Irrigation district selected for program

OTHELLO — The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District has been selected as one of 18 for a USDA water conservation program in the Western U.S.

The USDA has allocated $400 million through its Western Water Framework program to help irrigators upgrade water-saving technologies for farmers.

The funding is expected to conserve up to 50,000 acre-feet in water use across 250,000 acres of irrigated land in production.

Selected irrigation districts and participating producers are required to ensure continued commodity production in the areas where water consumption is reduced, USDA officials said, noting contracts are still being finalized.

The agreements will include the details of individual district’s water-saving strategies, commodities to be produced and specific budgets. Following the finalization of those awards, producers within the participating districts will work directly through their irrigation districts to participate.

“We have always supported water conservation efforts and look forward to leveraging this funding to further support our landowners and producers,” irrigation district Secretary-Manager Craig Simpson said. “Once final details are provided by USDA, we’ll get to work on implementation of the program.