Morton yields time for public hearing on bill to protect water rights for future use so committee can her other side of global warming debate

February 26, 2009

Olympia…Sen. Bob Morton, R-Kettle Falls, has introduced a measure that would protect water rights to accommodate growth. 

Senate Bill 6076 would allow a public water supply system to retain its full water right even if a portion of the right is not being used, but will be needed to serve future development. Under current law if a water right is not fully used over a five-year period, that unused portion of the water right is relinquished. 

“Cities and counties can’t plan for growth unless they have enough water to serve new businesses or homes,” Morton said. “This bill would allow water supply systems to meet demands in the future.” 

Under the measure purveyors of potable water to the general public, including cities, towns, counties, public irrigation districts, and public water districts are not subject to relinquishment under the state non-use statute.  

SB 6076 was referred to the Senate Environment, Water and Energy Committee. 

Morton said he didn’t push for a public hearing on this bill before yesterday’s deadline for Senate policy committees to act on Senate bills because of the heavy agenda that included a presentation by scientists on the other side of the global warming debate. Morton’s office made the arrangements for the special presentation. 

Morton said that with all the high-cost legislation being pushed this year to reduce carbon emissions, including the “cap-and-trade” (cap-and-tax) carbon credit scheme and a move toward putting microchips in cars to track mileage and charge accordingly, he thought it was important to put the climate change rhetoric in perspective. 

“One of the statements made by Dr. John Christy in his presentation yesterday really set the stage,” Morton said. “Dr. Christy said, ‘Don’t demonized energy. Without energy, life is brutal and short.’”  

Dr. Christy, who holds a Ph.D. in atmospheric science and directs the Earth System Science Center at the University of Alabama, gave his presentation through a teleconference hookup.  Dr. Tim Ball, who earned his Ph.D. in climatology, and Dr. Michael Fox, a retired nuclear scientist and university chemistry professor, were the other two presenters. 

The special presentation can be viewed online at www.tvw.org under archived video for the Feb. 25 meeting of the Senate Environment, Water and Energy Committee. 

Morton said he will ask for a public hearing on SB 6076 during the 2010 session. Bills introduced during the 2009 remain alive until the Legislature convenes in 2011.  

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Additional contact: Penny Drost (360) 786-7522 or drost.penny@leg.wa.gov