Kennewick Irrigation District Looking to Transfer Title from Bureau of Reclamation

The Kennewick Irrigation District is looking to take more direct control over its assets by beginning a title transfer process with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

District Manager Charles Freeman said about 45 percent of their serviced land is agriculture and this could be a big benefit.

“I think the impact would be positive cause it would be easier to control our costs. For the consumer, at the end of the day, if anything we’re going to be more efficient.”

Freeman also noted that the Federal Government, under the Trump Administration, is looking to get a lot of current federal oversight in the hands of local jurisdictions which is best for everyone.

“You remove a full layer of federal bureaucracy, the only thing that can happen is that things will get more efficient and things may cost less.”

There is no timetable on how long the process will take. Freeman said another district that did this took eight years to complete the deal, but he’s hopeful with the Trump Administration it will go more quickly.

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