News Release Archive

Odessa Subarea Special Study will be focus of Open House

Media Contact: Diana Cross, (208) 378-5020, dcross@pn.usbr.gov
Bill Gray, wgray@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: February 14, 2006

Media Advisory

Who: The Bureau of Reclamation

What: A public open house is planned to provide information about the Odessa Subarea Special Study.

When: Feb. 22, between the hours of 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Where: Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Wash. The open house will be held in the Advanced Technologies Education Center (ATEC) located at 7611 Boling Street.

Why: The public will have an opportunity to learn about the study process, requirements, schedule, and related technical studies while also providing feedback and suggestions to Reclamation.

How: For additional information contact the study manager, Ellen Berggren at (208) 378-5090 or studymanager@pn.usbr.gov. The meeting facilities are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Direct requests for sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired, or other auxiliary aids, to Connie Nicolai at (509) 754-0215 by Feb. 15.

Background:

The Odessa Subarea Special Study will investigate the possibility of continuing development of the Columbia Basin Project to deliver project water to lands currently using groundwater in the Odessa Subarea. The declining aquifer is impacting the ability of some farmers to irrigate crops and it presents the potential risk to domestic, commercial, municipal, and industrial water use. Congress funded Reclamation to investigate the issue due to the declining aquifer and related economic impacts.

The Columbia Basin Project was authorized for the irrigation of 1,029,000 acres. The Project currently serves about 671,000 acres in four eastern Washington counties. The multi-purpose project provides irrigation, power production, flood control, municipal water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.