A study only for the stock water issue; former Washington wheat grower nominated for USDA post

Washington Ag March 17, 2009 The controversial stock watering exemption to state water law appears headed for a study rather than any bill action this legislative session. Both the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee say they will propose a budget proviso for a study of the stock watering issue between sessions. During a recent interview Washington Cattlemen's Association vice president Jack Field said a study is just what should be done. Field: "I still think it needs to be something that would basically be put on hold, give the public an opportunity to look at it during the interim and then come back in December with agreed upon language. Because this is going to be an enormous change for every operation out there. There is discussion about requiring a meter, which the department currently has the authority to do, but that could be a daily requirement, could be monthly, could be annual. There are a lot of questions out there. Questions about how we address expansion, consolidation, relinquishment. There's too many questions right now and not enough answers." A study is what other ag lobbyists had been aiming for as well. Former eastern Washington wheat grower James Miller has been nominated to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Miller, who served as President of the National Association of Wheat Growers in 1987, is currently Chief of Staff for the National Farmers Union. He previously served as Senior Analyst for Agriculture and Trade on the majority staff of the Senate Budget Committee. I'm Bob Hoff and that's Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.