Appropriations to department of ecology — Authorized projects — Findings.

(1) There is hereby appropriated to the department of ecology for the biennium ending June 30, 1977, from the state emergency water projects revolving account in the general fund, the sum of seven million dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, which shall be expended for the financing of the following agricultural water supply and distribution projects from surface water sources: Kennewick Irrigation District; Kittitas Reclamation District; Stemilt Irrigation District; Wenatchee Heights Reclamation District; and the Wenatchee Reclamation District.

     (2) There is hereby appropriated to the department of ecology for the biennium ending June 30, 1977, from the state emergency water projects revolving account in the general fund, the sum of five million dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, which shall be expended for the financing and construction of agricultural water supply and distribution projects from groundwater sources primarily in the Moxee-Ahtanum and Park Creek aquifer areas.

     (3) There is hereby appropriated to the department of ecology for the biennium ending June 30, 1977, from the state emergency water supply revolving account in the general fund the sum of six million dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, which shall be expended for water withdrawal projects relating to ground and surface waters as provided for in subsections (1) and (2) of this section and for the financing and construction of agricultural water supply and distribution projects from ground and surface water sources which may become required by public bodies other than those identified in this section as a result of the drought forecast for the summer and fall of 1977.

     The department may expend funds from the appropriations contained in subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section to make loans or combinations of loans and grants to public bodies as defined in RCW 43.83B.050. The grant portion of a combination loan and grant to a public body for any project shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total amount received by such project under this section.

     The department may expend funds from the appropriations contained in subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section to make loans or combinations of loans and grants to public bodies as defined in RCW 43.83B.050 to satisfy the matching requirements of RCW 43.83B.210 as now or hereafter amended.

     Prior to the funding of any agriculture projects not specifically set forth in this section the department must make a formal finding that: An emergency water shortage condition exists; the project proposed for funding will alleviate the water shortage; the public body recipient of any funds has reasonable capability to repay the loan involved; and the water from the project will be used for a beneficial purpose as a substitute for water not available due to drought conditions.

[1977 ex.s. c 1 § 18.]

Appropriations to department of ecology — Authorized projects — Findings.