State of Washington News Release - Sept. 6, 2001

State leaders to host "listening session" on water policy

OLYMPIA - As many as 300 people are expected to attend a "listening session" next week being hosted by the governor and state lawmakers to kick off their efforts to revise state laws that govern the supply and use of water in Washington.

A Joint Executive-Legislative Water Policy Group has been formed to develop a proposal for the 2002 legislative session.

The group includes Sen. Karen Fraser (D-Olympia), Sen. Bob Morton (R-Orient), Rep. Gary Chandler (R-Moses Lake), Rep. Kelli Linville (D-Bellingham), Sen. Debbie Regala (D-Tacoma), Sen. Jim Honeyford (R-Sunnyside), Rep. Steve Kirby (D-Tacoma), and Rep. Bruce Chandler (R-Zillah). The three representatives of Gov. Gary Locke are Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons, natural-resource advisor Curt Smitch and water-policy advisor Jim Waldo.

The 11 officials plan to develop legislation relating to four policy areas: stream flows, water for growing communities, "use it or lose it" policies, and funding for water-storage projects and drinking-water systems.

The policy group will host a joint hearing of the Senate Environment, Energy & Water Committee and the House Agriculture & Ecology Committee on Monday, Sept. 10, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. S.E., in Lacey. Local and federal officials, business and agricultural leaders, tribes, environmentalists and others who are highly affected by state water policies are invited to the all-day hearing.

In addition to a keynote speech by the governor at 8 a.m. and scheduled panels of speakers throughout the day, there will be general comment periods in the late morning and late afternoon.

Locke said he looks forward to working closely with legislators to build on reforms that were adopted in 2001: "We made a good start on water reform this year. Water is the lifeblood of our state, and we must continue our work so that communities, farmers and the environment have all the water they need to grow and be healthy - and we're going to do it together."

Gary Chandler, who co-chairs the House Agriculture & Ecology Committee, said, "The drought has focused a lot of attention on water management east of the Cascades, but the supply and delivery of water are issues that concern property owners, cities, counties, water utilities, agriculture, developers and industry across our state. We need consistent, clear and predictable policy."

Linville, the other co-chair of the House committee, said the goal is to provide a safe, reliable water supply for families, for farms and other businesses, and for fish. "Everyone has a stake in this effort, and no one should take an unequal share of the burden."

In addition to scheduling the listening session, the Joint Executive-Legislative Water Policy Group has begun soliciting "white papers" from various parties relating to the four policy areas targeted for legislation. A three-day conference will be held in October (dates and location to be determined) to discuss specific policy options raised in those papers.

Fraser, who chairs the Senate Environment, Energy & Water Committee, said, "The most important job of any lawmaker is listening to the people they represent. We are committed to keeping the public involved as this process moves forward."

Morton, the ranking Republican on the Senate committee, said, "I look forward to coming together with those involved with and affected by water policy in Washington to hear what they have to say before we begin the decision-making process."

The group hopes to have legislation drafted by early December.

An electronic distribution service is being established to issue information collected as part of the water policy effort. Beginning Monday, interested citizens may sign up at www.wa.gov/water2002.

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