Senator Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake) announced the successful passage of her proposal, Senate Bill 5303, aimed at extending water supply milestones for the Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan to 2035. The bill received bipartisan support and underscores the state’s commitment to sustainable water resource management in the Yakima River Basin.

The Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan is a comprehensive strategy developed through collaboration among the Yakama Nation, federal, state, county, and city governments, environmental organizations, and irrigation districts. The plan addresses water conservation, habitat restoration, and water supply needs for both in-stream and out-of-stream uses.

Originally, the plan set a milestone to secure permits and funding for water supply facilities by June 30, 2025. Warnick’s bill extends this deadline to June 30, 2035, allowing additional time to achieve the goal of providing at least 214,000 acre-feet of water for various uses.

“Extending this milestone is crucial for the continued success of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan,” said Warnick. “This extension ensures that we have the necessary time to secure funding and permits for essential water supply projects that benefit our communities, agriculture, and the environment.”

The legislation also mandates that prior to appropriating funds for constructing any water supply project within the integrated plan costing over $100 million, the State of Washington Water Research Center must review and evaluate the project’s cost-benefit analysis. This provision ensures fiscal responsibility and thorough evaluation of significant investments.

To prevent any lapse in the plan’s implementation timeline, the legislation includes an emergency clause, making it effective on June 30, 2025.

Senator Warnick expressed gratitude to her colleagues and stakeholders for their support in passing this important legislation. “This collaborative effort reflects our shared dedication to sustainable water management and the prosperity of the Yakima River Basin,” she stated.