February 7, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 24 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E146-E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE YAKIMA RIVER BASIN WATER ENHANCEMENT PROJECT PHASE 
                                III ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAN NEWHOUSE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2019

  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce my 
legislation, the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project Phase III 
Act. As my constituents know all too well, communities across the 
western United States are often faced with the detrimental impacts of 
droughts and water shortages. This bipartisan legislation offers 
solutions to give water users more certainty, while also recognizing 
the concerns of conservationists and the various stakeholders in the 
Yakima River Basin.
  The Yakima River Basin is one of the leading agricultural regions in 
Washington State and throughout the country. The orchardists, wine 
grape and hop 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.
  With researchers predicting that drought seasons will only become 
more common and

[[Page E147]]

get worse as snowpack in the mountains continues to decline, action 
needs to be taken so that stakeholders in the Yakima River Basin can 
continue operating without having to worry about whether or not they 
will be able to water their crops or support key commercial and 
municipal activities. As the nation has witnessed extreme water 
problems in California, we must be proactive and have a viable plan in 
place should intense drought persist in Washington State.
  The Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan was developed by a diverse 
group of stakeholders from the region, including farmers and ranchers; 
irrigation districts; county and city governments; tribes; conservation 
organizations; and state and federal agencies. The Plan will protect, 
mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife habitat; provide increased 
operational flexibility to manage instream flows to meet ecological 
objectives; and improve the reliability of the water supply in the 
Yakima River Basin for irrigation, municipal supply, and domestic uses.
  After years of tough negotiations, the Yakima River Basin Plan is a 
model of collaboration that offers a solution to give water users more 
certainty, while also recognizing the concerns of conservationists and 
the various stakeholders in the Yakima Basin. The authorization of this 
next crucial phase of the Plan is vital for my District. This 
legislation will provide the tools and necessary next steps to 
addressing our water challenges in Central Washington.
  I thank my new colleague, Representative Schrier, for joining me in 
introducing this legislation, as well as Senator Cantwell for her 
partnership and continued determination to get this effort across the 
finish line. As this identical legislation currently moves through the 
Senate in the lands package legislation, I welcome all members to join 
me in supporting the legislation here in the People's House.

                          ____________________