington Fair Booth. Volunteers will be needed in the booth to answer questions on the progress of the Black Rock Study.

YBSA has DVDs which were produced by Y-PAC of the Roundtable on Salmon Restoration. Please call 509-854-1941 or email klarichcj@charter.net if you’re interested in borrowing the DVDs.

Below is a link to some videos of the Roundtable on Salmon Recovery.
http://www.tvw.org/search/siteSearch.cfm?keywords=Yakima%20Basin%20Storage

YBSA Monthly Report
July, 2006

Recreation Study Proposals: YBSA along with the Port of Sunnyside, Benton and Yakima Counties are in the process of choosing a consultant to perform a recreation and economic development analysis of lands around the proposed Black Rock Reservoir. The committee will meet Wednesday, August 2nd to review proposals and rank those proposals 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with the first choice invited for an interview.

Salmon Roundtable: The Yakima Basin Storage Alliance is sponsoring a roundtable on salmon restoration August 15-16 at the Yakima Sun Dome.

Hosted by local businesses, this roundtable is in an opportunity for tribal leaders, growers, natural resources managers, recreationists, environmental policy makers and directors, government agencies, and others to hear about and discuss issues that directly affect the ecological health of the Yakima River Basin, fish and wildlife, farming, community life, water rights and management and related topics.

Additional information on the Roundtable will be distributed soon. Please mark your calendar and attend the conference.

Rosa Sunnyside Joint Board: Sid Morrison and Charlie de la Chapelle were invited to present an update on the progress of the Feasibility Study on Black Rock Reservoir. It was emphasized that there were no fatal flaws found during the recent drilling. The preferred alternatives will be announced in November, 2006 and carried forward to the completion of the study. The environmental review and study will be completed December, 2008. It was also pointed out how important recreations, fish, and power generation is to the cost/benefit ratio that will be developed for the study.

Representative Dan Newhouse pointed out to the Rosa-Sunnyside Joint Board that the people of the Yakima Basin need to speak with one voice to make the Black Rock project happen.

DOE/Storage Study: YBSA discussed with Derek Sandison the progress of the storage study. He indicated that direct pump on demand cannot be done under current rules. The DOE will request that $3.1 million be put in their budget to cover the State’s share of the cost to complete the study. The State plans to hold the BOR to their schedule which is to choose the preferred alternatives by November, 2006 and complete the study in December, 2008.

Presentations: YBSA continues to perform the public relation part of the storage study making presentations to various groups about the real value of the Black Rock Project.

YBSA Monthly Report
June, 2006

Salmon Restoration Roundtable August 16 & 17: YBSA continues to draw together speakers who will present the importance of Salmon recovery to the Pacific Northwest. Instream flow increases created when the big Black Rock Reservoir becomes operational will create a “homerun for fish in the Yakima Basin” as stated by Jeff Thayer, head of the Yakima office of the State Department of Fish and Game. Speakers representing government, Indian Tribes, and representatives of salmon recovery organizations will speak at the roundtable. The Executive Secretary of the State Building Trades will speak on salmon and jobs.

Yakima River Basin Storage Alternatives Appraisal Assessment: On June 17, YBSA met with the BOR and received the assessment report which eliminated Bumping Lake and the K-K pipeline. Wymer will continue to be studied until November 15 when Black Rock or Wymer will be carried forward.
BOR also held stakeholder meetings and a public meeting to present the results of the alternatives appraisal. The feasibility study will be concluded in December 2008 after the environmental impact review is completed.

Recreation Economic Analysis: A committee comprised of members of YBSA, Yakima County Commissioner Mike Leita, Benton County Commissioner Max Benitz, and Port of Sunnyside Manager Amber Hansen met to develop a process to evaluate the potential economic benefit that recreation around the Black Rock Reservoir would have on the Yakima Basin.
Amber Hansen will chair the committee and prepare and distribute the request for proposal (RFP) by July 14 with a return date of July 28. A consultant will be selected after the July 25 date to do an economic benefits analysis. The RFP could address: 1) Is development reasonable given the fluctuating nature of the reservoir? 2) What are the most realistic comparable sites? 3) What elements would be included in the resort (hotels, restaurants, golf courses, campgrounds, etc.) and residential development? 4) Appraisal level costs by element.
Phase 1 of the study will be completed by September 15 and will be in the BOR’s November 15 report.

