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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/2012 07 Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 7 For Meeting of: October 16, 2012 ITEM TITLE: Resolution supporting the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan SUBMITTED BY: Joan Davenport, Acting CED Director David Brown, Water /Irrigation Manager CONTACT David Brown, Water /Irrigation Manager - 575 -6204 PERSON/TELEPHONE: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: In June of 2009 the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and Washington State Department of . Ecology (DOE) convened the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP) Workgroup. The group was tasked to develop a recommendation for advancing a Yakima Basin preliminary Integrated Water Resource Management Plan to restore fisheries and improve water supply in the Yakima basin (IP). The City, through Councilman Lover and Dave Brown, Water /Irrigation,Manager, has participated in the workgroups semi - monthly meetings. As your representative to the workgroup and on your behalf, the City of Yakima voted to support the IP. While the municipal portion of the plan is not completely defined yet, other portions of the plan that support our valley are and we want to support those elements. As this is the preliminary plan and this process calls for several more meetings to revise and /or approve the plan over the next several years, we will have several opportunities to refine the municipal portion. Attached is an excerpt from the IP with the table of contents, list of figures, the participants, the seven goals or elements of the plan and the list of projects that support the elements of the plan. The complete Plan and the appendixes may be found at: http://vvww.usbrgov/pn/procirams/yrbwep/index.html . Attached is a Resolution where the City is formally supporting the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan. , Resolution X Ordinance Other (specify) Contract: Mail to: Contract Term: - Amount: Expiration Date: Insurance Required? No Funding Source: Phone: APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution to support Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan. BOARD /COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: Click to download ❑ Resolution ❑ Excerpt from Plan ❑ focus sheet ❑ map 1 RESOLUTION NO. R -2012- A RESOLUTION Supporting the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan. WHEREAS; the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan represents a balanced package of actions rooted in 30 years of collaboration, negotiation, and compromise among diverse stakeholders in the Yakima basin including local irrigators, county commissioners, the Yakama Indian Nation, the City of Yakima, the Governor's Office, Washington State Department of Ecology, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the conservation community, and others, and WHEREAS; the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan presents an important opportunity to work with a diversity of interests to make these potential water and environmental protections a reality in the Yakima basin, and WHEREAS; demand for irrigation water cannot always be met in years with below average runoff, leading to reduced (pro- rationed) irrigation water for junior water right holders that in turn reduces farm and related income, and put the basin's perennial crops at extreme risk, and WHEREAS, the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan also includes an adaptive management framework to address potential future changes in water needs or hydrology, including potential climate change effects WHEREAS; five drought years have occurred in the Yakima Basin since the early 1990s that have severely impacted the basin economy and ecosystem functions, and the potential for future climate change will likely increase the frequency and severity of future droughts, and WHEREAS; dams, changes in water temperatures, other obstructions and inadequate stream flow block fish passage to Yakima tributaries and spawning grounds, and WHEREAS; floodplain modifications and riparian habitat degradation prevent proper floodplain functions, and WHEREAS; surface water rights are fully appropriated in the basin, and groundwater pumping for irrigation, domestic and municipal uses can reduce surface water flows in many locations, and hydraulic continuity between groundwater and surface water in the basin creates uncertainty