Unique Partnership Between Environmentalists and Farmers: Manatash Creek Restoration Project Launched
October, 2003 - Ellensburg, WA - Bucking the trends of water wars in the west, local farmers and environmentalists announced that they are moving forward with a win-win solution for restoring the Manastash Creek near Ellensburg. The plan is designed to protect threatened fish in the creek by screening water diversions, eliminating passage barriers and restoring stream flows, while ensuring irrigated agriculture and water right holders on the creek remain whole.
Local irrigators, state agencies, the Yakama Nation and Earth Share of Washington member Washington Environmental Council (WEC) successfully transformed a possible conflict over the Endangered Species Act (ESA) into a positive collaborative process. Following two years of effort, the steering committee announced today the hiring of a project manager and the formal launching of the restoration project.
"It has been a long and sometimes trying process, but the steering committee has been successful in moving forward with a common goal, while building trust," said Dave Duncan of High Valley Ranch.
Jay Manning, President of the WEC, added, "This project is about making real, on-the-ground improvements to conserve water, protect fish habitat, all the while maintaining water use for farmers."
The Manastash water users recognized the problems of fish passage and screening and had been in discussions with Kittitas County Conservation District (KCCD) since 2000. WEC's letter with a draft notice of intent to sue for "take" under the ESA in early 2001 provided a catalyst for action. That letter resulted in a meeting in March of 2001 leading to a two-year collaborative process that has culminated in development of a restoration plan backed by $2.24 million from the 2003 Legislature. This is in addition to $300,000 appropriated in the 2002 state budget, funding that was championed by State Rep. Bruce Chandler (R-15). The 2002 funding supports a groundwater study to assess water management options.
The $2.24 million appropriation would not have been possible without the efforts of State Rep. Hinkle (R-13). "Anytime we can get ranchers and environmentalists to agree on common sense solutions to conflicts, that's a good thing. We can prove that farming and fish recovery can go hand-in-hand. It's a model type of agreement that we should encourage," said the Rep. Hinkle.
KCCD has been called on to administer the legislative funds. The KCCD has local knowledge, non-regulatory status and a history of voluntary approaches to implement of conservation practices. The KCCD has engaged Carol Ready as the Project Manager.
"The collaborative process brought the funds needed and we are ready and willing to work with farmers and WEC to be part of the solution," said Anna Lael, District Manager for KCCD.
Phase I of the restoration plan calls for the major water diversions on Manastash Creek to be consolidated and reconstructed so as to eliminate all barriers and impediments to fish passage and all unscreened diversions. In addition to the funds from the legislature, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has a $1 million grant from the Bonneville Power Administration to assist in the construction of the consolidated fish screen.
The second phase of the project will work toward improving the instream flow in Manastash Creek during the summer/fall irrigation season to protect fish and vested water rights.