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Department of Ecology News Release - September 28 2007
07-285
YAKIMA - The state's efforts to meet current and future water needs in the Columbia River Basin will be showcased during several open houses and conferences scheduled throughout Eastern Washington.
Open houses are planned for 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the Agriplex at the Okanogan County Fairgrounds in Okanogan, and Oct. 18 at the Red Lion Columbia Center in Kennewick.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is leading the effort to implement legislation passed in 2006, directing the agency to develop water supplies in support of municipal, economic and environmental values through conservation, storage and voluntary regional agreements.
"These open houses will give people the opportunity to get updated on our progress and learn about grant funding opportunities for conservation and storage projects," explained Dan Haller, Ecology's Columbia River water program manager.
Columbia River staff also will participate in the Columbia Basin Development League Conference on Oct. 30 at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake and at the Lake Roosevelt Forum on Nov. 14 at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane.
Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Legislature have authorized $200 million in support of water conservation, storage and other water infrastructure projects.
During the open houses, staff will share information about current water supplies, future water needs and opportunities for meeting those needs. Grants are available for qualifying water conservation and storage projects, both large and small.
Projects that might qualify for funding include surface and underground water storage projects, water works and infrastructure improvements, and other water conservation projects.
Studies are already under way to develop new water supplies for both in-stream and out-of-stream benefits. They include work to build a supplemental feed route to the Potholes Reservoir, draw additional water from Lake Roosevelt, an aquifer storage proposal by the city of Kennewick and a storage proposal on the Similkameen River by the Okanogan Public Utility District.
More information is available online at www.ecy.wa.gov, click on the Managing our Water icon.
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Media Contacts: Joye Redfield-Wilder, media relations, (509) 575-2610 Tim Hill, Water Resources, (509) 454-4241
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
