Hastings adds $1 million to Yakima Basin study

| July 17, 2007 9:00 PM

Congressman: Water storage 'critical'

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Doc Hastings has added $1 million in federal funds to keep the Yakima Basin water storage study moving forward toward completion at the end of 2008.

"Water storage is critical for Yakima Basin farmers and our agriculture economy," said Hastings, who authored the law to create the water storage study.

"I'll continue pushing the Bureau of Reclamation to complete a thorough study on schedule."

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is currently conducting a feasibility study on adding water storage in the Yakima River basin, including the proposed Black Rock reservoir.

The study was made possible when Hastings authored and added a provision into the final spending bill for Fiscal Year 2003 directing the Bureau of Reclamation to launch the study.

The $1 million comes in addition to funding Hastings has secured for the study in previous years.

—Staff report