Water rights

Eastern Oregon’s Cliff Bentz has been named the Ranking Member on the House’s Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife for the upcoming Congress. The freshman representative says this appointment is beneficial for both the Beaver State and the Northwest. “It ...

As state lawmakers prepare to kick off the 2021 legislative session, the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation said there will a host of issues the Ag community should watch very closely. Braden Jensen, Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs with the IFBF, said property tax reform is one of the top issues the Idaho Ag community and the general population will watch ...

Earlier this week, long time central and eastern Oregon representative Greg Walden took to the House floor one final time to say goodbye to his colleagues. Walden said growing up on a cherry orchard outside of The Dalles taught him to have great respect for farmers and ranchers ...

In the coming weeks, Washington State University will survey owners of irrigated farms across the central portion of the state to get their take on water management and how to use water more efficiently. Joe Cook, Associate Professor at WSU’s School of Economic Sciences said this survey, specifically for farms located in the Okanogan, Methow, Walla Walla, Yakima basins, is part of a larger projec

A water rights issue in Northwest Washington could have long-term and damaging impacts on the rights of farmers across the entire state, that according to Gerald Baron, Executive Director of Save Family Farming. The state Department of Ecology is currently moving toward the adjudication of water rights in the Nooksack Basin in Whatcom County ...

For the first time in roughly 20 years, the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation will have a new CEO when July starts. Zak Miller, a 5th generation farmer from eastern Idaho will take over the position currently filled by Rick Keller, who retires June 30th ...

Many in the Washington Ag community are frustrated with the Department of Ecology.  The state Department of Ecology recently announced it has appointed public employees to represent agriculture on committees that will chart the future allocation of water in seven river basins.  Th...

On Monday, Governor Jay Inslee expanded the drought emergency declaration to cover nearly half of the Evergreen state.  The Department of Ecology said the move was made due to worsened, poor water supply conditions around the state and warmer and drier weather predictions through the summer.  Sn...

On Tuesday, the Benton/Franklin County Superior Court reversed a decision by the Washington Department of Ecology denying a water right transfer proposed by Loyal Pig LLC.  This week’s reversal order not only reinstates the water right transfer previously approved by the Franklin County Water Conservancy Board, but it also prevents Ecology from usurping water law provisions protecting the water ri

From a water and snow perspective, 2018 started off with so much promise, but much of that promise has disappeared.  Jeff Marti with the Washington Department of Ecology says thanks to a warm May, much of the area snowpack was tapped earlier than expected.  Ad...