HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCC (002)February 27, 2023
The Honorable Senator Patty Murray
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
GRANT COUNTY
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
P O Box 37
EPHRATA WA 98823
(509) 754-2011
RE: Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS)
Requesting Entity: Grant County
Project Name: Replace two Bridges: 247 Rd W - SE & 248 Rd 11 - SE
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The Grant County Commissioners are writing in support of the Congressionally Directed Spending
request submitted by Grant County Public Works for a federal investment of $9,943,746 for the
replacements of the two bridges. The cost to replace bridge 247 W Rd - SE is $4,860,149. The cost to
replace bridge 248 Road 11 -SE is $5,083.597. Grant County submitted a federal investment request in
2022, however, our project was not selected.
Bridge replacements are a critical part of the Odessa Ground Water Replacement Program (OGWRP). As
an aquifer rescue mission, OGWRP is transferring the source of irrigation water for up to 87,000 acre --
137 square mile --of highly productive land from a depleting aquifer to a sustainable source of surface
water. This will preserve over 85 billion gallons of water, annually, for rural environmental, municipal,
and industrial purposes (enough for over 45,000 households) within the federally -owned Columbia Basin
Project (CBP) while maintaining the irrigated agricultural economy of an entire region.
Grant County Washington has a population of over 100,000 residents. Grant County is the number one
producer of potatoes in the nation. This project is critical to the vitality of our region. The constituents and
stakeholders are depending on our collaborative efforts. The support is overwhelming, due to what is at
stake. Our County manages 2,800 miles of farm to market roads. Farming is a way of life in our County
and the nation benefits from our mass production. Irrigation and aquifers are key to our success. Some
cities including Moses Lake are considering emergency measures due to depleting aquifers. The ability to
attract industry and development to our county is vulnerable without your support.
The Columbia Basin Projects supports 65,900 jobs, generates $4 billion in annual labor income, generates
$2.66 billion in annual crop production value, generates $2.67 billion in local animal production and food
processing. In addition, the Columbia Basin Projects attracts over one million recreation visits to Grant
County.
As part of OGWRP, the East Low irrigation Canal has been widened to accommodate additional water
deliveries to deep well irrigators awaiting surface water. However, areas of the canal around existing
bridges have not yet been widened and act as a bottle neck preventing OGWRP deliveries as intended and
threatening water contracts. Specifically, requested federal funds would be used by Grant County to
Danny E. Stone Rob Jones Cindy Carter
District 1 District 2 District 3
"TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDSy SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES? WHILE FOSTERING
A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT."
improve two of eight county road bridges in Grant and Adams Counties which must be lengthened to
accommodate increased canal capacity and prevent curtailment of water contracts, starting with municipal
and industrial users.
The Grant and Adams counties, East Columbia Basin Irrigation District, the Bureau of Reclamation, and
members of the Washington congressional delegation are working together to accomplish bridge
improvements, while many more stakeholders voice support.
As Congress considers projects included in transportation funding, please support the 247 Rd W -
SE & 248 Rd 11 -SE bridge replacement project in the amount of $9,943,746 along with two other
OGWRP bridge requests in this fiscal year which will be part of requests made to other members of
the Washington delegation to ensure Grant and Adams counties' region -wide strategy and
coordination can be accomplished and the aquifer rescue mission can proceed as intended.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF GRANT COUNTY
Rob nes, Chair
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Cc: Grant County Public Works
CO SIONE
VA 111
Cindy Ca r, Vice -Chair
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Danny .Stone, Member