Odessa Subarea Special Study

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Ecology are investigating continued phased development of the Columbia Basin Project. The investigation, known as the Odessa Subarea Special Study, focuses on project development for the purpose of replacing groundwater currently used for irrigation in the Odessa Ground Water Management Subarea with surface water. The five year study began in 2006, and will conclude with a planning report and the appropriate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) documents. While this is not a storage study, alternatives include provisions for storage.

Odessa Area (USBR image from 9/2006 Special Study)

Aquifers in the Odessa Subregion are declining. Groundwater is currently being depleted to such an extent that water must be pumped from great depths. Pumping depths are 750 feet in some areas, and well depths are as great as 2,100–2,400 feet. Well drilling costs and pumping water from this depth have resulted in expensive power costs and water quality concerns such as high water temperatures and high sodium concentrations. The ability of farmers to irrigate their crops is at risk. Domestic, commercial, municipal, and industrial uses and water quality are also affected.

Those irrigating with wells of lesser depth live with uncertainty about future water supplies. A recent study conducted by Washington State University concluded that aquifer decline could cost Adams, Franklin, Grant, and Lincoln counties as much as $630 million dollars annually in regional sales, a loss of 3,600 jobs, and a loss of $211 million in regional income.

Odessa Study Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Reclamation is preparing an EIS in cooperation with Ecology to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The EIS will look at alternatives for delivering surface water to replace current groundwater irrigation. The alternatives include construction to expand the capacity of existing facilities or construction of new canals, siphons, tunnels, pumping plants, and piped laterals. The proposed infrastructure is part of the original development plan for the Columbia Basin Project. Additional diversions will be required from the Columbia River above current diversions for the Columbia Basin Project to provide the replacement surface water supply. Reclamation is examining several options to provide replacement water including modifying operations at Banks Lake, through additional drawdown or a two-foot operational raise, and construction of a new 127,000 acre-foot reservoir in Rocky Coulee. All water supply options can be configured to work with the proposed alternatives; several water supply options may be necessary to provide a sufficient replacement water supply.

Odessa Study EIS Scoping Report

From August 19 to September 19, 2008, Reclamation and Ecology held a public comment period to gather input on the scope of the EIS. In addition to receiving written comments by mail, the agencies accepted comments at public meetings held in Moses Lake and Coulee Dam.

Reclamation and Ecology have prepared a report that summarizes the major public comments received during this scoping period. The comments will be used to assist in:

Identifying the significant issues relevant to the proposed action.
Identifying those elements of the environment that could be affected by the proposed action.
Formulating alternatives for the proposed action.
Determining the appropriate environmental documents to be prepared.

The Odessa Subarea Special Study, Environmental Impact Statement, Scoping Summary Report can be downloaded from the Study website. Paper copies of the report are available by contacting Kim McCartney, Study Manager, at 509-575-5848 extension 370 or StudyManager@pn.usbr.gov.