Meetings:
An update on the Black Rock study was presented to TRIDEC Agriculture committee. Discussion included how Black Rock would fit with the Columbia River Initiative.

Discussion continues with Jay Manning, Director of the Department of Ecology, about DOE’s role in the Columbia River Initiative and the salmon roundtable.

The YBSA Finance Committee met to develop a plan for creating the successful conclusion of the Feasibility Study of the Black Rock Reservoir and generating the monies needed to complete the plan. Discussion will continue at the next executive committee meeting.

YBSA executive committee will meet July 10 at 3:30 pm followed by the board meeting at 5:30 pm. The meetings will be held at New Vision in Yakima.

YBSA minutes 6/5/06

Present: Sid Morrison, Bob Hall, Tom Carpenter, Chuck Klarich, Robbie Stolz, David Bowen, Ron Rhielander, Charlie de La, guests: Derek Sandison-DOE, Kim McCartney-BOR.

Charlie-YBSA balance is 18 K, Need to have a finance committee meeting at Bob’s convenience. We are in both the House and Senate Budgets at $2.5 M the best position we have ever been in at this time.

BOR report-
Kim-drilling completed data is being sent to Frank Spaney of PNNL for analysis, draft report due end of June, final due end of July.
Kim-5/25 BOR meeting with Port of Sunnyside, YBSA and Economists from Denver.
Kim-BOR will report back to Amber with comments on list of points from Commissioner Benitz, by 6/15.
Charlie-YBSA needs to have from BOR a list of tasks and timeline and estimated costs for the rest of the study to make reports mesh.
Kim-Assessment report will be mailed out at end of the week=6/9.
Kim-will meet with Sid and YBSA Wed 10:00am to review report before release.
Kim-The Wymer site with Columbia pump report will be out in September.
Chuck-The Wymer Columbia pump is not what YBSA wants.
Sid- Jerry says the cost of the current study is estimated to total $17 million, of which $10 million has been raised at the Federal and State level.
Sid- YBSA will directly confront BOR if the projected benefits are less than 1:1.
Bob-we need to get our hands on the Davis lake tape again
Charlie- I gave it to Todd at Doc’s office, 3/05.

Sid-Derek, what about the State’s limitations on water withdrawal from Columbia in July and August?
Derek-Water availability out of the Columbia depends on funding. The Bill states 1/3 to instream flows and 2/3 to Ag. But Black Rock is an exchange and is water neutral.
Derek-We need to address the additional Study funding required for completion by BOR, from the State.
Bob-YBSA’s job is 2 fold: 1-Validate study and results back to our
Politicians-we have to have the task list + timeline and costs to do so, and 2-Explain the cost overruns.
Robbie-with the task list we need; by whom approval is required and where on the timeline too.
Sid-I tried to get Jay Manning to commit to speak at our Round Table August 15&16, his office answered that as he had been employed by groups opposed to storage in his previous life he could not speak to storage. That is not what the Governor told us, she is very supportive of building storage.
Bob-P/R efforts are lacking what are BOR/DOE doing here?
Derek-P/R has been event driven, which have been just a few outreach events up to now. The SEPA/NEPA process will change the intensity of efforts.
Sid-Jim Waldo spoke at the NWPPC mtg and said that re-watering the Yakima will require stretching resources to enact solutions.
Derek-There is currently a strong debate of flows vs habitat and/or temps.
Tom-I’m getting damned tired of people not seeing the only solution is big Black Rock! We keep spending on small items that keep small offices and jobs funded and done little to solve the real problem! The only effort that has had a major impact is the drain cleanup by Roza+SVID. Big Black Rock is the only one that has enough water to solve the problem!
Kim-YN has resubmitted the proposed contract-it is being reviewed by BOR.
Kim-covered the exposed land map showing the outline of the reservoir size at various drawdown levels.

