BOR to Release Odessa Aquifer Study

Columbia Basin Herald - BY CHRYSTAL DOUCETTE

"COLUMBIA BASIN - Constructing a fix for depleting aquifer levels in Odessa could start in 2010. The Bureau of Reclamation presented four alternatives in a draft study for replacing water in the Odessa Sub-Area Aquifer Wednesday to the Columbia Basin Development League. The study area is 121,000 acres of land irrigated with groundwater. The final study will be released Sept. 29. Study Manager Ellen Berggren said an appraisal of the options takes six months to a year, and a feasibility study takes about three years. After those studies are complete, the chosen project needs funding approval from Congress. When the funding is obtained, contracts can be put out and construction can begin."