02/08/05 Hearings on Columbia River Initiative

Washington Ag February 8, 2005 The Department of Ecology begins public hearings around the state this week on a proposed draft regulation and environmental impact statement for the Columbia River Mainstem Water Management Program. That proposed rule is part of the Columbia River Initiative, CRI, put forward by former Governor Gary Locke. John Stuhlmiller of the Washington Farm Bureau says their biggest concern right now is that Ecology is moving forward with a rule before the legislature has acted. Stuhlmiller: "I think this is an unprecedented move to do rule making prior to legislation that would authorize that rule to go forward." Stuhlmiller says Farm Bureau opposes the basic provisions of the CRI, including water banking without legislative authority, the three-in for two-out water policy and mitigation fees to use water. There will be a public hearing on the CRI tonite at seven p.m. at the TRAC in Pasco, another hearing tomorrow February 9th in Moses Lake at noon at the Fire Department multi-purpose room. Also this Wednesday night at seven p.m. in Grand Coulee at the Grand Coulee Theater. This Thursday there will be a hearing on the CRI at the Chelan County PUD in Wenatchee at seven p.m. Next week there will be a CRI hearing in Colville on February 17th at 7 p.m. at the Community Colleges of Spokane, Colville Center. I'm Bob Hoff.