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2006 Senate Bill 6581: Water resource management in the Columbia river basin
  1. Introduced by Sen. Erik Poulsen (D) on January 16, 2006, to reorganize and amend regulations on water rights and water appropriation on the Columbia River. See companion HB 2860.
    • Referred to the Senate Water, Energy, and Environment Committee on January 16, 2006.
    • Substitute offered to the Senate Water, Energy, and Environment Committee on February 3, 2006, to delete all provisions of the original bill, including: All of the new definitions relating to the appropriation of water in the mainstem of the Columbia River; The requirement that the department of ecology undertake rule making for a best management practices (BPM) standards and certification program; A hydropower mitigation fee of $10.00 per acre foot of water; and a water conservation project revolving fund to fund conservation projects and to offset the flow impacts resulting from new waters appropriated from the mainstem.
    • Referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on February 3, 2006.
    • Substitute offered to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on February 7, 2006, to provide strong legislative direction that the state must pursue a program of developing new water supplies for a balanced set of needs, including meeting growing water demands by farmers and cities, as well as securing sufficient river flows during the periods that are critical for restoring salmon runs. Water supplies secured through the development of new storage with funding from the newly created Columbia river basin water supply account is allocated two-thirds for out of stream appropriations and 1/3 to be used to enhance instream flows. It authorizes voluntary regional agreements that set conditions for granting new water withdrawals from the Columbia river. These agreements must ensure that there is "no negative impact" on mainstem flows during July and August, a season critical for fish passage, and that these regional efforts be harmonized with locally-based watershed planning in the area. During 2006, the DOE is to convene stakeholder groups to review and provide recommendations to the Legislature on 2 topics: (1) addressing whether interregional water transfers undermine the economic health of the water-sending areas; and (2) exploring the use of water "banks" to facilitate meeting changing water use needs. The biennial capital budget prohibition on spending the $10 million appropriation is modified to allow the department to fund projects.
    • The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on March 8, 2006.
    • Amendment offered by Sen. Erik Poulsen (D) on March 8, 2006, to strike everything after the enacting clause and insert a new bill. S AMD 430. The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on March 8, 2006.
  2. Passed 49 to 0 in the Senate on March 8, 2006, to reorganize and amend regulations on water rights and water appropriation on the Columbia River.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  3. Received in the House on March 8, 2006.
  4. Passed 98 to 0 in the House on March 8, 2006, to reorganize and amend regulations on water rights and water appropriation on the Columbia River.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  5. Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on March 22, 2006, to reorganize and amend regulations on water rights and water appropriation on the Columbia River.

Comments

2006 Senate Bill 6581 (Water resource management in the Columbia river basin)  by admin on January 1, 2001 
Introduced in the Senate on January 16, 2006, to reorganize and amend regulations on water rights and water appropriation on the Columbia River

The vote was 49 in favor, 0 opposed and 0 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 0 at Senate Journal 0)

Click here to view bill details.