Funding for area water projects in Senate bill
League project director pleased with status
COLUMBIA BASIN - More than $14 million is included in a U.S. Senate spending bill for two water projects considered critical to the Columbia Basin region.
The Columbia Basin Project received more than $13 million, an increase of $3 million, and the Odessa Subarea Special Study received $1 million, an increase of $400,000, according to U.S. Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash.
The funding total represents a combined $3.4 million increase over what was included in the President's budget for the two projects. The funding for these projects will help increase access to surface water resources and improve the reliability of water delivery within the Columbia Basin Project.
The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which passed the full Senate Appropriations Committee last week and will next be considered by the full Senate.
Columbia Basin Development League Project Director Mike Schwisow said an addition of $3 million for the project goes toward a supplemental water route to the Potholes Reservoir, and is the amount of the request made by the league, area irrigation districts, state Department of Ecology and the Washington State Potato Commission this year to move the project forward. The rest is the baseline appropriation for the project ongoing for existing activities.
Overall, the project will probably cost $17 million to $20 million, Schwisow said.
The U.S. House of Representatives version of the bill includes an increase of $1 million, Schwisow explained. Both versions will eventually need to be reconciled through the appropriations process.
"Most everybody we talk to is saying they anticipate Congress will most likely pass a continuing resolution at the start of the current federal fiscal year," Schwisow said. "They probably won't adopt the budget until after the election. That's because President Bush has promised to veto any appropriations bill over the amount he submitted to Congress back in February. This particular bill is over the president's proposal."
Schwisow said the route was necessary on its own to improve water security for the project, but it is also a key piece which lays groundwork for the Odessa Subarea study once completed.
"We're exceptionally pleased the state's congressional delegation has put a high priority not only on the Potholes feed route project, but also continuing funding for the (study) to keep on track and on time," Schwisow said. "We're pleased things are staying on track and it's held as a high priority, and just appreciate the support we're receiving."
"An accessible and sustainable supply of irrigation water is essential to the farmers and economic health of the Columbia Basin region," Murray stated. "From Moses Lake to the Tri-Cities, our farmers and the region rely on the Odessa Subarea Aquifer for drinking water as well as irrigation water. This bill invests in two projects that are focused on solutions to increasing access to surface water resources in the region."