releases: https://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-newhouse-introduce-legislation-authorize-key-phase-yakima-basin-integrated
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-newhouse-introduce-legislation-authorize-key-phase-yakima-basin-integrated | Reichert, Newhouse Introduce Legislation to Authorize Key Phase of Yakima Basin Integrated Plan | 2017-11-17 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | WA | Dave Reichert | R000578 | reichert.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Yesterday, Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced H.R. 4419, the Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Indian Affairs Water Project Streamlining Act of 2017, to reform the Bureau of Reclamation’s and Bureau of Indian Affairs’ environmental planning and study process for new water projects and to authorize the next phase of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. The legislation authorizes a Phase III of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan, an initiative to better accommodate the water needs of the agricultural community, conservationists, residents, and other stakeholders in the Yakima River Basin region. “After years of discussion with local stakeholders, I am proud that we have finally come together on a forward-thinking plan that will work to protect the future economic health of the Yakima Basin and the surrounding regions. It does so by providing the water needed for our agricultural, irrigation, environmental, and tribal interests; local businesses; and communities to thrive,” said Rep. Reichert. “There is more work to be done to perfect this plan. I am committed to achieving a final product that will give agricultural producers the confidence they need to continue operating and expanding in the area, while also addressing the concerns of conservationists and local residents. I look forward to continued work with Congressman Newhouse and the Yakima Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan to move this legislation through Congress and to the President’s desk.” “I am grateful to Speaker Paul Ryan and House Natural Resource Committee Chairman Rob Bishop for working with me and Rep. Dave Reichert to craft this legislation that streamlines the process for new water infrastructure projects and authorizes the next phase of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Updating and modernizing our water supply infrastructure is critical to meet the current needs and future growth of communities across the nation. The Yakima Basin Plan is a national model for collaborative water infrastructure planning, taking into consideration the needs of agriculture, conservationists, residents, and a diverse group of stakeholders. We need to get this done.” “Rep. Reichert and Rep. Newhouse have worked hard on this issue and it clearly shows they care about the people of Washington state,” House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) said. For the text of the legislation, click here. BACKGROUND: In the 114th Congress, legislation authorizing the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project Phase III (H.R. 4686) introduced by Rep. Reichert and Rep. Newhouse ran into an earmark issue in the House. This revised legislation allows authorization of the Yakima Basin project consistent with the House rules. The Yakima River Basin is one of the leading agricultural regions in Washington State and throughout the country. The orchardists, wine grape growers, and other members of the agricultural community inject approximately $3.2 billion into Washington’s economy and support countless jobs in the area. However, the demand for water in the region currently exceeds the resources available, especially during times of drought, which have hit the state especially hard in the past few years. As a result, water use has been restricted for junior water rights holders - or individuals who obtained water rights in 1905 or later – during times of shortages. With researchers predicting that drought seasons will only become more common and get worse as snowpack in the mountains continues to decline, action needs to be taken so that stakeholders in the Yakima Basin can continue operating without having to worry about whether or not they will be able to water their crops or their backyard garden. As the nation has seen with extreme water problems in California, Washington must be proactive and have a viable plan in place should intense drought hit the state. After years of tough negotiations, the Yakima River Basin Plan offers a solution that will give water users more certainty, while also recognizing the concerns of conservationists and the various stakeholders in the Yakima Basin. Specifically, the Yakima River Basin Plan would: - Provide greater water supply reliability for farmers and communities. - Secure the water that communities need to meet current and future demand. - Protect over 200,000 acres of currently unprotected forest, shrub steppe, and river habitat. - Enhance habitat along the Yakima River and its tributariImplement water marketing and banking so that water is more easily delivered when and where needed. - Build fish passage to allow salmon, steelhead, and bull trout to travel throughout the basin. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |