Take action, public comment will close after July 11, 2018
Two projects touted by special interest groups, Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Plant and Keechelus Reservoir-to-Kachess Reservoir Conveyance could potentially cost tax payers up to 1/2 a billion dollars and would forever alter ancient Kachess Lake. The projects are being proposed as part of the Yakima Integrated Basin Plan in draining Lake Kachess to supply more water to historically unsustainable irrigation practices within the Yakima Valley. If the proposed projects become a reality, 628 acres of shoreline at Lake Kachess will be exposed. Due to the draw down of the lake, the Kachess River will cease to flow between Little Lake Kachess and Lake Kachess. Natural water flow of wetlands, springs, streams, and wells within the Kachess Lake basin may cease, forever altering wilderness areas within the heart of the Cascades and severely impacting residents/visitors to Lake Kachess and the Snoqualmie Pass I90 corridor.
The proposed Kachess floating pump plant will draw up to 1,000 cubic feet of water per second from Lake Kachess and draw up to 200,000 acre-feet of water per season. In repetitive drought years, the lake would never recover to historic levels and would be drained up to 1,000 acre/ft below ancient levels.
In an era when preservation and sustainability is key, why would we drain Lake Kachess to support unsustainable irrigation practices which will ultimately ruin small farmers and possibly cost tax payers up to 1/2 a billion dollars? SIGN THE PETITION
Resources:
Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Plant and Keechelus Reservoir-to-Kachess Reservoir Conveyance