Eastern WA farmers to benefit from greater access to the state’s water resources
By Dan Thesman on Monday, March 18th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Legislation authored by Rep. Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy) to improve the use of state water resources for Eastern Washington farmers has been signed by the governor. House Bill 1752 allows the Bureau of Reclamation to request a change in the number of areas that may be irrigated in the Columbia Basin.
“With the technology that we install in the fields, we know exactly how much water is going into that soil and the plants get exactly what they need when they need it,” Dye said. “So, we’re not wasting water – we’re being very precise with the way we use our water.”
Dye explains by replacing failing deep wells with a new surface water delivery system, farmers could use cell phones and field sensors to determine where and when to irrigate.
“We’re not your grandpas farmer – we’re something new and different – and the water that we use goes to feed a hungry world in the most efficient manner possible,” she said.
Dye adds that the crops grown in the Columbia Basin produce the equivalent of the annual groceries purchased by nearly nine million Americans.