over the status of groundwater rights, most groundwater rights are junior to surface water rights, and WHEREAS; the economic vitality and quality of life in Yakima is dependent on the Yakima Basin's clean, cold water for agriculture, fish and people as well as the health of our lands that provide for these water values, thriving wildlife populations and provide diverse, world -class recreational experiences, and WHEREAS; in March 2011 after 21 months of planning, the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP) Workgroup, comprised of representatives of the Yakama Nation, federal agencies, Washington State and local governments, an environmental organization (American Rivers ), a local business organization and five irrigation districts unanimously approved the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan elements and actions, and WHEREAS; the goals of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan are to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife habitat provide increased operational flexibility to manage instream flows to meet ecological objectives and improve the reliability of water supply for irrigation, municipal supply and domestic uses, and WHEREAS; the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan includes seven elements collectively essential for realizing the plan goals: 1) fish passage, 2) structural and operation changes, 3) surface water storage, 4) groundwater storage, 5) habitat protection and enhancement, 6) enhanced water conservation, and 7) market based reallocation; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA We endorses the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan, and call on our elected state and federal officials and government agency leaders to fully support authorization and appropriations necessary to implement the Integrated Plan, including associated environmental reviews, technical analyses, refinements to specific actions, project designs and program development/implementation, and project permitting and construction. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 18th day of September, 2012. ATTEST: Micah Cawley, Mayor Sonya Claar -Tee, City Clerk MISSION STATEMENTS The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation's natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and our commitments to island communities. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. The Mission of the Washington State Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment, and promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations. Contents 1.0 Introduction and Purpose 1 1.1 Elements Included in the Integrated Plan 2 1.2 Overview of Yakima Project and Water Resource and Habitat Problems 4 1.3 Authority and Scope for Yakima River Basin Study 6 1.4 Previous Activities, Recent Studies and Accomplishments 7 1.5 YRBWEP Workgroup Efforts 11 1.6 Document Organization 14 2.0 Water Resource Needs in the Yakima Basin 15 2.1 Out -of- Stream Needs 16 2.1.1 Yakima Project Agricultural Irrigation 16 2.1.2 Agricultural Irrigation Supplied by Other Sources 18 2.1.3 Municipal and Domestic Uses 18 2.1.4 Other Uses 19 2.2 Instream Needs 19 2.3 Fisheries 21 2.4 Climate Change 22 3.0 Proposed Integrated Water Resource Management Plan 23 3.1 Integrated Plan Elements and Actions 23 3.1.1 Fish Passage 23 3.1.2 Structural and Operational Changes 25 3.1.3 Surface -Water Storage 27 3.1.4 Groundwater Storage 30 3.1.5 Habitat Protection and Enhancement 31 3.1.6 Enhanced Water Conservation 34 3.1.7 Market Reallocation 36 3.2 Cost Estimates 37 3.3 Suggested Schedule for Implementing the Integrated Plan 39 4.0 Expected Outcomes 42 4.1 Analytical Approaches Used to Estimate Expected Outcomes 42 4.2 Baseline Scenario: Future Without Integrated Plan 43 4.3 Water Supply Outcomes 44 4.4 Stream flow and Mainstem Aquatic Habitat Outcomes 46 4.5 Other Surface and Groundwater Considerations 51 4.6 Water Supply Outcomes under Climate Change 52 4.7 Fish Production from Passage Improvements and Habitat Enhancement 54 4.8 Summary of Integrated Plan Benefits 59 4.9 Economic Outcomes 63 Yakima River Basin Study i Volume 1: Proposed Integrated Plan 5.0 Implementation Considerations 66 5.1 Potential Barriers to Plan Implementation and Mitigation Strategies 66 5.2 Instream Flow Management Framework 68 5.3 Periodic Reviews and Adjustments 69 6.0 Next Steps 71 References 73 Glossary 76 List of Tables Table 1 -1. Elements and Associated Actions Included in Integrated Plan 3 