PL-566 Small Watershed Plan

The Columbia Basin Conservation District, East Columbia Basin Irrigation District, and U.S. legislators are pursuing funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Bill conservation programs, specifically, the Natural Resources Conservation Service PL-566 Watershed Program to help fund the remaining components of the Odessa Ground Water Replacement Program—the pump stations, laterals, and on-farm build outs.

The OGWRP Watershed Planning Project is the starting point for securing federal funding through the NRCS. Implementation will be determined as plans develop to sync OGWRP purposes and landowner investments. The funding will build on the investments received by the State of Washington, Reclamation, and ECBID.

Reclamation signed a memorandum of understanding on Sept. 16, 2022, with the NRCS on the implementation of PL-566 projects on lands and facilities owned by Reclamation. NRCS and partners chose to adopt the Odessa final EIS as a starting basis for their watershed plan. The PL-566 Small Watershed Plan is anticipated to be completed between 2025 and 2027.

Contact

Jennifer Hickenbottom
509- 573-8043
jhickenbottom@usbr.gov

Bureau of Reclamation
Columbia Cascades Area Office
1917 Marsh Road
Yakima, WA 98901-2058


Last Updated: 1/27/23