S.1411 (C103) 08/06/93
Sen Gorton Senate Energy and Natural Resources
OFFICIAL TITLE(S):
AS INTRODUCED: (DATA FURNISHED BY THE SENATE)
A bill to authorize certain elements of the Yakima River Basin Water
Enhancement Project, and for other purposes.
SHORT TITLE(S):
AS INTRODUCED:
Yakima Basin Water Enhancement Act of 1993
COMMITTEE(S) OF REFERRAL:
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
SUBCOMMITTEE(S) OF REFERRAL:
Ssc Parks, Recreation, and Renewable Resources
DETAILED STATUS STEPS:
SENATE ACTIONS
Aug 6, 93 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources.
Aug 9, 93 Referred to Subcommittee on Water and Power.
DIGEST AS INTRODUCED:
Yakima Basin Water Enhancement Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of the
Interior to establish and administer a Yakima River Basin Water Conservation
Program for the purpose of evaluating and implementing measures to improve the
availability of water supplies for irrigation and the protection and
enhancement of fish and wildlife resources, including wetlands, while
improving the quality of water in the Yakima River basin. Authorizes the
Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of carrying out
this Act.
Directs the Secretary to establish the Yakima River Basin Conservation
Advisory Group to provide assistance with respect to the Program.
Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Program.
Provides for the implementation by the Yakima Indian Nation of: (1) an
irrigation demonstration project on the Yakima Indian Reservation that shall
provide for the construction of distribution and on-farm irrigation facilities
to use water savings resulting from system improvements to the Wapato
Irrigation Project; and (2) a Toppenish Creek corridor enhancement project to
demonstrate integration of management of agricultural, fish, wildlife, and
cultural resources to meet tribal objectives. Authorizes appropriations to
the Secretary for initiation, operation, and maintenance of such projects and
for implementation of system improvements to the Wapato Irrigation Project.
Details the instream flows the Secretary is required to provide through
the Yakima Project Superintendent, requiring flow increases (obtained through
voluntary sale and leasing of water or water rights) to facilitate anadromous
fish mitigation.
Dedicates water savings resulting from improvements to the Wapato
Irrigation Project to fish, wildlife, and on-reservation irrigation.
Authorizes appropriations for Chandler Power Canal operations for the
delivery of water to the Kennewick Division.
Authorizes appropriations for: (1) modifying the radial gates at Cle Elum
Dam to provide additional storage capacity in Lake Cle Elum; (2) providing for
shoreline protection of the Lake; (3) constructing juvenile fish passage
facilities at the Dam; (4) operation and maintenance responsibilities of the
Federal Government for the Dam; and (5) environmental mitigation.
Provides for the enhancement of water supplies for Yakima River Basin
tributaries for fish and wildlife and irrigation purposes. Requires a study
to determine the measures to be implemented to enhance water supplies for such
purposes on Taneum Creek. Authorizes appropriations for such enhancement and
for the Taneum Creek study.
Makes implementation of this Act contingent upon compliance by the
Secretary with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes
appropriations for environmental compliance activities.
-- Western Shoshone Defense Project <wsdp@rahul.net>