Chuck-Amber and the Port of Sunnyside are waiting to meet with us to write the RFP.
Bob-it sounds like Yakima County will adapt Tues am, then we get the word to Benton County and they should have their vote Monday next.

Charlie-The consensus of those who attended the BOR meeting was that BOR was not going to come close to the $4B cost estimate in their benefit analysis, part of which is due to the BOR’s P&G requirements. We do have our foot in the door in that the BOR has agreed to add our Recreational Benefits piece to their work. They have told us that Recreation is not their specialty.
Chuck-We need to reevaluate the benefits of not only for Recreation but also power and fish and we will have to be creative to exceed the cost estimate.
Charlie-I am wondering if, to realize the maximum benefits, we may have to engage the private sector. We have heard from some who are in contact with large, interested, private investors, who say they hesitate to invest because the project would run by the BOR. They would rather invest in a responsible entity that has a valid long term business plan and can execute that plan.
Sid-I sense the BOR may not be the horse that builds storage for us.
Charlie-we could use the State to leverage that revaluation, they have more at risk, and are moving on the Columbia River project as the Lead Entity. And they have the money to leverage the BOR.

YBSA Monthly Report
May, 2006

Salmon Restoration Roundtable: YBSA, with Ted Strong’s leadership, is continuing to work toward a Salmon Restoration Roundtable showing how a big Black Rock Reservoir will benefit salmon recovery in the Yakima River. Speakers, such as Bill Ruchelshaus and Jim Waldo, will be invited to speak.

Meeting with Phil Rigdon: Board members met with Phil Rigdon, Deputy Director of Natural Resources for the Yakama Nation. Phil stated that the Yakama Nation always wonders if what is promised will happen at the end of the day. The history of the promises made to the tribe and the record of keeping those promises has not been good. He also asked the following questions: “Will the plan for Salmon recovery associated with Black Rock provide access to reaches above the present reservoirs? Will a block of water be designated and set aside for fish needs? Will Black Rock’s existence provide sufficient water to create a more normative Yakima River?” He also stated the Yakama’s successful fish supplementation facility (hatchery) at Cle Elum needs a more normative flow of water in the Yakima River. With that flow they think Coho runs can be re-established in the Yakima River. Phil also expressed the concern of the Yakama’s that the cost of Black Rock might reduce or eliminate funding of current programs managed by the Yakama Nation. Sid Morrison stated YBSA wants to follow and support the Yakama Nation’s lead on what the Yakama’s see is required to restore fish.

Breakfast Meeting at Ellensburg: YBSA board members presented a program and an update on the progress of the Black Rock feasibility study at the Ellensburg Small Business Educational breakfast meeting. Kittitas County Commissioner David Bowen organized the meeting which included a good cross-section of people from Kittitas County. Our presentation was well received, and the group voiced their support for the project.

Suncadia Contact: Chuck made contact with Suncadia to discuss a salmon festival this fall in the Cle Elum/Roslyn area. Jean Krisle, Director of Community Relations for Suncadia, attended the Ellensburg presentation and during discussions after the breakfast meeting indicated Suncadia was very interested in working with YBSA to plan and possibly host the festival.

Charlie med with Miles Kolhs from Growers-Shippers and discussed possible funding of the salmon roundtable, the salmon festival, and/or the economic study.

He also talked with Mike Poulsen, a member of Representative McMorris’ staff, about Black Rock.

Charlie made a presentation to New Vision which included an update on the study.

YBSA was notified by Representative Doc Hastings that $2.5 million was included in the House of Representatives budget.

YBSA is continuing our policy of meeting with County Commissioner candidates.

Benton County passed a Resolution supporting a master site plan feasibility analysis at Black Rock reservoir.

Yakima County plans to place the interlocal agreement supporting the master planned resort at Black Rock on the June 6 agenda.

Below is a report of the Recreation Economic Analysis meeting with the Bureau of Reclamation.

Purpose: Discuss analysis of potential benefits of recreation opportunities at the potential Black Rock Dam site.

