Columbia River Basin Water Supply Development Program
In 2006, the state legislature established the Columbia River Basin
Water Supply Development Program (also referred to as Columbia River
Basin Water Management Program). The legislature directed the Department
of Ecology to “…aggressively pursue the development of water supplies…”
These water supplies are intended to benefit both in-stream and
out-of-stream uses through storage, conservation and voluntary regional
water management agreements. The bill also created a Columbia River
Basin development account.
Ecology created a Policy Advisory Group (PAG) made up of various
stakeholders to advise them on implementing this bill. The agency
believes the participation of counties in the basin is important to the
success of the program. As a result, four eastern Washington county
commissioners are members of the PAG.
The PAG meets approximately 4-6 times per year to provide input to
Ecology on implementing the legislation. In addition, a meeting is held
with all eastern Washington commissioners prior to each PAG meeting to
seek their advice on the program.
WSAC has been involved this effort since last fall, and recently
Ecology has provided financial support to allow the association to hire
part-time staff. Neil Aaland is providing staff support to county
commissioners involved in this Program. Neil can be reached by e-mail at
naaland@wacounties.org or at (360) 352-8822.
Links:
WSAC’s Commissioner’s Advisory Group: Charter, minutes, meeting
agendas, and other information.
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