HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCOFFICE OF COUNTY COMMISSIONEI2S
509-659-3236
,no 11`est Broadwax Avenue. Ritnxilie.. Washinhton 99169
ADAMS
our
'John N. Marshall. District t
Roger L. Hartwig, District 2
cl Terrance J. Thompson, District 3
WAS N t N G T 0 N Patricia,l. Phillips, Clerk of the Board, ExLeutivc Sci-\•ices Nianabcr
July 3, 2020
Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue
Secretary of Interior, David Bernhardt
Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper
Dear Secretaries Esper, Bernhardt and Perdue,
This request has been prepared during this COVID-19 era with limited personal
interaction and during the Fourth of July holiday week. While all the four County
area Commissioners agree with the completion of the Columbia Basin Project it
has proved difficult to obtain a full signature page.
It is so important to complete this request and have it included in the COVID-19
economic recovery response that we request the signatures be included next
week after we all meet in regular open public meetings and complete a proper
signature page.
Respe4fully , ,
6Jo n N Marshall
dams County Commissioner
July 3, 2020
Adams, Franklin, Lincoln and Grant County Commissioners
Eastern Washington State
Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue
Secretary of Interior, David Bernhardt
Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper
RE: EO on Notion's Economic Recoveryfrom the COVID-19 Emergency by Expediting Infrastructure Investments
and OtherAcfivities— Request to be included in Expediting the Delivery of Infrastructure and Other Projects on
Federal Lands.
Dear Secretaries Esper, Bernhardt and Perdue,
The quad counties of Eastern Washington State, Adams, Lincoln, Franklin and Grant request that President Trump
direct his Administration to complete the Columbia Basin Project through an executive order as lined out in the EO
on Nation's Economic Recovery from the COVID-I9 Emergency by Expediting Infrastructure Investments and Other
Activities. Completion of this Project by constructing the East High Canal extends economic recovery far beyond
our 4 county areas or even the state of Washington. The construction on a project of this magnitude spreads
economic recovery throughout the west. Jobs, material and engineering in its current form of development work
could start immediately, it is shovel ready. Nearly 700,000 ac. within the CBP has been fully developed and
irrigated but over 300,000 acres await the infrastructure needed to supply a reliable source of water to agriculture
and the 25 cities and towns it serves. The Columbia Basin Project is Reclamation's largest project in the United
States and has been on the Congressional books for decades, it needs no further Congressional approval, is funded
through USDA and just needs the President's directive to build the East High Canal.
Agriculture here is not just the economy ofthe Northwest, it feeds the entire Pacific Rim and therefore not only
satisfies an economic and humanitarian need, but becomes a world bargaining chip. In the short term, this supplies
jobs immediately stimulating the economy. Ongoing, this continues to provide a strong Ag based economy and
national security element for years into the future. This project has complete support of our Congressional and
Washington State representatives and has bipartisan support.
Please consider that an investment in water infrastructure is an investment in the national economy, food security
and its future.
Respectfully,
Adams County Commissioners:
ver w L 4"",
John N. Marshall Roger C. Hartwig Terrance J. Thompson
Lincoln County Commissioners:
Mark R. Stedman Scott Hutsell Rob Coffman
Franklin County Commissioners:
Brad Peck Robert E. Koch pint Didier
Grant County Commissioners:
Richard Stevens Thomas H. Taylor Cindy Ca
Cc: Congressional Representatives Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers, Murray and Cantwell, Senators Schoesler and
Warnick, Representatives Dye and Dent