Columbia River Water Use to be Discussed in Local Communities

CONTACT: Ken Slattery, (360) 407-6603
Mary Getchell, (360) 407-6157, Pager (360) 534-8590

OLYMPIA, WA - The Washington Department of Ecology's proposal for the protection and future use of water in the Columbia River will be the topic of discussion in several Eastern Washington communities this month. Ecology will be asking for people's ideas and opinions about the agency's proposal to protect stream flows for endangered salmon while also considering the possibility of new water uses from the river.

"There are tremendous demands and expectations placed on the Columbia River by communities, businesses and residents all over the Northwest," said Tom Fitzsimmons, Ecology's director. "We need to determine if additional water can be removed from the Columbia to meet the needs of agriculture and our growing population while still maintaining a sufficient volume of healthy water for salmon and other fish who are struggling for survival."

SPOKANE Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7-9 p.m.
Ecology's Eastern Regional Office, 4601 N. Monroe St.

KENNEWICK Wednesday, Dec. 10, 7-9 p.m.
Ecology's Project Office, 1315 W. Fourth Ave.

YAKIMA Thursday, Dec. 11, 7-9 p.m.
Ecology's Central Regional Office, 15 W. Yakima Ave.

COLVILLE Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7-9 p.m.
Stevens County Courthouse, 215 S. Oak

BRIDGEPORT Wednesday, Dec. 17, 7-9 p.m.
Bridgeport High School, 1350 Tacoma St.

WENATCHEE Thursday, Dec. 18, 7-9 p.m.
Washington Dept. of Transportation Area 1 Maintenance Building, 2830 Euclid Ave.

Ecology is planning to use a two-phased rule development process. The first phase will be the topic at the public hearings. Ecology proposes amending the existing management rules for the Columbia River by making the current rules apply only to existing water-right permits and certificates and not to future permits or certificates. The current rules contain flow-protection measures Ecology adopted in the early 1980s, which are now viewed by the agency as obsolete and inadequate. Therefore, the measures should not be used in making future water-use decisions.

The rule amendment also proposes that Ecology evaluate new water-right applications on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with state and federal agencies and Indian tribes to determine whether the water use may harm already weak fish stocks and existing water rights.

In the second phase of the rule, Ecology proposes working with representatives of the interests associated with the Columbia River to rewrite the management rules.

"We hope to reach a consensus on how to meet the needs of people in the region, while also maintaining the necessary water flows to keep fish healthy," said Fitzsimmons.

In addition to the public hearings, people may also send written comments to Ecology through December 26. Comments should be sent to Thom Lufkin, Ecology, PO Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. Ecology will consider all ideas and comments before making a final decision on the first phase of the rule expected, which is expected in early 1998.