Latest news with #ECBID
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Money allocated for irrigation project north of I-90
Apr. 30—MOSES LAKE — About $44 million in state funding will be allocated to a section of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Project as part of the Washington Senate's capital budget. The budget was approved Sunday. The allocation comes with the proviso that it be spent on one section of the project, EL 22.1. The OGWRP project is designed to convert farms that use groundwater for irrigation to surface water. Most of the property that would be affected is considered to be part of the Odessa aquifer. The land that would be served by the new canal is east of Moses Lake and north of Warden in Grant and Adams counties. The irrigation water would be provided by the East Columbia Irrigation District, and Jon Erickson, ECBID development coordinator, said there are still some questions to be answered about how the irrigation district will and can proceed. "We don't have a clear direction on how to move forward," Erickson said. The allocation and the stipulations around it will be reviewed by the ECBID directors, beginning with their May 7 meeting, Erickson said. The EL 22.1 Landowners Association, which was involved in obtaining the funding, said the project is fully designed. "Construction would begin early next year, and the timing depends somewhat on when the public funding is made available," said an EL 22.1 spokesperson in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. The project will receive about $40 million in matching funds from area farmers, according to a press release from Ninth District Senator Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. Schoesler said he worked with 13th District Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake. "With this capital budget funding and the matching money from growers, this project is ready to start," Warnick said. "(The landowner group) is in the process of obtaining the matching funding and with the public funding now allocated, the private matching funding should happen in 2026," the spokesperson said. "(The private funding) could be used in later phases as the legislature included in the budget proviso that the EL 22.1 Project could be done in phases." The project would be the first in the groundwater replacement area north of Interstate 90, according to the landowner group. Some sections of the project south of I-90 can't have water delivered due to the need to widen the canal, which will require widening some bridges along the canal's course. Planning and design are underway on the first bridge, with construction scheduled to begin in October after the end of the irrigation season. The canal and bridges north of I-90 were widened about half a century ago, the EL 22.1 spokesman said, so there's capacity for additional water delivery. "Consequently, work on EL 22.1 can begin as surface water delivery is assured," the spokesman said.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ECBID's Bischoff promoted to deputy assistant manager of operations and maintenance
Mar. 27—OTHELLO — The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District has announced the promotion of Bobby Bischoff to deputy assistant manager of operations and maintenance. A veteran of the ECBID with 15 years of service, Bischoff previously held the role of special projects administrator. "I'm grateful for this opportunity and excited to take on a new role that supports the district and its landowners," Bischoff said. "I've learned a lot in my time at ECBID, and I look forward to continuing my learning and serving in an expanded capacity." Born in Moses Lake and a graduate of Big Bend Community College, Bischoff began his journey with the ECBID as a temporary canal maintenance worker shortly after graduating high school. Over the years, he steadily ascended through the ranks, taking on roles such as ditch rider, relief rider and eventually transitioning to Othello as an assistant watermaster. His commitment and work ethic earned him the position of Othello watermaster before he ultimately served as special projects administrator, according to a statement from the district. The new role, deputy assistant manager of operations and maintenance, has been established to allow for increased leadership within the ECBID's operational team. In his new position, Bischoff aims to manage various projects while closely collaborating with John McCourtie, the veteran operations and maintenance assistant manager. Craig Simpson, the district secretary-manager, praised Bischoff's promotion as beneficial for both the ECBID and its stakeholders in a statement "Bobby has shown tremendous initiative and thoughtfulness, bringing a strong work ethic to the table. I have no doubt that he will thrive in this position," Simpson wrote in a statement. The ECBID is the largest irrigation district in the state, authorized to irrigate about 472,000 acres of cropland. Currently, the district has around 169,000 acres developed and managed by approximately 4,500 landowners under the federal Columbia Basin Project. The ECBID works to deliver a reliable water supply critical for the local agricultural economy that produces food for both domestic and international markets, according to a statement from the district. "Working at ECBID has been transformative for me," he said. "As a kid, I didn't realize how crucial the canals are until I began working with them. They represent a vital support system for agriculture and the entire community." As for his specific goals in the new role, Bischoff expressed a commitment to maintaining productive relationships with landowners and ensuring the operation of the irrigation infrastructure remains efficient. His approach involves continuing to foster open communication with stakeholders and addressing the expectations set by the seasoned leadership he is succeeding. "Continuing the relationships that John McCourtie has built over the years will be vital in my new role," Bischoff said. "We need to maintain the infrastructure and ensure it meets the needs of our landowners." Bischoff underscored that the work at ECBID significantly impacts the local economy. "We deliver a sustainable water supply for all landowners, which in turn supports the crops grown here," he said. The challenges in Bischoff's new position are considerable, with aging infrastructure being a primary concern. "It's a cliché term now, but it's real," he said. "The systems were built in the 1950s, and we must maintain and operate them effectively to deliver water daily during the irrigation season without interruptions." In addition to his operational goals, Bischoff is excited about upcoming projects at ECBID, including the EL 864 project, which aims to add another 5450 acres to the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program. Bischoff said the new canal is 7.45 miles long. The district aims for initial water delivery by April 1 and is planning an opening ceremony for this expansion. "We have a lot of projects on the docket, and I look forward to sharing them with everyone," Bischoff said.
