Legislature must act to set aside drought-relief funds

This editorial appears in the March 7, 2010, Yakima Herald-Republic.

Another drought is back in the news.

Thankfully, the state is moving in the right direction to assist farmers in Central Washington if indeed an emergency is declared. That's welcome news, especially in light of the fact that Mexico has lifted an import duty on Washington apples.

It's no secret that the state is facing a potential drought this summer due to El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, which have caused warmer temperatures and less moisture in the mountains this winter. When precipitation has fallen, it's mostly come in the form of rain.

The paucity of snowpack is evident by taking a short drive up to White Pass. The peaks have snow, but in the lower elevations, where snowpack is vital for consistent runoffs for irrigators, the hills are bare and showing early signs of spring growth.

So far, snowpack in the Yakima River Basin ranges from 66 percent of normal in the watershed feeding the reservoirs around Cle Elum to a high of 83 percent around Rimrock and Bumping lakes.

We have had our share of droughts in the past two decades, with the latest coming in 2005 when snowpack barely eked out 26 percent of normal. Losses for growers in the Yakima River Basin totaled some $250 million, with the statewide impact reaching more than $1 billion.

That's why Gov. Chris Gregoire made the correct call last week by asking the Legislature to set aside $4.1 million for drought-relief aid. Lawmakers need to approve this transfer, since the state's drought relief fund was depleted last year to help balance a record-setting budget deficit.

A drought emergency needs to be declared before the relief funds can be tapped, and that would require less than 75 percent of normal water supply and an assessment that water users would suffer hardships -- a situation the state is rapidly approaching. The funds could be used to lease water from senior water right holders like the Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District and to drill deeper wells.

The fears of a summer drought come on the heels of last week's announcement that growers here will have a chance to sell more apples to Mexico.

Since 1996, Mexican apple importers have had to pay higher costs when buying Washington state apples. The reason Mexico slapped the duty on Red and Golden Delicious apples had to do with allegations that Washington growers were selling apples below the cost of production -- in other words, dumping apples and depressing Mexico's domestic market.

After appeals and further study, Mexico finally decided last month it could not confirm dumping of apples had ever occurred.

Bringing equal treatment for Washington growers has profound economic consequences. Mexico stands as the largest export market for Washington apples. Dropping that extra import duty of $10 to the cost of a box of apples will surely help increase sales.

That's why being prepared for a summer drought is so important. With expected greater demand for Washington state apples from buyers in Mexico, lawmakers need to move decisively on replenishing the state's drought relief fund. This is no time to be caught with empty coffers if an emergency strikes.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.