Central Washington Organizations Call for EL 22.1 Funding

County officials, cities, ports, economic development councils, agricultural associations, farmers, businesses and community institutions, have formally expressed their strong support for the EL 22.1 Surface Water Irrigation Project.  They are urging the Washington Legislature and Governor Bob Ferguson to approve nearly $45 million in infrastructure funding allocated in Senate Capital Budget Bill.

Supporters say the EL 22.1 Project is a cornerstone of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, designed to combat groundwater depletion in the Odessa Aquifer Subarea.  With nearly 100% of its design and engineering completed, the project is ready for construction and will provide a stable, long-term surface water irrigation system to farmers and communities in parts of Grant, Adams, and Lincoln Counties.

Supporters says this work will do a variety of things to help those in central Washington, including: 

• Preserving farmland: Irrigating thousands of acres and supporting over 70 farm families.
• Boosting economic growth: Creating jobs in construction, engineering, and agricultural operations, while strengthening agribusiness and attracting food processing investments.
• Reducing energy costs: Eliminating groundwater pumping will conserve over 52,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually.
• Ensuring water sustainability: Removing 34 wells from operation will save 51,972 acre-feet (17 billion gallons) of groundwater each year, a critical step toward aquifer restoration. 

Thirty-five (35) letters of support have been submitted by a diverse array of public and private entities, demonstrating widespread regional backing, including: 

  Local Government & Public Agencies: 

• Adams County Commissioners
• City of Ritzville
• Town of Odessa 
• Town of Lind
• City of Harrington
• Adams County Department of Public Works 

Economic & Business Organizations: 

• Adams County Development Council
• Lincoln County Economic Development Council
• Grant County Economic Development Council
• Inland Northwest Partners
• Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce
• Port of Moses Lake
• Port of Warden 

Utilities & Infrastructure: 

• Grant County Public Utility District
• Avista Utilities
• Vantage Data Centers 

Agriculture & Farming Interests: 

• Washington Farm Bureau
• Odessa Trading Company
• Various individual farmers in the Odessa Subarea 

Manufacturing & Industry: 

• Stoess Manufacturing Inc.
• RDO Equipment
• Columbia Basin Railroad 

Educational & Community Institutions: 

• Big Bend Community College
• People for People
• Samaritan Healthcare 

Supporters add funding the EL 22.1 Project is "essential for ensuring sustainable water access, protecting rural economies, and strengthening Washington’s food supply chain."

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