Water Management in Drought
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Another drought year has been declared in Washington state, meaning farmers need to be prepared for the potential of less water availability.
Jon DeVaney, president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, says this fourth consecutive drought year is concerning for the industry and beyond …
DeVANEY … “The good news about it being a growing concern and a repeated issue is that it gives policy makers a chance to absorb that knowledge and start thinking about needing to act to address it.”
And, DeVaney says that is happening …
DeVANEY … “Our state Department of Ecology and the governor recently announced a statewide water planning and public input process called ‘Washington’s Water Future.” Where we’re going to have a chance as ag and as other stakeholders around the state to give input on what kinds of investments and changes might be necessary to make our water management and irrigation systems more resilient.”
So, DeVaney says getting this input is important …
DeVANEY … “And that’s why starting with asking the various stakeholders around the state what their concerns are and what they believe their needs are is a good place to start. It’s going to be a heavy lift and it will be expensive, but starting work on planning and identifying it as a priority issue is an important step.”
Again, that is WSTFA president, Jon DeVaney.
