State studying Odessa aquifer

More money allocated

MOSES LAKE - The state Department of Ecology announced a $6 million grant to study ways to refill the Odessa Aquifer.

The study is part of a $46 million package of grants slated for spots along the Columbia River and its tributaries. The money stems from 2006 legislation to find new water sources in the region to improve water supplies during droughts and increase the water flow to help salmon.

Finding new water sources for the region served by the Odessa aquifer is necessary to save about $630 million in annual agriculture sales and about 3,600 jobs, according to the Department of Ecology.

Irrigators are drilling about 2,400 feet and deeper in some areas in order to get water.

"At the rate (the aquifer) is dropping, it's not sustainable," said Jay Manning, ecology's director. "If we don't start the process, it's a moot point."

The study is necessary to start the process of finding out whether or not the aquifer can be refilled.

Mark Booker, the East Columbia Basin Irrigation district's elected director, said he is hopeful that it can be.

Derek Sandison, director of the Office of the Columbia River, said he is scheduling the study now and he is trying to compress it as much as possible.