The information on this site is for historical reference only. It will not be updated and no responsibility will be assumed for its current accuracy.
A water bank in its most generalized sense is “an institutionalized process specifically designed to facilitate the transfer of developed water to new uses. The primary objective of a water bank is to bring together those holding legally valid water use entitlements interested in making the water available to another with those needing to obtain additional supplies of water for their uses.”
“Broadly speaking, a water bank is an intermediary. Like a broker, it seeks to bring together buyers and sellers. Unlike a broker, however, it is an institutionalized process with known procedures and with some kind of public sanction for its activities.“
Lawrence J. MacDonnell, “Water Banks: Untangling the Gordian Knot of Western Water”, 1995
Federal, state and tribal rules, Yakima adjudication and local practices establish many of the boundaries for water banking. In early 2003, the Washington Department of Ecology initiated an effort to define the elements of a Yakima Basin water bank, reach basic understanding and acceptance of water banking as a tool and to determine what type of water banking has a good chance of success in the Yakima region. As a fundamental part of this effort Ecology involved Yakima water bank stakeholders in exploring these boundaries and opportunities.
An initial “stakeholder” meeting was held in Yakima on Friday, April 25, 2003. While there are many interests to be represented in the water bank discussions, the participation at this first meeting was focused on those actively involved in the water transfer work of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project Conservation Advisory Group (CAG) and the Water Transfer Working Group (WTWG). Subsequent meetings broadened the participation. List of Participants
The meetings were designed as a series of facilitated discussion groups. The group was not a decision making group or an “official” government advisory committee. The objective was to get informed and motivated people to:
 | Help focus the effort |
| Engage in a dialog about the nature of a Yakima water bank |
| Consider some representative examples |
| Reach consensus around proposed elements, definitions and forms of a water bank that could succeed and |
| Prepare a report of the findings and recommendations. |
The report was completed in October 2003 and recommended the establishment of a Yakima Water Exchange (YWE) to facilitate the water banking capabilities that exist within the basin.
During November and December 2003 outreach meetings were held and included:
|
Yakima Basin Joint Board |
|
Tri-County Water Resource Council |
|
Kittitas Conference of Governments |
|
Environmental Groups |
Additional outreach meetings are planned for 2004 including:
|
Yakima County Governments |
|
Yakima Subbasin Fish and Wildlife Planning Board |
|
Yakima Farm Bureau |
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