Columbia River Basin Water Supply Development Program

RCW 90.90 provides the framework for implementing the Columbia River Basin Water Management Program and directs Ecology to aggressively pursue development of water supplies to benefit both instream and out-of-stream uses through storage, conservation and voluntary regional water management agreements. Specifically, RCW 90.40.40 stipulates that:

"(1) To support the development of new water supplies in the Columbia river and to protect instream flow, the department of ecology shall work with all interested parties, including interested county legislative authorities and watershed planning groups, adjacent to the Columbia river, and affected tribal governments, to develop a Columbia river water supply inventory and a long-term water supply and demand forecast."

WSAC also endeavors for designated watershed planning units to include, Water Resource Inventory Areas (RCW 90.82) and Ground Water Management Units (RCW 90.44) adjacent to the Columbia River to interact, discuss, engage, and partner with the Washington State Department of Ecology in the implementation of the Columbia River Water Management Program.

Participants

Each member of a Legislative Body from a County that is included in the Eastern Region of the Washington State Association of Counties, and above The Bonneville Dam may participate. This group is referred to as the Commissioner Policy Advisory Group (or Commissioners' PAG).  Additionally, it is expected that the Washington State Department of Ecology will provide consistent attendance and leadership from the Office of the Columbia River with support from other divisions as necessary.

Specific Objectives and Responsibilities of the Group

• Help Ecology identify policy issues with implementing the Columbia River Basin Water Management Program.
• Provide Ecology with a series of perspectives from local government officials elected to govern counties in the Columbia River Basin.
• Assist Ecology in establishing criteria for ranking and selecting storage and conservation project and provide policy input into projects being forwarded from the Conservation and Storage Advisory Group.
• Assure that the interests of Watershed Planning Groups and Ground Water Management Units are fully represented in a meaningful and integrated manner.
• Provide guidance and advice to County Representatives representing the Columbia River Counties on a variety of committees including the Conservation and Storage Project Advisory Group, the Columbia River Policy Advisory Group and providing advice to DOE on project screening, criteria development, evaluation and project recommendations.

The Commissioners' PAG meets approximately 4-6 times per year to provide input to Ecology Policy Advisory Group (CRPAG) on implementing the legislation. In addition, a meeting is held with all eastern Washington commissioners prior to each Ecology PAG meeting to seek their advice on the program.

Neil Aaland provides staff support to counties involved in this Program.  Neil can be reached by e-mail at naaland@comcast.net