NRCS Awards $9.23 Million to Advance OGWRP's Largest Irrigation System, EL 22.1

October 27, 2026 | Moses Lake, WA

Major federal investment builds on $57 million in state funding and years of collaboration to advance the EL 22.1 irrigation delivery system.

The Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) is thrilled to announce that the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has awarded $9.23 million through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to advance the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program's (OGWRP) EL 22.1 irrigation delivery system and associated on-farm infrastructure.

The award, announced earlier today, was selected through a highly competitive national process, with 249 proposals submitted requesting approximately $2 billion in funding. Only 42 projects were selected nationwide, receiving a combined $325 million. Three projects in Washington state received approximately $30 million, including OGWRP's $9.23 million award for the EL 22.1.

Advancing a Critical Irrigation System

The EL 22.1 is the largest irrigation delivery system currently being advanced through the OGWRP. Once completed, it will transition 17,324 acres of farmland from declining groundwater supplies to Columbia River surface water, retire 34 deep groundwater wells, and conserve approximately 17 billion gallons of groundwater annually. The project will also improve soil health, reduce pumping costs, and help protect groundwater supplies for surrounding communities.

EL 22.1 irrigation delivery system located within the Odessa Subarea in central Washington.

The $9.23 million RCPP federal award builds on $57 million committed by the Washington State Legislature for the EL 22.1 through the Department of Ecology's Office of Columbia River. Together, these investments represent more than $66 million in state and federal support for EL 22.1, helping advance critical infrastructure and reduce the financial burden on agricultural producers.

A Shared Success

This RCPP award represents years of collaboration, advocacy, and commitment from producers, legislators, and project partners working together to secure a sustainable water future for Columbia Basin agriculture and our communities.

NRCS Washington State Conservationist Roylene Comes At Night introduced former NRCS Chief Terry Cosby to EL 22.1 landowners Matt Kagele and Eli Stahl during his 2023 OGWRP visit. Photo by Nathan Gallahan, NRCS-WA.

The award reflects the collective efforts of numerous partners, including the EL 22.1 Landowner Association, East Columbia Basin Irrigation District, Washington State Department of Ecology's Office of Columbia River, Washington State Conservation Commission, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Columbia Basin Development League, Washington State University, Washington State Potato Commission, Spokane and Lincoln County Conservation Districts, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Columbia Basin Sustainable Water Coalition, Washington Association of Wheat Growers, and IRZ Consulting.

CBCD extends its sincere appreciation to Washington's legislators and congressional delegation for their tremendous continued support in advancing the OGWRP. Special thanks also go to NRCS Washington, including State Conservationist Roylene Comes At Night, for her leadership and steadfast commitment to the OGWRP, and to the EL 22.1 producers for their perseverance, significant financial commitments, and dedication to protecting the future of the Columbia Basin.

OGWRP partners, legislators, and landowners gather to discuss progress on the EL 22.1 irrigation delivery system during a recent OGWRP Work Group meeting convened by State Representative Tom Dent.

Columbia Basin Development League members, OGWRP partners, and EL 22.1 producers meet with Jerry Raynor, Director of NRCS's Financial Assistance Programs Division, in Washington, D.C., in February 2026 to discuss the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program and federal funding opportunities.

With this RCPP award, NRCS has committed nearly $70 million to the OGWRP, demonstrating the power of federal, state, and local partnerships to deliver critical infrastructure investments that will benefit the region for generations.

Learn more about OGWRP updates and the program's incredible momentum at the Columbia Basin Development League's Annual Meeting & Conference on November 12 & 13, 2026, in Kennewick, WA.

Learn More About NRCS' RCPP Awards →

USDA Announces More Than $325 Million in RCPP Awards

USDA FY 2026 RCPP Project Selections

OGWRP Partners Submit EL 22.1 RCPP Proposals

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CBCD would like to thank the Washington State Legislature, the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Office of Columbia River, IRZ Engineering and Consulting, the EL 22.1 landowners, and all of the contributing partners who were instrumental in developing this year’s RCPP proposals. CBCD’s ability to coordinate, develop, and submit these proposals was made possible by funding from the Washington State Legislature through the Climate Commitment Act.