Hearings scheduled on proposed Columbia River water rule

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - Jan. 26, 2005

05-021

Hearings scheduled on proposed Columbia River water rule

OLYMPIA - People will have an opportunity to review and comment on a proposed regulation (rule) and draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Columbia River Mainstem Water Management Program during formal hearings scheduled by the Department of Ecology (Ecology).

The proposed rule is part of the Columbia River Initiative (CRI), a new water-resource management program for the Columbia River put forward by former Gov. Gary Locke. The CRI establishes a framework for issuing new water rights from the river while also improving stream flows for fish populations. It is intended to break through current conflicts over science and water use by providing water for economic and environmental purposes.

The proposed rule outlines how the water management program will be administered. The CRI proposal also includes a policy bill and a capital budget request to acquire water rights, improve conservation practices and develop new water storage capacity. The CRI proposal is being considered by the current legislature and must be adopted and approved by the new governor before it would take effect.

Formal hearings on the proposed rule and environmental impact statement are scheduled for:

Vancouver, Wash. - 7 p.m. on Feb. 7, Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way.
Pasco - 7 p.m. on Feb. 8, TRAC- Sports Hall of Fame room, 6600 Burden Blvd.
Moses Lake - noon on Feb. 9, Fire Department multi-purpose room, 701 E. Third Ave.
Grand Coulee - 7 p.m. on Feb. 9, Grand Gallery Theater, 204 Main St.
Wenatchee - 7 p.m. on Feb. 10, Chelan County PUD auditorium, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
Lacey - 7 p.m. on Feb. 15, Department of Ecology auditorium, 300 Desmond Drive.
Colville - 7 p.m. on Feb. 17, Community Colleges of Spokane, Colville Center, 985 S. Elm St., Dominion Room.

More information is available on Ecology's Web site at www.ecy.wa.gov. Click on Quick Links (index bar on the left of the page) and go to Columbia R. Initiative. Comments may be submitted online or more information requested by e-mailing CRI@ecy.wa.gov or by writing to Gerry O'Keefe, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, Wash., 98504. He may be reached by phone at (360) 407-6640.

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Media contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610