Water updates, impacts topic of conference

Hastings' district director calls for farmer unity

COLUMBIA BASIN - Even though insiders may think work on the Odessa Aquifer is going slowly, Mike Schwisow assures residents it's progressing quite well.

The Columbia Basin Development League project director conveyed that message, amongst many others delivered to attendees, during the league's annual conference and meeting at Big Bend Community College's ATEC Building Tuesday afternoon.

"I can assure you, looking at projects of this nature, this one is moving ahead very rapidly," Schwisow said in his update.

The league visited Washington, D.C., twice since last year's conference, he said, and has received various federal appropriations, even though the House of Representatives and the Senate bills haven't been amended by Congress. Like other interest groups, the league has to wait while politics play themselves out, Schwisow said.

"Today's program is an effort to bring everyone up to speed on what's been going on," he said.

Schwisow urged those in attendance to keep in mind the scope of the project as they heard the various reports.

"It's going to take time, but it is moving along, and that's really a very positive thing," he said. "The numbers are going to be big, but the stakes are big as well."

In a press conference prior to the event, Schwisow noted Adams and Lincoln counties have paid Washington State University researchers for a report on the economic impacts loss of irrigated agriculture would have upon the two counties.

"The impacts to the economy from the loss of irrigated agriculture are large," he said. "That's the primary driver of why the development league is working on this issue, it's to look at developing solutions for alternative to deep-well irrigation. There are a lot of unknowns and part of the effort is to answer some of those questions."

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Special Projects Officer Jim Blanchard gave an update on creation of an alternative water route to Potholes Reservoir, which would move some water from an existing route into a new pathway down to the reservoir.

Blanchard stressed no water is being added, the route would just be a different way for water to arrive at the same reservoir.

Blanchard said the bureau is procuring materials for a renovation to a road crossing at Road C S.E., which isn't large enough right now to handle the flow levels the bureau is discussing. Those renovations begin at the end of January.

The bureau is also working on a sediment study to address concerns raised early in the year by the City of Moses Lake and the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District regarding additional sediment introduced into Moses Lake by an increased flow of water.

"Our preliminary study said that was a fairly negligible amount of sediment," Blanchard said. "We're going to qualify that a lot more, and also find out if indeed we're overall adding or we're actually moving sediment through the lake with the high flows we put through the lake in the spring."

Blanchard said the bureau will work on the study for the next year and a half to gather field data.

The conference also included a presentation on the latest information on the Odessa Aquifer Special Study by bureau Study Director Ellen Berggren, a look at the big picture of the state Department of Ecology's Columbia River Water Management program and a legislator panel on funding infrastructure projects.

Later, during the league annual business meeting and banquet, Congressman Doc Hastings' district director, Barb Lisk, delivered the keynote speech.

Hastings does not believe the Columbia River is over-appropriated, Lisk said, and urged audience members to keep in mind the true agendas of the groups and public leaders who say the river cannot spare any more withdrawals.

"Is this based on science, or is there perhaps another motivation behind taking this position?" Lisk asked. "Maybe politics, or maybe it's based on the control of the river, and all those who depend on it."

Hastings' commitment has not lessened from when he led the effort to get the project's first federal attention, Lisk emphasized during her speech, and he would not support any legislation only looking at the sites identified by the Department of Ecology.

"As legislation is considered, Doc will place a priority on consulting and talking with local people directly affected by the need for more storage," Lisk said.

"He's inclined to allow a broad analysis of potential storage options, rather than a review restricted by overly specific, pre-determined conditions."

While Hastings has not yet made formal comments to the bureau, Lisk said, he is encouraged the delivery options reviewed allow for the future full development of the Columbia Basin Project.

"When you approach water issues in the Columbia Basin and in Eastern Washington, you must strive to not pit farmer against farmer," Lisk said.

"Division among you creates opportunities for groups hostile to agriculture and who seek to control the rivers and water. It's vital the South District not have their water deliveries impacted or put at risk as help is sought and provided for Odessa."