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The Odessa Subarea Special Study will investigate the possibility of continuing development of the Columbia Basin Project to deliver project water to lands currently using groundwater in the Odessa Subarea. The aquifer is declining to such an extent that the ability of farmers to irrigate their crops is at risk and domestic, commercial, municipal, and industrial uses and water quality are also affected. In response to the public’s concern about the declining aquifer and associated economic and other effects, Congress has provided funding to Reclamation to investigate the problem. The State of Washington has agreed to partner with Reclamation, providing funding and collaborating on various technical studies.
What alternatives will Reclamation investigate?
Reclamation has not identified specific alternatives at this time, but will focus on options that:
- reduce irrigation use of the Odessa Subarea aquifer;
- maximize the use of existing infrastructure capabilities;
- do not preclude full development of the Columbia Basin Project in the future;
- are economically justified, financially feasible, and environmentally acceptable; and
- can be studied with available funding.
Reclamation will not address the full development of the Columbia Basin Project at this time.
What is the study area?
The study will focus on lands currently irrigated with groundwater in Adams and Grant Counties and a small portion of Franklin County. The study area is within the Columbia Basin Project boundary and is generally defined by the area bounded on the west by the Project’s East Low Canal, on the east by the City of Lind and extending north to Wilson Creek and south to the Connell area. Previous Reclamation studies have determined these lands to have irrigation development potential. They are also located within the Odessa groundwater subarea as designated by the Washington Department of Ecology.
What documents will be prepared?
Reclamation will publish several technical reports and other documents describing the decision-making process. The agency will eventually prepare a joint environmental impact statement and feasibility-level planning report that will describe the alternatives considered, the analysis of these alternatives, and selection of an agency preferred alternative. The planning report documents the economic studies that will be conducted to evaluate the financial and economic feasibility of alternatives. Consultation under the Endangered Species Act may require preparation of a biological assessment.
How long will this study take?
The study is anticipated to take about five years to complete. During this time, Reclamation and partners will begin to identify and evaluate engineering concepts, develop and evaluate detailed alternatives, and finally conduct environmental and economic analyses to select a preferred alternative. Reclamation is anticipating that a Feasibility-level Planning Report/Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be completed sometime in 2010.
How can you be involved?
We invite and encourage you to participate by attending the February 22 open house in Moses Lake, Washington, where you can obtain more information about the study, meet managers and technical experts, and share your thoughts and ideas. If you are unable to attend the open house, you may contact Ellen Berggren, Study Manager, with written comments or questions.
Ellen Berggren,
Study Manager
Bureau of Reclamation
1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100
Boise , Idaho 83706
studymanager@pn.usbr.gov
(208) 378-5090
(
208) 378-5102 FAX
There will be numerous opportunities during the five-year length of the study to attend public meetings, review written information, and provide us with your thoughts. We will notify you of these future opportunities.
Reclamation’s Columbia Basin Project
The Columbia Basin Project, located in central Washington, was authorized for the irrigation of 1,029,000 acres. Currently, the Project serves about 671,000 acres in Grant, Lincoln, Adams, and Franklin Counties. The multi-purpose project provides irrigation, power production, flood control, municipal water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Irrigated acreage was developed primarily in the 1950s and 1960s, with some acreage added sporadically until 1985. |