Table 2 -1. Roza, WIP and KRD Entitlements and Proration Levels 18 Table 3 -1. Estimated Integrated Plan Costs 38 Table 4 -1. Conservation Savings Under Future Without Integrated Plan Scenario 43 Table 4 -2. Water Resource Conditions under FWIP Compared to Integrated Plan 45 Table 4 -3. Yakima River Basin Instream Flow Needs by Reach 48 Table 4 -4. Summary of Climate Change Scenarios 52 Table 4 -5. Climate Change Scenario Simulation Results 53 Table 4 -6. All Species Combined Population Improvements (Without Sockeye) 57 Table 4 -7. Sockeye Population Improvements 57 Table 4 -8. All Species Combined Benefits for Annual Run Categories 58 Table 4 -9. Bull Trout Benefits and Impacts 59 Table 4 -10. Water Supply Benefits of Integrated Plan 61 Table 4 -11. Stream Flow and Fish Benefits of Integrated Plan 62 Table 4 -12. Water Supply Effects of Three Climate Change Scenarios 63 List of Figures 3 Figure 1 -1. Yakima River Basin 2 Figure 1 -2. Integrated Plan Project Locations 4 Figure 1 -3. Yakima Project Facilities and Irrigation Divisions 5 Figure 1 -4. Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project Timeline 8 Figure 1 -5. Reach Benefits from Conservation 9 Figure 1 -6. Storage Study and FEIS Planning Processes Lead to Establishing Workgroup and Integrated Planning Process 11 Figure 1 -7. Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Planning Process 14 Figure 2 -1. Districts Severely Affected by Drought 17 Figure 2 -2. High Priority Instream Flow Reaches 21 Figure 3 -1. Fish passage actions under Integrated Plan 24 Figure 3 -2. Structural and Operational Changes under Integrated Plan 27 Figure 3 -3. In -Basin Surface -Water Storage Projects under the Integrated Plan 28 Figure 3 -4. Groundwater Storage Actions under Integrated Plan 31 Figure 3 -5. Mainstem Floodplain Restoration Reaches 34 Figure 3 -6. Preliminary Implementation Schedule for the Integrated Plan 40 Figure 4 -1. Improvements in Instream Flows under Integrated Plan 47 Yakima River Basin Study ii Volume 1: Proposed Integrated Plan Volume II — Technical Appendices Technical Memorandum (TM) 1 Yakima River Basin Water Resources TM 2.1 Water Needs for Out -of- Stream Uses TM 2.2 Economic Effects of Yakima Basin Integrated Water Resources Management Plan TM 3 Instream Flow Needs TM 4.1 Fish Passage at Cle Elum, Bumping, and Clear Lake Dams TM 4.2 Wapatox Canal Conveyance Improvements TM 4.3 Roza /Chandler Power Subordination TM 4.45 KRD Modifications TM 4.5 Cle Elum Pool Raise TM 4.6 Keechelus to Kachess Pipeline TM 4.7a Wymer Dam and Reservoir TM 4.7b Preliminary Assessment of Wymer Reservoir Downstream Conveyance and Energy Recovery TM 4.7c Thorp to Wymer Conveyance TM 4.8 Bumping Lake Enlargement Dam Planning Design Summary Update TM 4.9 Lake Kachess Inactive Storage TM 4.10 Agricultural Water Conservation TM 4.11 Municipal and Domestic Conservation Scenario TM 4.12 Market -Based Reallocation of Water Resources TM 4.13 Groundwater Infiltration Appraisal -Level Study TM 4.14 Mainstem Floodplain Restoration TM 4.15 Columbia River Water Pump Exchange Feasibility Study Scope of Work TM 5.2 Environmental, Policy and Legal Barriers TM 5.3 Costs of the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan TM 6 Modeling of Reliability and Flows TM 7 Fish Benefits Analysis TM 9 Timing, Triggers and Sequence, Yakima Basin Integrated Plan 11 Yakima River Basin Study iii Volume 1: Proposed Integrated Plan YRBWEP Workgroup Members Name Affiliation Brad Avy /Tom Davis' Washington Department of Agriculture Dale Bambrick NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service Max Benitz Benton County Alex Conley Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife Recovery Board Rick Dieker Yakima — Tieton Irrigation District Dave Fast Yakama Nation — Yakima /Klickitat Fisheries Project Michael Garrity American Rivers Urban Eberhart Kittitas Reclamation District Mike Leita Yakima County Bill Lover City of Yakima Mark McClain /Paul Kittitas County Jewell Sid Morrison Yakima Basin Storage Alliance Scott Revell Kennewick Irrigation District Phil Rigdon Yakama Nation — Natural Resource Derek Sandison Washington Department of Ecology Jeff Tayer Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Jeff Thomas US Fish and Wildlife Service Jim Trull Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District Ron VanGundy Roza Irrigation District Dawn Wiedmeier Bureau of Reclamation :t::: City of Yakima Charlie de la Chappell Yakima Basin Storage Alliance Wendy Christensen Bureau of Reclamation John Easterbrooks Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Rand Elliot Yakima County Lee Faulconer /Kirk Cook Washington Department of Agriculture Adam Fyall Benton County Ken Hasbrouck Kittitas Reclamation District Mark Johnston Yakama Nation — Yakima /Klickitat Fisheries Project Jim Milton Yakima — Tieton Irrigation District Steve Malloch National Wildlife Federation Tom Ring Yakama Nation — Natural Resources 1 Tom Davis replaced Brad Avy as the Washington Department of Agriculture Workgroup representative in early 2010. 