News & Announcements

Brit Kramer

16 July 2026
Columbia Basin Voices Unite on Capitol Hill

Columbia Basin Voices Unite on Capitol Hill

Columbia Basin Voices Unite on Capitol Hill

This week, a delegation of Columbia Basin Development League advocates traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with congressional leaders and deliver a unified message from organizations across Eastern Washington. A letter signed by agricultural producers, irrigation districts, conservation districts, agricultural businesses, and community partners respectfully requests that Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell support inclusion of language in the Senate Farm Bill designating the Columbia Basin Project within USDA's Western Waters Region Critical Conservation Area, consistent with the House-passed Farm Bill amendment. View sign on letters.

10 July 2026
Kent Smith on Why Our Work Matters

Kent Smith on Why Our Work Matters

CBDL Board Member, Kent Smith, on Why Our Work Matters

The CBDL project is important for a sustainable future for our community. View here.

 

 

 

19 June 2026
Representative Baumgartner Farm Bill Amendment Strengthens Future Funding Opportunities for Columbia Basin Project and OGWRP

Representative Baumgartner Farm Bill Amendment Strengthens Future Funding Opportunities for Columbia Basin Project and OGWRP

Representative Baumgartner Farm Bill Amendment Strengthens Future Funding Opportunities for Columbia Basin Project and OGWRP

The Columbia Basin Development League (CBDL) is applauding Representative Michael Baumgartner for securing language in the House-passed Farm Bill that recognizes the importance of the Columbia Basin Project and strengthens opportunities for future federal conservation and water infrastructure investments throughout the region. Representative Baumgartner's amendment directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to include the Columbia Basin Project area within the Western Waters Region Critical Conservation Area (CCA), a designation that helps agricultural regions compete for targeted conservation, water management, and infrastructure funding through USDA programs. Read full press release.
 

16 June 2026
Aubrey Bettencourt has been nominated by President Trump to serve as U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner

Aubrey Bettencourt has been nominated by President Trump to serve as U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner

Hanford farmer Aubrey Bettencourt has been nominated by President Trump to serve as U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner - the nations largest water agency. 

Bettencourt is a third-generation farmer at Bettencourt Farms, which has a popular pumpkin patch. During Trump's first term, she served as deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of the Secretary, Water and Science Division, where she oversaw water and science policy. Read More

12 June 2026
Groundbreaking Milestone for the EL 80.6 Delivery System

Groundbreaking Milestone for the EL 80.6 Delivery System

Groundbreaking Milestone for the EL 80.6 Delivery System

State leaders, state legislators, irrigation officials and farmers were present on June 7 for the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District's groundbreaking of the EL 80.6 delivery system. This is the 4th Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program system to begin construction. When complete, EL 80.6 will convert nearly 5,900 acres from deep well irrigation to Columbia River surface water.

 

09 June 2026
Columbia Basin Has Merch!

Columbia Basin Has Merch!

We Have CBDL Merch!

Branded hats, shirts, cups, water bottles and more. Check out our NEW STORE.

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