CSRIA: Ecology Delays Prevent Permanent Housing For Farm Workers

The Columbia–Snake River Irrigators Association is urging leaders in the state of Washington to engage, over what it calls lengthy delays in groundwater permitting that are holding up permanent housing for farmworkers.

The group says the Washington Department of Ecology's Office of Columbia River has stalled fully mitigated water permit applications needed for new homes in the eastern portion of the state.  CSRIA said recent interactions with OCR highlight several systemic issues: 

• Abrupt cancellation of scheduled resolution meetings, including a recent meeting intended to finalize permit conditions. 
• Issuance of a non‑functional “preliminary permit” that independent hydrology experts have described as lacking technical foundation and inconsistent with standard groundwater permitting practice. 
• Failure to provide any internal technical review documentation, despite years of analysis and repeated requests from applicants and consultants. 
• Disregard for the Governor’s stated priority of expanding permanent farmworker housing, including water‑supply planning guidance identifying such housing as a statewide need. 
• Inconsistent and shifting explanations from OCR staff regarding water availability, testing requirements, and internal decision‑making criteria. 

CSRIA said these delays are preventing agricultural workers from moving into stable, permanent housing.  The Association added the project would strengthen the farm workforce and rural communities while supporting the state's housing goals.

Photo: Glenn Vaagen

The group is now calling on Governor Bob Ferguson's office and lawmakers to intervene and move the permitting process forward.

“Washington has made clear its commitment to expanding permanent farmworker housing,” stated Darryll Olsen of CSRIA. “Ecology must align its actions with that commitment. These delays are unacceptable and must be corrected immediately.” 

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