2 Paul Jewell replaced Mark McClain as the Kittitas County Workgroup representative in early 2010. Yakima River Basin Study iv Volume 1: Proposed Integrated Plan YRBWEP Workgroup Subcommittees Modeling Subcommittee David Child Yakima Basin Joint Board Wendy Christensen Bureau of Reclamation Alex Conley Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board Stuart Crane Yakama Nation Water Resources David Fast Yakama Nation Joel Freudenthal Yakima County Chuck Garner Bureau of Reclamation Joel Hubble Bureau of Reclamation Mark Johnston Yakama Nation — Yakima /Klickitat Fisheries Project Chris Lynch Bureau of Reclamation Jeff Thomas US Fish and Wildlife Service Ron VanGundy Roza Irrigation District Habitat Subcommittee Ryan Anderson City of Yakima David Child Yakima Basin Joint Board Alex Conley Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board Stuart Crane Yakama Nation Water Resources Tom Elliott Yakama Nation Dave Fast Yakama Nation Chris Fredricksen Yakama Nation Joel Freudenthal Yakima County Sean Gross NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service Perry Harvester Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Joel Hubble Bureau of Reclamation Anna Lael Kittitas Conservation District Dave Lind Yakama Nation Jason McCormick Washington Water Trust Yuki Reiss Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board Tom Ring Yakama Nation — Natural Resources Mike Tobin North Yakima Conservation District Yakima River Basin Study v Volume 1: Proposed Integrated Plan Instream Flow Subcommittee David Child Yakima Basin Joint Board Wendy Christensen Bureau of Reclamation Alex Conley Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board Stuart Crane Yakama Nation Water Resources Jim Cummins Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Jim Davenport Basin resident Charlie De la Chappelle Yakima Basin Storage Alliance John Easterbrooks Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Tom Elliott Yakama Nation David Fast Yakama Nation Joel Freudenthal Yakima County Michael Garrity American Rivers Sean Gross NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service Joel Hubble Bureau of Reclamation Jonathon Kohr Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Paul LaRiviere Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Chris Lynch Bureau of Reclamation Jim Milton Yakima Basin Water Resources Agency Jeff Thomas US Fish and Wildlife Service Tom Ring Yakama Nation — Natural Resources Theresa Scott Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Out -of- Stream Needs Subcommittee Dave Brown City of Yakima Wendy Christensen Bureau of Reclamation Stuart Crane Yakama Nation Water Resources Jim Davenport Basin resident Charlie De la Chappelle Yakima Basin Storage Alliance Urban Eberhart Kittitas Reclamation District Joel Freudenthal Yakima County Chuck Garner Bureau of Reclamation Michael Garrity American Rivers Don Gatchalian Yakima County Chris Lynch Bureau of Reclamation Steve Malloch National Wildlife Federation Jim Milton Yakima Basin Water Resources Agency Tom Ring Yakama Nation — Natural Resources Derek Sandison Washington Department of Ecology Jim Trull Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District Ron Van Gundy Roza Irrigation District Yakima River Basin Study vi Volume 1: Proposed Integrated Plan Consultant Support Team HDR Engineering Rich Glassen Keith Goss Andrew Graham David Minner John Nelson Jim Peterson Stan Schweissing Ted Shannon Steve Thurin Keith Underwood Anchor QEA Ben Floyd Kristi Geris Adam Hill Bob Montgomery ECONorthwest Mark Buckley Ernie Niemi ESA Adolfson Ann Root Golder Associates Bob Anderson Independent Consultant Jerry Kelso Dan Silver Menzel- Higgins Communications Tom Men Yakima River Basin Study vii Volume 1: Proposed Integrated Plan 1.0 Introduction and Purpose This document describes the proposed Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (Integrated Plan) for the Yakima River Basin in central