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. . . Western States Water Council Full Council Minutes Seattle, Washington July 15, 2005 Susan asked about Washington's Task Force on Reserved Water Rights. Mr. Manning stated that water rights settlements and validation of senior rights are an agency priority. There is a proposal to create a water court. Yesterday, the Lummi and Nooksack Nations were at the task force meeting, some other tribes think they are better off with an unquantified right. Others see water being "spoken for." Also, in Washington you don't need a permit for "exempt wells." However, these wells have an effect on instreamflows and Indian water rights. Jack Stults asked about who is at the table with watershed groups. Mr. Manning said they include governmental entities with obligations under any approved plan has to be at the table. DOE provides assistance and oversight. However, the tribes sometimes have disapproved watershed group plans. Ken Slattery explained the state has provided $9-$11 million to help watershed groups. Jim Davenport asked about the drought emergency. The Governor's March 10 declaration makes $2 million available, and the Legislature has appropriated $8 million. This money will mostly be used to lease water for this year so that it can be left instream for fish and wildlife or to go to preserve perennial crops. Hay farmers are letting water go to orchards and vineyards. This money also covers administrative costs. There are also some direct projects, such as moving stranded fish. The declaration also requires that DOE must process in 15 days emergency well applications and we have added staff to get the job done. We have approved 90 wells that can only be used under a drought declaration. The Yakima Basin is the driest this year. DOE has issued a request for proposals to acquire water. You propose a price. DOE has secured water for 200 domestic users that would not have had any water at all. Money and administration processes have been expedited. The 2001 drought prepared us. "We were ready to go." Karl Dreher asked, "How much did you pay? Ken: "I don't know, but the Yakima Basin has a 7-year water market record. They know." Mr. Manning said that DOE is trying not to "jack up" the market. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION ACTIVITIES John Keys, Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, spoke from prepared remarks (attached). He addressed the question: "What does it take to keep water running in the future?" He then referred to a Tuesday hearing before the House Resources Committee's Water and Power Subcommittee (at which WSWC Deputy Director Tony Willardson was scheduled to testify) as the time to let people know your problems. He talked about the proposed Black Rock Dam in the Yakima Basin as a potential demonstration project for major interagency construction. "What will the dam of the future look like?" Physically, it will look the same, but there will be numerous owners and financing 5