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Department of Ecology News Release - June 23, 2009
09-150
YAKIMA – The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has released a final environmental impact statement (EIS) that explores an integrated approach to improving water supplies and fish habitat in the Yakima River Basin.
The EIS evaluates a broader range of projects than were considered as part of the federal government’s storage feasibility study, which included a proposal for a reservoir in the Black Rock Valley east of Moxee, Wash.
The report explores modifications to existing facilities and operations, plus new or expanded storage reservoirs to optimize the basin’s water supply, and it considers habitat enhancements on the Yakima River and tributaries. The report also evaluates fish passage at existing storage reservoirs and other structures, and explores water markets and other supply and demand options for the basin.
Ecology undertook the study in response to concerns raised by local irrigators and the Yakama Nation that the federal storage study was too narrowly focused.
The EIS will be among existing reports and studies to be considered by a stakeholder group exploring water resource solutions in the Yakima Basin. They are scheduled to meet on June 30 at the Yakima Area Arboretum. The work group represents state, federal, county and city governments, environmental organizations, irrigation districts, and the Yakama Nation. Representatives from the state’s congressional delegation are also invited.
A variety of water resource problems affect agriculture, municipal and domestic water supplies, and fish in the Yakima River Basin. Factors contributing to water shortages include drought and increased demand. Other concerns include blocked fish passage to upstream tributaries, insufficient flows for migrating smolts, diking and vegetation damage. Also, full-appropriation of available water makes it difficult to acquire water rights to meet future municipal and domestic water demands.
The final environmental impact statement of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Alternative may be viewed on-line at the following link: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cwp/cr_yak_storage.html.
Copies are available by contacting Derek Sandison, by phone 509-457-7120 or email at dsan461@ecy.wa.gov.
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Media Contact:
Tim Hill, Office of Columbia River, 509-454-4241;
tihi461@ecy.wa.gov
Joye Redfield-Wilder, 509-575-2610; 509-961-6277, cell;
jred461@ecy.wa.gov
For more information: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cwp/cr_yak_storage.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
