East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID) Secretary-Manager Craig Simpson has recently returned from the National Water Resources Association (NWRA) conference in Washington, D.C.
The event drew together industry leaders from around the country to learn more about issues and
policies related to providing clean water to families, farms, businesses and communities throughout the
West. The NWRA is a nonprofit federation of agricultural and municipal water providers, state
associations, and individuals dedicated to the conservation, enhancement, and efficient management of
our nation’s most important natural resource: water. The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District is a
member of NWRA, and Simpson currently serves as the organization’s Vice President.
After the conference, Simpson, Chris Voigt of the WA Potato Commission, and other industry leaders met with several agency partners and federal elected officials and staff. Issues discussed included OGWRP, the PL566 program, Farm Bill funding, Columbia Basin Project completion, the Columbia River Treaty, and Columbia River Adjudication.
Located in central Washington State, the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District is the largest district in the state, with authorization to irrigate 472,000 acres. Currently, 169,000 acres are developed and managed by 4,500 landowners within the federal Columbia Basin Project. Additionally, the District is involved in the development of 87,000 acres associated with OGWRP. The District provides a reliable supply of water that irrigates the cropland that produces food shipped domestically and internationally.
After the conference, Simpson, Chris Voigt of the WA Potato Commission, and other industry leaders met with several agency partners and federal elected officials and staff. Issues discussed included OGWRP, the PL566 program, Farm Bill funding, Columbia Basin Project completion, the Columbia River Treaty, and Columbia River Adjudication.
Located in central Washington State, the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District is the largest district in the state, with authorization to irrigate 472,000 acres. Currently, 169,000 acres are developed and managed by 4,500 landowners within the federal Columbia Basin Project. Additionally, the District is involved in the development of 87,000 acres associated with OGWRP. The District provides a reliable supply of water that irrigates the cropland that produces food shipped domestically and internationally.