Washington (see Figure 1 -1), and is Volume 1 of the two volume Yakima River Basin Study report. The Integrated Plan offers a proposed approach to improving water management in the Yakima River Basin The goals of the Integrated Plan are to protect, mitigate, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, and improve the reliability of the water supply for irrigation, municipal supply and domestic uses Volume 2 includes technical appendices that provide more detailed information and analysis used as the basis for the Integrated Plan. The Integrated Plan includes an overview of past and current planning efforts, followed by a description of water resource needs in the Yakima Basin; the Integrated Plan elements, expected outcomes; implementation considerations and next steps. The Integrated Plan was developed from studies initiated in 1979 and culminatin e Yakima River Basin Study, which was conducted through a planning partnership of the U S au of Reclamation (Reclamation) and Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology). he Yakima River Basin Study was conducted at an appraisal level, which means the targeted level of detail was to provide sufficient information to decide whether to proceed with a more detailed study and evaluation of the Integrated Plan and other appropriate alternatives Appraisal studies rely primarily on existing data and information for meeting current and projected needs and problems in an area, and in identifying and evaluating potential solutions (Reclamation 2000) The development of a more detailed planning document and alternatives evaluation is the next step, combined with an environmental impact statement (PR/EIS), which would meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) at the programmatic level. The Yakima River Basin is affected by a variety of water problems that impact agriculture, fish, and municipal and domestic water supplies. Since at least the 1970s, the basin's federal, state and local agencies, and Yakama Nation natural resource managers have participated in federal and state planning efforts to identify solutions to water shortages and other problems Building on previous planning efforts, the Integrated Plan is the most comprehensive effort to date in proposing water resource solutions in the Yakima Basin Yakima River Basin Study Page 1 Volume 1: Proposed Integrated Plan ! (1. 4 "1 J _ 1 r� Washington k.� C H ► A N? D O U iG L A S LakelResenrair River/Creek �✓ - -� ""_ j Interstate € At a' 1 i t - r r 7 MajarRoad •a •a - - -� I .l. County � � { ■- Yakama Nation `�_` 'j I '' 1 T A Yakima River Basin f 1 4 t 1 G 4 . } } Tharp ' • i . Ber>rsburg V R A N . 1 k ,„ ). / L —- P I E R C E \ A D A N1 S } ' r 4 , ` \- IF RAI N L E I S _ - r • • Bela ` Yakima ■ `� '\ ■ !B E � \''77f): , f `T ON I :-- - -- - - -E - --- ------ - -- --g 9 'f. / ■ Gran ger I i rE- rl 1 To.penish ,y '- ■nnyside ch.,. Richland � • ■ ■ a lkii at S K A M A N I A I / / ''' 55er K"rta *= L LA + - - - -- - f - -- - = - - - -- CO ITZ l � . �.; ;.;, Y i T.� -= � K L C K�A T I r " , 0 25 Yakima River Basin t Miles Basin Location s Yakima Basin Study Figure 1 -1. Yakima River Basin V 1.1 Elements Includes in the e • • ted Plan The Integrated Plan includes seven elements 1) fish passage 2) structural and operational changes 3) surface -water storage 4) groundwater storage 5) fish habitat improvements 6) enhanced water conservation and 7) market -based reallocation. It addresses water resource and habitat problems that exist today that are readily addressed through regional solutions, while providing an adaptive management framework to address potential future changes in water needs or hydrology, including potential climate change effects Table 1 -1 displays the proposed actions included in the Integrated Plan. The total cost of all actions in the plan is approximately $4 billion dollars. Funding is subject to further review and authorizations at the federal, state and local levels. If funded, the actions listed in Table 1 -1 would be carried out over a period of approximately 15 to 20 years Figure 1 -2 identifies the Integrated Plan action locations (plan Elements 1 through 4 listed above) Elements 5 through 7 are more programmatic in nature and not easily depicted geographically Yakima River Basin Study Page 2 Volume 1: Proposed Integrated Plan Table 1 -1. Elements and Associated Actions Included in Integrated Plan Action Description Fish Passage Clear Lake Dam Improve upstream and downstream fish passage Cle Elum Dam