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Department of Ecology News Release - March 18, 2009
09-066
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is preparing to issue up to 90 new water use permits for the Quincy Basin near the cities of Quincy and Moses Lake, stimulating the economy of eastern Washington.
The market value of the water alone is estimated to be about $60 million.
“This water that will provide an economic shot in the arm for Eastern Washington,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. “Once again, thanks to cooperation from the Bureau of Reclamation, our water management program in the Columbia River Basin is paying off for farms, businesses and communities.”
Ecology will issue unique permits for more than 30,000 acre-feet of “artificially-stored” groundwater (ASGW), water that has accumulated underground over the years from the federal government’s Columbia Basin Project.
Updated 3/20/09: The source of “artificially-stored” groundwater (above) has been clarified in this news release since it was first posted March 18.
Recipients of the water will be primarily irrigators, but other users will include vineyards, dairies, food processing plants, Internet data centers (also known as Internet “server farms”), housing developments, golf courses, resorts, a fish hatchery and municipalities.
Ecology and Reclamation jointly administer the Quincy Basin ASGW permitting program. Earlier this month, Ecology issued 15 new ASGW permits that authorize the use of 2,500 acre-feet of water. Beginning in mid-April, Ecology plans to issue additional permits in batches, and hopes to have all permits issued within six months. Although the permits are free, permit-holders will be required to sign contracts and pay fees to Reclamation for use of the water.
Communities that will benefit economically from the issuance of the water right permits include Quincy, Ephrata, Moses Lake, Warden and George.
The ASGW water use permits are expected to add $23 million to the value of agricultural development in Grant County and $60 million to value of commercial development. These numbers come from an Ecology economic analysis. (For more on the analysis and remarks on the value of the ASGW water, go to: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/hq/qb_perm.pdf. )
“There’s been a huge statewide back log in issuing water rights,” said Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “I’m pleased the department (Ecology) is addressing those needs at this critical time. Farmers and communities desperately need sustainable water sources for future economic growth.”
For Jerry Milbrandt who operates Milbrandt Vineyards with his brother Don, the new Quincy Basin water will mean less reliance on interruptible water rights that can be shut off in drought years.
Milbrandt is one of the largest grape processors in Washington state, operates a winery and also has irrigated land in hay, grain and vegetables. The operation employees 70 full-time employees and the new water will allow Milbrandt to bring even more land into cultivation.
“This will allow us to expand our agricultural base and add more employees, that’s a given,” Milbrandt said.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Partridge, 360-407-7139; (cell) 360-480-5722; (e-mail)
dpar461@ecy.wa.gov
Keith Stoffel, 509-329-3464
Cathy Cochrane, 509-329-3433; (cell) 509-290-0685
For more information: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/wrhome.html
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