(1) Because the potential impacts of water releases under agreements reached under this chapter on affected counties are unknown, the department of ecology shall, by November 15, 2009:

(a) Conduct an assessment of the potential impacts, including recommendations for mitigation, and report to [the] appropriate committees of the legislature; and

(b) Establish a process for identifying and reporting on future impacts on the affected counties, and for making recommendations for mitigation.

(2) Within the framework of Columbia river basin water resources management under this chapter, the department of ecology shall:

(a) Provide technical assistance to help affected counties identify and develop competitive project applications to benefit both instream and out-of-stream uses;

(b) Assist affected counties in exploring options to ensure water resources are available for their current and future needs. Such options include pursuing a memorandum of understanding with the affected counties that is consistent with RCW 90.90.005 to effectuate the purposes of this section. The memorandum of understanding shall be available for public comment for a period of thirty days before being signed by the department; and

(c) Consider regional equity when making funding decisions on water supply applications.

(3) As used in this section, “affected counties” means those counties east of the crest of the Cascade mountains with an international border, or those counties east of the crest of the Cascade mountains that border both a county with an international border and a county with four hundred thousand or more residents.

Effective date—2008 c 82: See note following RCW 90.90.060.