Governor Ferguson Signs Capital Budget, Including $38.5 Million for the EL 22.1

Washington State’s 2025–2027 Capital Budget, signed by Governor Bob Ferguson on May 20, includes $38.5 million for the EL 22.1 delivery system—one of the largest single investments in the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) to date.

Left to Right: Senator Mark Schoesler, Representative Mary Dye, Representative Tom Dent, Senator Judy Warnick, Representative Alex Ybarra

EL 22.1 is designed to shift 34 wells from groundwater to surface water, supporting sustainable irrigation in the Columbia Basin. East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID) and local landowners are working to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will outline next steps, including easement acquisition, environmental compliance, and a full funding strategy.

The Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) is working with the Department of Ecology’s Office of Columbia River, ECBID, and other partners to help determine the best approach for leveraging the state’s investments to secure additional Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding for the OGWRP – similar to the significant federal match awarded during the last biennium.

We would like to acknowledge and thank our legislators for their tremendous effort and support in securing this record state funding for the OGWRP in the 2025-2027 Capital Budget. We especially appreciate Senator Mark Schoesler’s continued leadership and relentless advocacy for the project as a Ranking Member of the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

____