House OKs Odessa aquifer funding
CBDL lobbyist: 'We're in the game'
ODESSA — The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a bill fully funding the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's budget request for work on the Odessa Sub-Area Aquifer for next year.
This is the first year that the federal government has formally requested funding to address the depleting aquifer.
For the past two years, Congressman Doc Hastings, R-4th District, has added funds to Reclamation's budget in effort to get them officially engaged in finding solutions for Columbia Basin farmers dependent upon pumping water from the aquifer.
"I'm pleased that the Bureau of Reclamation has stepped up and is working diligently to help local farmers," Hastings said in a statement. "More work is needed to solve this serious problem and I'll keep pushing throughout this year to provide as much help as possible."
The Bureau of Reclamation's budget provides $50,000 for work on the aquifer. The state of Washington has also approved funding that will be used by the bureau for work on the aquifer. Over the past two years, $468,000 in federal funding has been provided to the bureau to begin its work.
The Odessa funds were included in the fiscal year 2007 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which was approved by the House in late May.
The bill would decrease the Bureau of Reclamation's budget by $114 million from the current year for a total of $923 million in 2007.
The Senate has not yet scheduled action of its version of the bill. After a bill is passed by each chamber, Congress must pass a final funding bill that will be written by a special committee of House and Senate members.
Mike Schwisow, lobbyist for the Columbia Basin Development League, called the House bill a continuation of the process, noting the bureau's study of the aquifer is projected to take five years. When the House passes its budget and the Senate passes its budget, a conference committee will reconcile the two, he said, noting the budget for the aquifer for the present fiscal year is $368,000, but the league is hoping to increase that number.
"We know Congress is under tremendous budget pressure right now," Schwisow said. "It's not as much as we're looking for, but we're in the game. If there wasn't anything in the House budget, we wouldn't have anything to work on in the Senate."
Odessa Aquifer Replenishment Coalition chief consultant Pat Boss said his organization's position remains finding short-term solutions to aid growers, and said the House support is for more long-term assistance.
"These growers have got to stay whole for a while, so we're looking at anything that will keep them in business," he said, noting that includes possible programs by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Bonneville Power Administration that would keep growers financially viable. "We're concerned that if we continue to put more straws in the ground or we continue to pump at the level we have been pumping at, it won't matter what happens in 15 years. There won't be many people growing and everybody will be out of water."
Boss said he believes the state is still considering short-term programs.
Schwisow said he is pleased with the progress made on the aquifer to this point, with study activities well under way.
"All the things we hoped to get started have happened now," he said, pointing to the Legislature's enactment of the Columbia Water Management Bill, which "puts us in the position to carry on this activity through into conclusion … (This is) a complex process, it's going to take time to work through all the steps. We're set up to do that."