Odessa groundwater funding in proposed Senate budget

OLYMPIA — A funding request for a section of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Project has been added to the proposed Senate capital budget. If it’s included in the final capital budget, the EL 22.1 lateral would receive up to $44 million in funding at the request of Ninth District Senator Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. 

The OGWRP is a long-running effort to supply surface water to replace the groundwater wells in use for irrigation in a section of the Columbia Basin Project known as the Odessa Subarea.  

The Senate Ways and Means Committee reviewed the request Thursday afternoon, after press time. If the committee approves it, it will be considered by the whole Senate Saturday.  

“It aims to ensure a stable water supply for farmers, which is crucial to maintaining or even expanding their farming operations in that region. The funding in the Senate capital budget will help this project continue to move forward,” Schoesler said.  

Schoesler, the Republican leader in the capital budget process, said he appreciated the assistance of 13th District Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake.  

“Senator Warnick has been very important in making sure other legislators realize how important the Odessa water project is and helping to ensure the necessary funding,” he said. 

“In the course of developing the Senate capital budget these past few months, I emphasized how important it is to provide strong funding for the Odessa groundwater program and other water programs in Eastern Washington,” Schoesler said. “I’m thankful that the rest of the senators working with me on the capital budget request agreed.” 

The Senate request also provides $53 million for Yakima River Basin Water Supply Program and $13 million for the Yakima-Tieton Canal. The canal was damaged by wildfire. 

The capital budget funds the construction and maintenance of assets statewide, including K-12 and higher education projects, state facilities, parks, water infrastructure and public lands, among other things. 

“(The Senate proposal) lives within our means while doing a good job addressing needs throughout Washington,” Schoesler said. “Many K-12 education projects are funded. It strongly funds fish hatcheries and is a good budget for water projects, as well as housing and other needs.”