BOR Representatives: Jerry Kelso, Norbert Reis, Kim Mc Cartney, and the team of Rick Vinton and Jon Platt, economists from the Technical Service Center in Denver

Committee Designing the Proposed recreation development study: Max Benitz, Benton County Commissioner; Mike Leita, Yakima County Commissioner; Amber Hansen, Port of Sunnyside; and YBSA representatives

Answers to the following question posed by the committee should be included in the economic analysis of Black Rock.

How losses incurred because of the lack of water in the Yakima River Basin will be evaluated?

How the gains in the basin will be established once Black Rock Reservoir is operational?

How the Bureau intends to measure the benefit of additional water for salmon recovery? This impacts commercial fishing, sports fishing, recreational benefits and the needs of the Yakama Nation.

How tourism activities both on and near Black Rock Reservoir and in the Yakima Basin will impact agriculture?

How not having to deal with the endangered species act, the clean water act, and other mandates that are geared for fish recovery will allow for a more orderly economic growth in the Yakima Basin?

How additional water will benefit the wine industry creating an atmosphere that will eventually develop into another Napa Valley?

Rick Vinton and Jon Platt, the study team, stated their mandate is to evaluate this project measured on its effect on the national economy, productivity, and goods and services. They also indicated there is a regional economic development account that must be considered by reviewing the impact the project will have on this region. Jon Platt stated the study has to fall within BOR guidelines. Recreation at Black Rock will be similar to other existing reservoirs and our study should use those projections. Jon indicated the committee should look at the following when developing the study: boats; fishing; new development such as boat ramps, marinas, hotels, golf courses and other amenities; distance to travel to the designated resort recreational area; and amount of time spent at the destination should be considered.

Jerry Kelso stated the study prepared by our committee would be included in the BOR economic report. The Bureau indicated that the fish side of the economic study is very important to the cost benefit ratio.

YBSA Monthly Report
April, 2006

YBSA Roundtable: YBSA is preparing to hold a second roundtable on salmon and water. The forum will emphasize the need for water and how to achieve a balance between salmon and the economy. It will attempt to point out the desire and will of all citizens to work collaboratively to create a solution to solve the problem of sufficient water storage and instream flows. With the assistance of Ted Strong Consulting the roundtable is being planned for sometime in June and will be a two day conference. Invitations will be extended to a number of speakers to present their views on this important issue. Our next monthly report will include the roundtable agenda.

Agreement with Port of Sunnyside: YBSA signed a contract with the Port of Sunnyside to research the economic benefits of Black Rock Reservoir as a recreational site. Black Rock Reservoir has an estimated thirty miles of beaches, has great economic potential from water recreation, and has the potential of a master planned resort.
Port Commissioner Jeff Matson said the goal of the survey is “to help build the case” with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) officials that Black Rock can be more than a water storage site. Port Commissioner President Arnold Martin stated, “It’s time to move forward with this so the people can see the potential of Black Rock.”
YBSA and the Port of Sunnyside will begin a search immediately for a firm to conduct the study. The value of recreation around Black Rock will be included in the feasibility study being prepared by the BOR. The BOR will assist YBSA and the Port of Sunnyside to complete the value of the recreation study.
from Groups looking into reservoir recreation
This story was published Tuesday, April 11th, 2006
By Elena Olmstead, Herald staff writer
Black Rock Reservoir could be more than a water storage solution for the Yakima Basin.
The project has the potential to make the Mid-Columbia a tourist destination.
Yakima Basin Storage Alliance, the group behind the reservoir project, is looking to Benton and Yakima counties and the Port of Sunnyside to pay for a study outlining the potential economic benefits of building the large basin.
Kim McCartney, storage study manager for the bureau of Reclamation, told the Herald that the agency will conduct its own recreation analysis this summer. He said the Bureau already has looked at the various recreation options available in the area and plans on spending the summer looking at which ones will be available if the reservoir is built.
The bureau wants to investigate whether the benefits from the project will justify its $3.5 billion to $4 billion price tag. The water storage project includes pumping no more than 1.3 million acre feet of water from the Columbia River into a man-made reservoir near the intersection of highways 241 and 24.
Commission Chairman Max Benitz said the study also would address the economic development that would come with the creation of the reservoir.
The man-made lakefront property could prove to be an economic draw, and Benitz said much of the property that lends itself to development is in Benton County.
Benitz told commissioners the proposed study would help “flesh out” the work being done by the Bureau. Cost of the study is estimated at $25,000.
Commissioner Leo Bowman said although he supports the project he was uncomfortable with some of the language in the proposed agreement. He said he’d like the county’s prosecutor’s office and planning and public works departments to review it before commissioners sign it. Commissioners agreed to have staff members look over the agreement and bring their recommendations back to the board.
Amber Hansen of the Port of Sunnyside likened the project to the creation of Lake Mead in the desert near Las Vegas.
“There are communities that didn’t exist until Lake Mead happened,” Hansen said. “Think of the boost that would happen in Benton and Yakima counties. We would become a tourist destination.”
© 2005 Tri-City Herald, Associated Press and other wire services.

