Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 22, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke hails passage of water reforms and urges support for multi-year water strategy

YAKIMA - Gov. Gary Locke today called upon the Legislature to fund newly passed reforms to the state's antiquated water laws and continue the reforms in 2002 and beyond.

Locke was in Yakima for a ceremonial signing of House Bill 1832 which will help the state improve water management.

The governor said antiquated laws no longer served the state's large population nor its effort to recover wild salmon, sustain its agricultural economy and produce power.

Locke said his water reform strategy is based on three principles:

- Meeting the statewide needs of a growing population, including agriculture
- Meeting the needs of fish and healthy watersheds
- Advancing the two principles together, in increments, over time

Referring to HB 1832, Locke said, "This legislation represents the first comprehensive changes to water law in nearly 30 years."

"And because of everyone's tireless work and perseverance, the final version of HB 1832 is an even better bill than the one I submitted," the governor added.

Locke thanked committee chairs Rep. Kelli Linville, Rep. Gary Chandler, Sen. Karen Fraser and Sen. Bob Morton, along with Rep. Bruce Chandler, Sen. Jim Honeyford and legislative leadership for their assistance.

Locke said the new legislation would help the state get through this year's drought and improve water management in the future by:

Creating two lines for water right applications - one for new rights and one for transferring or changing them

Allowing local water conservancy boards to process all types of water right changes and transfers while making the boards more accountable to the public

Creating tax incentives for utilities to conserve and reuse water

Revising the 1977 Family Farm Act to allow family farm water permits to be used within city limits and urban growth areas

Establishing firm timelines for setting stream flows to save fish while providing certainty about the amount of water available for farms and growing cities

Encouraging water donations to improve stream flows and help fish

But Locke also noted, "A water strategy without funding is inadequate. I am pleased with the attention the Legislature is giving to the funding issue. In the end, they must deliver a budget-and not leave the job half-done."

The governor also warned the state still faces additional water policy issues. He said he has three key objectives for 2002.

They are to:

- Define and implement a strategy for meeting the needs of salmon runs
- Address the water needs of growing communities
- Fix outdated "use it or lose it" policies to ensure people who save water aren't punished for doing so

Locke said he also wants the state to launch a new water storage program in 2002.

"Our drought only magnifies the need to store excess water during our wet season so we have it at other times of the year," Locke said.

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Related Links:
- Washington's Water
- Washington Water: Making Every Drop Count

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