Council favors Columbia Basin Project completion

RITZVILLE - The City Council authorized Mayor Gary Cook to write a letter to the Adams County commissioners voicing support for a second to Commissioner John Marshall's motion to attend a future joint meeting of Eastern Washington County Commissioners and Northwest Seaport Alliance.

The motion was made following an appeal by Glenn R. Stockwell, Chairman of the Washington State Economic Development Non-Profit Corporation, for the city to support Marshall's motion.

Marshall moved for the Board to write a letter of support for the fast track completion of the Columbia Basin Project and willingness to attend a meeting with the Northwest Seaport Alliance, but it failed for lack of a second vote. In a letter to Stockwell dated Aug. 27, 2019, Patricia Phillips, Clerk of the Board, said no action would be taken in the matter.

Stockwell also obtained letters from the town of Washtucna, stating they support the fast track of the Columbia Basin Project; and Lind Mayor Paula Bell asking the commissioners to "support each other the best that you can for the benefit of the whole Adams County."

"Maybe, in a more appropriate timing; another motion, with a second, can be made-leading to a vote," Bell wrote.

Stockwell said the Northwest Seaport Alliance is an interlocal agreement between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

"They are interested in putting down the entire project," Stockwell said.

The Columbia Basin Project began with the allocation of funds for Grand Coulee Dam in 1933, and was originally intended by Franklin D. Roosevelt to irrigate 1,100,000 acres. The project was left about half unfinished after enthusiasm for it died down in the 1960s.

"The project has been sitting on the shelf of history. Right now, we've got the best leader to finish it," said Stockwell, adding the project has been brought before President Trump by Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

"John's been waiting over five months to get a second. I've taken it upon myself to grab the bull by the horns and go get the letters to force the issue," Stockwell told councilmembers. "It only takes two people to make things happen at the commissioners office, so I hope you would fall in line with the City of Lind and Washtucna and write a letter from the city requesting that they provide John with his second to attend the meeting."

Stockwell said he was arranging the meeting to take place with the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, and county commissioners of Eastern Washington.

"It will be a summit, then, for both commissions, east and west. One works the water and the other provides the food. "I think it's important to put the summit together and get all parties to the table so we can get to working on the entire project," Stockwell said. "It's an important issue. We need to get the water all the way across the project."

Currently, about 671,000 acres are irrigated out of the original 1,100,000 acres planned.

"Water is life. We live in the desert. It's the most important thing there is in every aspect," City Councilman Dennis Chamberlain said. "However, we also want to remember there are farmers out there who don't want it."

"Well you have to understand where it was actually scheduled to come to. It wasn't scheduled to come to Ritzville at any point," said City Councilmember Michelle Plumb.

"The water won't come into Ritzville, but it will come relatively close," Chamberlain said.

Councilmember Mike Schrag motioned the City of Ritzville to write the letter in favor of Marshall's motion at the county, seconded by Mark Weigard. The motion was passed with all in favor except Scott Yeager, who abstained from voting.