Add fish passage facilities Bumping Dam Add fish passage facilities Tieton Dam Evaluate feasibility and add passage facilities, or restore other habitat Keechelus Dam Evaluate feasibility and add passage facilities, or restore other habitat Kachess Dam Evaluate feasibility and add passage facilities, or restore other habitat Structural and Operational Changes Raise Pool at Cle Elum Dam Three -foot increase in storage pool elevation to enhance flows for fish KRD Canal Changes Reduce seepage and enhance tributary flows Keechelus to Kachess Pipeline Optimize storage between two reservoirs Subordinate Power at Roza Dam and Reduce water diversions to support fish migration Chandler Power Plants Wapatox Canal Improvements Improve efficiency and consolidate diversions Surface Water Storage Wymer Dam New off - channel reservoir (162,500 acre -feet) Lake Kachess Inactive Storage Tap inactive storage volume (up to 200,000 acre - feet) Enlarged Bumping Lake Reservoir Enlarge reservoir to 190,000 acre -feet Columbia River Pump Exchange with Conduct feasibility study, and periodically evaluate Yakima Basin Storage need for additional supplies Groundwater Storage Shallow Aquifer Recharge Early spring infiltration to reduce reservoir releases Aquifer Storage and Recovery Off - season recharge of municipal supplies Fish Habitat Enhancement Mainstem Floodplain Restoration Program to fund a range of projects Tributaries Habitat Enhancement Program to fund a range of projects Targeted Watershed Protection and Program to acquire sensitive lands Enhancements Enhanced Water Conservation Agricultural Water Conservation Program to fund a range of projects Municipal Water Conservation Program to fund a range of projects and encourage conservation by residents Market Reallocation Near -term Effort Reduce barriers to trading Long -term Effort Additional steps to reduce barriers KRD = Kittitas Reclamation District Yakima River Basin Study Page 3 Volume 1: Proposed Integrated Plan DEPARTMENT OF Focus on Yakima Basin Water swim St te of Washington Off "ce of Columbia - iver July 2012 Coming Together to Resolve Water Issues in the Yakima Basin Irrigators, environmentalists, and federal, state, local, and tribal Water shortages are a governments are working chronic problem in the {` together to solve Yakima Basin Yakima River Basin ` water issues. Demand for water to <- irrigate crops, to provide drinking water and ensure the survival of salmon ___ - _ - - More Information and steethead fish is On the web greater than supply. http I /www ecy wa goy/programs/ wr /cwp/YBIP html In June 2009, Ecology's Office of Columbia River (OCR) and the U S Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) brought representatives from the Yakama Nation, irrigation districts, 0 I:9 0 environmental organizations, and federal, state, county, and • city governments together to form a working group to develop t a consensus -based solution to the Basin's water problems 1 ':f El • . D41 The Proposed Integrated Water Resource office ofcoiumbiariver Management Plan The work group issued a prelimmary mtegrated water resource plan for the Yakima Basm rn December 2009. Over Contact Information. the next year, the work group refined the plan On March 9, Derek Sandison Office of Columbia River 2011, the work group unanimously voted to support the final (509) 662 - 0516 element of the Proposed Integrated Water Resource derek sandison @ecy wa gov Management Plan OCR and Reclamation released the Final Programmatic Special Accommodations' Environmental Impact Statement for the Yakima River Basin If you need this publication in an alternate format, call the Office of Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (PEIS) on March Columbia River at 2, 2012. A PEIS is a broad analysis of a proposal and its 509- 575 -2490 Persons with alternatives More focused analyses will be conducted for each hearing loss, call 711 for site action Washington Relay Service P Persons with a speech disability, call 877 - 833 -6341 Ecology Publication Number. 