Water

We are seeing more and more stories relating to water or the lack thereof. While the northwest has had a pretty good winter with some good snowpack there are still questions about whether there will be enough. Groups are looking into ways to stretch that water like the recent U.S. Bureau of Reclamation assessment of projected impacts on water resources in the states of Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Oregon and Washington over the next seven decades. It's not just a northwest issue either. A new report by the United Nations Environment Program says almost half of the world's population will suffer severe water stress by 2030. And the report mentions that the agricultural sector accounts for 70 percent of all global freshwater withdrawals. Water problems around the globe are getting a great deal of attention. The U.N.'s World Water Day on March 22nd aimed to bring attention to water issues around the globe. American Farm Bureau's Don Parrish, says that farmers are constantly thinking about water.

PARRISH: I think water overall, whether its quality or availability, are very key and on the tip and the forefront of farmers and ranchers minds. It is something that's important and they recognize that and they strive every day to protect it. Water gives farmers security. Supplementally, it helps us to grow crops and food to make sure consumers have affordably priced food.

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