Recreation Meeting with BOR: Commissioners from Benton and Yakima Counties along with YBSA and the Port of Sunnyside met with the BOR and Department of Ecology (DOE) to discuss how the value of recreation and resorts constructed around Black Rock Reservoir could be included in the feasibility study.
The developed recreational area needs to be included as another value in the feasibility study. Its importance should be considered in the cost-benefit ratio which will be one of the major factors in the determining whether Black Rock is built At the BOR meeting it was emphasized that the big Black Rock Reservoir was very important to economic development of the Yakima River Basin.

Democratic FDR Dinner: A presentation was made at the Democrats FDR dinner. The presentation included how the Black Rock project is a water exchange program that benefits the environment, fish, agriculture, municipalities and recreation. The presentation was well received. A display was set up at the dinner and a large number of people stopped to look at the display and discuss the benefits of Black Rock.
Senator Lisa Brown, the State Senate Majority Leader, was the keynote speaker. Oscar Cerda, a member of the Governors staff, also spoke. They both supported the concept of the Black Rock project and were pleased with the additional funding to continue the feasibility study that passed the legislature and was approved by the Governor.

Contract: Ted Strong’s contract was renewed for the remainder of 2006.

Contribution to YBSA: Sid Morrison met with Yakima Federal Savings and Loan board chaired by Wally Hall. Yakima Federal made a substantial contribution to YBSA.

Speaking Engagements: YBSA is scheduled to speak on the progress of the Black Rock study in Ellensburg on May 17 and the Tri-Cities in June.

YBSA Monthly Report
March, 2006

BOR Alternative Evaluation: The BOR has completed the appraisal level hydrologic analysis of the three Yakima River Basin alternatives (Bumping Lake enlargement, Wymer Dam, and the Keechelus – Kachess pipeline). The analysis includes a review of production and protection of fish, water distribution, power production and other water uses in the Yakima River Basin. Once the alternatives report has been approved for release by the BOR the preferred site(s) will be chosen and the final part of the feasibility study will be completed. BOR’s plan is to have the NEPA and SEPA environmental review completed by the end of 2008.

Fish Quantities in the Yakima Basin: Members of YBSA met with Ted Strong and Bob Tuck to discuss the tremendous benefits Black Rock will have on fish as well as water quality and quantity in the Yakima River. A determination needs to be made of the value of increasing salmon recovery in the Yakima River Basin so it doesn’t end up with problems like the Klamath Basin because of the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. The Yakima River, with Black Rock operational, will produce some of the largest runs of salmon in the Pacific Northwest.

Kennewick City Council Presentation: YBSA gave a Black Rock report to the Kennewick City Council. Each council member received a packet which included information on the value of increased flows in the Yakima River for the benefits of fish, economy, and municipal growth. It also included information on how the Umatilla Project improved both the fish returns to the Umatilla River and the amount of water for irrigation purposes even during last years drought. Council members commented on how important the Black Rock Project is to the health, vitality and economy of the Yakima River Basin.

At the Mainstream Republicans: Discussion of the Black Rock project occurred. Two gentlemen expressed their concerns about the cost of the project and why the study is not looking at bringing Klickitat River water to the Yakima Valley.