Importance of Columbia Basin Project Extends Beyond Agriculture

The Columbia Basin Project, established just before World War II is often seen as a farming project for the Inland Northwest.  But Wednesday’s Tri-City Chamber luncheon in Pasco will show that while the Ag community has benefited from the federal project, farmers are not the only ones.

“This particular Bureau of Reclamation project is the biggest in the country," Columbia Basin Development League Executive Director, Vicky Scharlau.  "And it was intended from the very beginning to convert waste land into suitable land for habitation, but also for cultivation.”

Scharlau pointed out not only did the Columbia Basin project allow communities such as the Tri-Cities to be established and flourish, it performs flood mitigation that allowed Portland and other towns to stay on the map.  She points out the perception that this critically important project does little outside of agriculture is limited.

“The transportation to and from the farm, all of the container manufacturing, all of the storage you need, all of the food processing that happens, once that product leaves the farm," Scharlau added.  All of those benefits, happen off the Columbia Basin Project or in communities within the Columbia Basin Project, like Othello, Warden, or Moses Lake.”

Scharlau added the Columbia Basin Project, which has been developed in stages is not quite done, and the challenge today is to keep the political will moving forward to secure needed funding.  To learn more about how important the Columbia Basin Project is for the entire Inland Northwest, and the needed funding, attend Wednesday’s luncheon in Pasco.

The deadline to RSVP for tickets is Friday.  Click Here to purchase ticket's for Wednesday's event.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com