10 -12 -005 1 Focus on Yakima Basin Water Office of Columbia River July 2012 The proposed plan mdudes the following elements. Reservoir Fish Passage Restore access to habitat above five existing reservoirs -- - M Cle Elum, Bumping, Kachess, Keechelus, and Rimrock f . (Tipton Dam) -- and provide upstream and downstream passage to salmon, bull trout, and other fish Restoring - - "T access would have the following benefits• y, • Increase anadromous species abundance - throughout the system • Allow reintroduction of sockeye runs. • Provide greater genetic interchange for bull trout and other native fish. • Help fish cope with climate change impacts by providing access to high quality habitat at higher elevations Additionally, upstream and downstream passage for bull trout at Clear Lake Dam would be achieved by modifying the existing fishway or building a new one. Structural and Operational Changes Modify existing structures and operations to improve flows, fish bypass, and smolt outmigration Activities include• • Lake Keechelus -to -Lake Kachess Pipeline • Kittitas Reclamation District canal Modifications. o Pipe irrigation laterals along KRD main canal and south branch canal. o Construct re- regulation reservoir to capture operational spills at Manastash Creek o Construct pump station on Yakima River to deliver flows to Manastash Creek water users. • Reduce diversions for power generation at Roza and Chandler Dams to provide mstream flows for fish outmigration. • Wapatox Canal - pipe or replace lining; consolidate diversions • Raise maximum water level of Cle Elum Lake by 3 feet to add 14,600 acre -feet and improve mstream flows Surface Storage Additional water storage would supply rnstrearn and out -of- stream flows to meet agricultural, municipal, and domestic needs. The three projects described below focus on in -basin solutions to address water supply and aquatic resource problems Power generation is being considered for each facility Publication Number 10 -12 -005 2 t: Please recycle Focus on Yakima Basin Water Office of Columbia River July 2012 • Wymer Dam and Pump Station o Construct a new dam and 162,500- acre - foot - capacity reservoir o Options for pump station at Thorp or upstream of Lmuma Creek o Provides fish, drought relief benefits. • Lake Kachess Inactive Storage - Pump additional 200,000 acre -feet from inactive storage for drought years. • Bumping Lake Enlargement• o Construct new dam downstream from existing dam for an additional 164,500 acre -feet storage. o Provide carryover storage for irrigation, mstream flows, flood control, fish passage • Investigate Inter -basin Transfer - Study the potential for transferring water from the Columbia River to a storage facility in the Yakima Basin Groundwater Storage Groundwater storage actions would use surface water to recharge aquifers and store water for later withdrawal and use. • Aquifer Storage and Recovery - New aquifer storage and recovery facility for City of Yakima. • Shallow Aquifer Recharge o Diverts water into designed ground infiltration systems (ponds, canals) during periods of excess runoff. o Proposed pilot - testing in Kittitas Reclamation District and Wapato Irrigation Project (1 -2 acres). Habitat/Watershed Protection and Enhancement • Targeted Watershed Protections and Enhancements a� o Three key areas targeted for land acquisition actions, if available (or equivalent habitat type /size) • 46,000 acres m middle and lower Teanaway River Basm. • 15,000 acres in Yakima River Canyon from Yakima River to 1 -82 • 10,000 acres at Little Naches River headwaters and lands surrounding Taneum and Manastash Creeks ,. -1- i>6,, headwaters '- "• r ; s •1 o Consider potential Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River designations Publication Number 10 -12 -005 3 *,� Please recycle Focus on Yakima Basin Water Office of Columbia River July 2012 • Mamstem Floodplam and Tributaries Fish Habitat Enhancement Program• o Flow restoration through irrigation system improvements o Fish barrier removal, restore fish passage m tributaries. o Screening of diversions. o Reconnect side channels and off - channel habitat to stream channels o Create improved spawning, incubation, rearing, and migration conditions o Mamstem floodplam umprovemments - channel and habitat restoration. o Toppenish Creek Corridor Restoration Project Enhanced Water Conservation Consists of additional agricultural conservation actions _ , i H 14 not included in the current Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project implementation plans, along with municipal and domestic water conservation programs • Agricultural Conservation - up to 170,000 acre - feet o Lme or pipe existing canals or laterals. 