WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 14, 2018) –– Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) issued the following statements after the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) recently released its FY19 Distribution of Additional Funding that includes $7.1 million to the Columbia Basin Project Ephrata office, allocating up to $2 million for design and oversight to the Odessa Ground Water Replacement Program (OGWRP).

“The Odessa Ground Water Replacement Project is critical to ensuring our region has access to the water needed to grow our crops and fuel our economy,” said McMorris Rodgers. “This announcement of $7 million in funding for the Columbia Basin Project, including $2 million for the Odessa aquifer, will help continue to meet our water infrastructure needs. Thank you to the Bureau of Reclamation for their continued commitment to Eastern Washington farmers and our communities at large.”

“Every dollar of additional support for the Columbia Basin Project makes a difference for the future of water users facing depletion of the Odessa Aquifer,” said Rep. Newhouse. “The Bureau’s announcement of up to $2 million for the project is very helpful, and I will continue to make the case for the federal government to support this critical investment on behalf of farmers, ranchers, and water users who are counting on a replacement water source.”

NOTE: In May, BOR announced nearly $2 million in new funds for the Columbia Basin Project Ephrata/Pasco Pump Lateral and Potholes Supplemental Feed Route, including $750,000 for oversight and design for a pumping plant and pipeline delivery system for the Odessa Ground Water Replacement Program.

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