We continue to admire the commitment and effort of the Yakima Basin Storage Alliance in its drive to make the Black Rock reservoir happen. But we remain of the opinion now that the dialogue is at a stage where all the options should be on the table to address the basin's water storage needs before support is sought for any individual project.

As we have reported, the federal Bureau of Reclamation will be issuing a final environmental impact statement on Black Rock and other storage alternatives by year's end. At the same time, the state Ecology Department is in the midst of a "fast-track" review of alternatives brought up by those who commented on the bureau environmental review. The state study is looking at smaller water storage alternatives, fish passage, improved habitat and modernized irrigation facilities.

While all this is going on, the alliance has come up with a draft plan with a proposed funding mix to pay for Black Rock that even mentions a special property tax levied in Yakima, Kittitas and Benton counties. Granted, it's just one possibility and it's in the early stages of discussion, but it's also one we would think is dead on arrival, at least in principle. Too many other taxing districts, including schools, already rely on that beleaguered tax.

But at least, the alliance is actively looking at ideas and proposals. That's much more encouraging for solving water storage problems than the chronic opposition of groups that offer few, if any, alternatives for viable added storage facilities.

We would like to see more than a draft plan from the alliance. In addition, how about a list of the top three proposed solutions to the storage issue. Then, the question would be: Which one is not only the most feasible, but also politically viable? Any storage project of this magnitude in this day and age must of necessity include a major state and federal partnership.

The now-estimated $6.7 billion price tag should not be the only consideration and if Black Rock proves to be the best option, the cost will only increase with further delays. While the cost seems frightfully high, we note that Congress spills that kind of money into seemingly less worthy projects in other areas on a somewhat regular basis.

Former congressman and now alliance chairman Sid Morrison said the draft bill is his group's attempt to show the benefits of Black Rock and, thus, rally support. Some basin interests, primarily the Yakama Nation and the Roza Irrigation District, are now more interested in pursuing alternatives to Black Rock.

"This is not a mad rush to get this into the halls of Congress. This is an effort to get everyone talking before we go there," Morrison said. "The only way to make a dramatic step forward is we need everyone together. Right now, they are all over the place."

And therein is the problem. Until a final measure is hammered out and support is demonstrable, Black Rock will never happen, even if it is proven to be the best option.

As an editorial board, we have met with or discussed the project with just about all the numerous interests involved. So, for now, we send this memo to the alliance: We're not afraid of the big bill for costs if it's the right project for the region. But let's see all the storage options and their details before that final determination is made.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Sarah Jenkins, Bill Lee and Karen Troianello.