4.4 -0 t o Construct re- regulation reservoirs o Install higher efficiency sprinklers o Reduce seepage, evaporation, and spills. • Municipal and Domestic Conservation Program• o Assess opportunities to improve efficiency for residential, commercial, industrial, and urban recreational uses. o Promote efficient landscape irrigation practices o Expand education, incentives, and other measures to encourage voluntary efficiency. o Establish best practice standards for accessing new water supplies. Market Reallocation Market Reallocation is a process by which water resources would be reallocated through a "water market" and /or "water bank " • Water rights could be bought, sold, or leased. • Would improve water supply and mstream flow conditions • Two phases o Near -term effort• ■ Build on existmg water market programs. • Take steps to reduce legal/ regulatory barriers. Publication Number 10 -12 -005 4 t: Please recycle Focus on Yakima Basin Water Office of Columbia River July 2012 0 Longer -term effort. • Focus on water transfers between districts • Allow fallowing within district; leases to outside district • Requires substantial changes to existmg laws /policies. More Information Additional information about the work group and their work is available at the following web sites • Office of Columbia River http / /www ecy wa gov /programs /wr /cwp /YBIP html • U S Bureau of Reclamation http / /www usbr gov /pn/ programs /yrbwep /2011integratedplan /index html Publication Number 10-12-005 5 �� Please recycle YAKI Enhanced Water Conservation Habitat /Watershed Protection & Market Reallocation Enhancement R IVER BASIN 1 Implement an agricultural water 1 Protect 70,000 acres of land by Employ a water market and /or a conservation program designed to acquiring high elevation portions of water bank to improve water supply I NTEGRATED conserve up to 170,000 acre -feet of the watershed and forest and shrub in the Yakima River basin Market water in good water years steppe habitat reallocation would be conducted in WATER i © 2 Create a fund to promote water 2 Evaluate potential wilderness two phases �� use efficiency y basin -wide usin g RESOURCE voluntary, incentive -based area and wild and scenic river The near term phase would con- © © designations to protect streams and tinue existing water marketing and , ` O O programs Focus on outdoor uses habitat banking programs in the basin, but MANAGEMEN top priority 3 Create a habitat enhancement take additional steps to reduce bar - riers to water transfers PLAN to address reach -level P LAN floodplain restoration priorities and The long -term program would focus restore access to key tributaries on facilitating water transfers be- tween irrigation districts This would allow an irrigation district to fallow Structural &Operational Changes 0 Kittitas County All EWC land within the district and lease water 1 Raise the Cle Elum Pool by three Action the district s for that land outside feet to add 14,600 ac -ft in storage , Conducted capacity Basin -Wide Habitat 2 Modify Kittitas Reclamation District `' Action #3 canals to provide efficiency °© 0 Conducted savings r I S Basin -Wid Market 3 Construct a pipeline from Lake i Reallocation Keechelus to Lake Kachess to 4 0; onducted reduce flows and improve habitat Basin -Wide conditions during high flow it 7 �..�0 C1N releases below Keechelus and ' coon #1 to provide more water storage Yakima County Conducted in Lake Kachess for downstream needs Basin -Wide 4 Decrease power generation at Surface Water Storage Roza Dam and Chandler power Reservoir Fish Passage m Benton County plant to support outmigration of juvenile fish Provide fish passage at 1 Build a 162,500 ac -ft off-channel surface storage facility at Wymer Groundwater Storage 5 Make efficiency improvements to 1 Clear Lake on Lmuma Creek the Wapatox Canal ` 2 Cle Elum 1 Construct pilot projects to 2 Access an additional 200,000 evaluate recharging shallow 3 Bumping ac -ft of water by tapping into aquifers via groundwater RECLAMATION }, ,ms �, 4 Tieton (Rimrock) inactive storage at Lake Kachess 5 Keechelus 3 Construct a new dam at Bumping infiltration Full scale implementation may follow Managing Water in the West ". e: http / /wwwusbrgov /pn/ programs/ yrbwep %2011integratedpIan /indexhtml 6 Kachess Reservoir to increase capacity to 2 Build an aquifer storage and 198,000 ac -ft recovery facility allowing Yakima DEPARTMENT O F 4 Begin appraisal of potential City to withdraw water from the IT' ' ❑ _ _ projects to transfer water from ECOLOGY y * periods River o during high flow ❑ { o � K liclatat County t he Columbia River to the Y akima periods and store it underground State of Washington Basin for use during low flow periods ht3 / /www ecy wa gov /programs /wr /cwp/YBIP html