ECBID AND PARTNERS SEEK FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE USDA NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program

The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID), along with its partners, are seeking funds to construct surface water distribution systems to replace acre for acre groundwater irrigation on approximately 70,000 acres in the Odessa Subarea including 164,000 acre feet of new diversions from the Columbia River. Funding is being sought through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program authorized by Public Law 83-566 (P.L. 83-566). The distribution systems of ECBID’s proposed project, located in Central Washington, is part of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) aiming to support agriculture but reduce the dependence on the Odessa Subarea aquifer to reduce it’s decline in groundwater levels.

ECBID is sponsoring the project utilizing NRCS, the Bureau of Reclamation, and Washington State Department of Ecology funding and technical support. In addition, the Columbia Basin Conservation District, Farmers Conservation Alliance, Parametrix, and Highland Economics are participating as planning team consultants. To comply with the requirements of the P.L. 83-566 program and be eligible for NRCS federal funding, the ECBID and partners are developing a Watershed Plan.

ECBID’s scoping meeting, along with the associated scoping period, will be the public’s first opportunity to participate. The main purpose of the scoping meeting and period is to inform the community and interested on the efforts of ECBID, along with its partners, to develop a Watershed Plan to support the continuation of OGWRP if funds are authorized by NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program. To assist planners in the identification of significant affected ecosystem services and stakeholders impacted by the proposed federal investment, ECBID will seek public input resource issues and effects of the investment to the continued implementation of OGWRP.

The Scoping Meeting will take place on July 16, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the City of Moses Lake’s Civic Center Council Chamber at 401 Balsam Street in Moses Lake, Washington. The public will be informed about the proposed project and will have the chance to submit comments. Following the meeting, a recorded presentation will be available here.

From June 26, 2024 through August 9, 2024, public comments may be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., submitted online here, submitted over the phone at (541)716-6085, or mailed to the Farmers Conservation Alliance, 102 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031.

Upon the closure of the public scoping period, a draft Watershed Plan will be developed by ECBID and its partners. Upon completion of the draft, the public will have another opportunity to review the draft and provide input. Once the Watershed Plan is complete, the funding application for the construction of irrigation improvements can be submitted through NRCS’ Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program authorized by P.L. 83-566.

For more information, visit the Odessa Watershed Program here or the Washington NRCS website here.

For More Information Contact:
Contact: Jules Riley, NRCS
Water Resources Planning Specialist
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: (509) 323-2941