  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - June 16, 2006
06-101
YAKIMA - While water supplies in the Yakima Valley appear to be plentiful this year, that's small comfort to hundreds of recreational homeowners, youth camps and others whose domestic water can be shut off in a dry water year.
The Legislature has directed the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) to find out how many domestic water users face shut off, and report back with suggestions for resolving water conflicts between junior and senior water users in the Yakima River Basin.
"In the past five years we've experienced three drought years, and more dry years are expected to come" explained Dan Haller, a water resources engineer for the Department of Ecology. "In 2001, 2004 and 2005, junior water right holders were told to turn off their water to protect senior water rights."
Surface water rights in the Yakima Basin are under adjudication in Yakima County Superior Court. Those with water rights that are more than 100 years old have priority over other water rights. Some water rights are rationed during low water years. Others are not entitled to use water at all.
Small domestic water users on the east slopes of Snoqualmie, Chinook and White passes face shutoff, as do others who rely on small surface water withdrawals.
"The amount of water these cabins and camps use may be extremely small, but in the Yakima River basin every drop of water counts," Haller said. "Some of these water users have been around since the 1930s when recreational cabins were first built. Many are willing to compensate for their water use if there is a way to do so, but they just never went through the process of applying for a water right. "
Water users who participate in the study may be eligible to participate in a program to obtain a water right that will not be interrupted or shut off.
Background: How we got here
On May 10, 1905, all surface water that had not yet been appropriated in the Yakima River Basin was claimed by the United States on behalf of the Yakima Reclamation Project.
Senior water users are those with surface water rights dating earlier than May 10, 1905. Those users with surface water rights with a May 10, 1905, priority date are rationed when there is not enough water stored in reservoirs to meet the needs of all senior and pro-ratable users.
Currently, the United States Bureau of Reclamation routinely delivers more than 2 million acre-feet of water per year for irrigation and municipal supply in the Yakima River Basin. Senior water users contract for delivery of more than 1 million acre feet of water, and pro-ratable users hold a portion of the water right issued to the Bureau of Reclamation, which also totals about 1 million acre feet.
Junior water right holders are those with water rights that date after May 10, 1905. Junior water rights total approximately 100,000 acre feet. Since 2001, junior water right holders have been ordered to shut off their water when water for the Yakima Reclamation Project is rationed. Others may be using water without the benefit of a water right, which is not allowed under state law. Water users face court enforcement for violations.
What people need to do
Senate Bill 6861 directs Ecology to identify property owners who are relying on surface water supplies for their domestic use, and are either pro-ratable, junior or do not have a water right. Outreach efforts have begun with cabin owner associations, but the agency needs to hear from anyone who relies on surface water for their in-house domestic supply.
Water users are asked to participate in a survey to help Ecology with the report. More information and the survey can be found online at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cro/sb6861.html .
The website also includes an email list serve for water users interested in the progress of the study and in receiving a copy of the report. Water users may also call 509-575-2491, or communicate by email to sb6861@ecy.wa.gov .
"Over the summer, Ecology staff will be meeting with recreational homeowners at association meetings, and make every effort to contact these water users through mailings and public-records searches," explained Haller. "Our task is to provide some answers to the Legislature by the end of the year. We need everyone's help to do so."
# # #
Media contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
