WATER POLICY UPDATE Washington Water Law 2008 LSI Conference Spokane, Washington April 10, 2008 Evan Sheffels Water Policy Special Assistant Washington State Department of Ecology Evan Sheffels Water Policy Special Assistant Washington State Department of Ecology

Water Resources— Major Themes Moving from time when resources seemed infinite to recognition of finite resources Competition for water will get more fierce as population grows and demand increases Market will become the most important factor in water resources Loss of snowpack due to climate change will greatly intensify water supply problems

Water Resources— Major “Systems” Problems Uncertainty of Water Rights— Tribal, Federal, Claims, Paper, Exempt Costs and Complexities of Administration Lack of Modern Data and Data Management Systems Natural Resource Base Not Protected Gaps in Protection of Rights, Resources

Water Resources— Major Policy Actions— Watershed Planning—Respect for Local Knowledge—Setting the Table Columbia River Program—Aggressive Pursuit of Shared Water Supplies for People and Fish Columbia Water Supply Inventory—On Time Climate Action Team (Water Preparation and Adaptation Work Group) Puget Sound Partnership Action Agenda (May 5, Water Quantity Workshop)

2006 Columbia Legislation A New Approach Move away from debate on the science or the politics to create practical compromises Balance the needs of people and the needs of fish Seek out and support project packages with multiple benefits—instream and out-of-stream

ESSHB 2860 New Mission: Ecology to aggressively pursue development of new water supplies for instream and out-of-stream uses $222 Million investment in new storage and conservation –$20M Capital: initial biennium; –$2M Operating: 15 new FTEs –$200M - General Obligation Bond Authorization – Water Supply Development Account: 2/3 to new storage efforts: 1/3 to other supply efforts, conservation, storage enhancement, … Formula for allocating newly stored water -- 1/3 to improve streamflows to benefit fish, 2/3 for new out-of-stream uses

SB 6874— Real Water to Meet Real Needs 465 water right applications waiting evaluation, many for over 15 years Municipal and agricultural sectors depend on stable water supply Tribes depend on fish for cultural and economic prosperity Recreational and commercial fishing in the River and downstream depend on improving fish populations

Priorities and Actions Storage Smart, off-channel, multi-purpose storage Capture winter flows to release when needed in summer Supporting: –Feasibility analysis of Yakima –Scoping and now appraisal-level assessments of four potential new sites on the mainstem –Enhancing existing Columbia Basin Project infrastructure

Columbia River Water Supply Inventory  First report sent to Legislature November 15, 2006  Annual inventory updates (RCW )  Columbia Grant Cycle Under Way—Decision Package By Summer Long-Term Water Supply and Demand Forecast  First report sent to Legislature November 15, 2006  Updates every 5 years  Climate Change Impacts Being Considered S C O P E

Water Resources— More Major Policy Actions Walla Walla Initiative—Shared Commitment to Healthy Agriculture and Restored Flows Establishing Instream Flows—Local Input— Tailored to Fit Adjudications—Last Chapter in Yakima? Kittitas Groundwater—Exempt Well Agreement —Shared Protection of Rights and Resources

Water Resources— Some Major Policy Issues Exempt Wells—How to Define Governance Roles and Responsibilities Relinquishment—How to Encourage Conservation and Water Use Efficiencies Water Following Money—How to Protect Upstream Communities from Transfer Impacts Climate Change and Population Growth—How to Prepare for Water Supply and Demand Impacts

Looking Ahead— Goals for Effective Water Management Water Supply and Demand Strategies Work— We are Prepared for Climate Change Information-Based Water Management Increases Clarity—We Make Sound Decisions Water Markets Re-Allocate Rights Fairly and Efficiently—We Get Water Where Needed Natural Resource Base is Protected and Healthy—We Support Healthy Watersheds

Looking Ahead— Goals for Effective Water Management (cont.) Water Governance is Shared and Accountable— We Protect Rights and Resources Citizens Understand Our Water Management System—We Are All Water Managers Funding Supports Modern Water Management Systems—We Invest in Data, Delivery, Storage, Conservation, Water Supply Infrastructure

Questions?