Yakima Water Bill

Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell's Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Act of 2016 amendment to the Senate Energy Bill passed the Senate and is moving on to the House. The news is being well received by people in the region according to Washington Department of Ecology communication director, Joye Redfield-Wilder.

REDFIELD-WILDER: For the last 20-30 years, the Yakima Basin has been working to find water solutions so that there's enough water for the farmers, there's enough water for when fish need it and also for the communities - cities up and down the valley. it's been tough. Last year we had a record drought in so many ways. The snow didn't come when we needed it and the farmers were really hurting so it's really great to see this type of collaboration move forward.

The bill directly provides $92 million for the Cle Elum Pool Raise, groundwater recharge projects, Wapato Irrigation Project upkeep and environmental compliance efforts.

REDFIELD-WILDER: This is an important milestone. We have a companion bill that Senator Cantwell is working with Rep. Newhouse and Reichert in the House that looks to do the same thing and hopefully before the end of the year we'll have these projects up and running and funded when they're signed by the President.

And that's Washington Ag Today. I'm Greg Martin, thanks for listening on the Ag Information Network of the West.