06/20/06 Open house on Yakima water study

Washington Ag June 20, 2006 In a report released late last week on in-basin water storage alternatives for the Yakima River Basin, the Bureau of Reclamation announced one alternative, Wymer Dam and Reservoir, was sufficiently viable to merit further study. The Wymer alternative will be studied in more detail this summer, along with the Black Rock reservoir alternative, which Reclamation previously determined appeared to be technically viable. Storage Study Manager Kim McCartney, says Reclamation is holding a Public Open House at the Yakima Convention Center this afternoon from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on the Yakima Alternatives Appraisal Assessment. McCartney: "And at this we will have about five booths so people can walk around at their own pace and ask questions of economics, biology people. I will be there and other people from the Bureau of Reclamation to answer questions about the Yakima Basin Appraisal Study that was just released." The study is evaluating storage options to improve anadromous fish habitat, improve the reliability of Yakima Project water supply during dry years, and provide water to meet future demand for municipal water supply. Reclamation and the State of Washington are sharing the costs of the storage study I'm Bob Hoff.