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Odessa Subarea Comment Period Extended by Matthew Weaver Capital Press, December 30, 2010

The comment period for the Odessa Subarea Special Study draft environmental impact statement has been extended to Jan. 31.

The study focuses on the feasibility and environmental consequences of replacing ground water in the Odessa Subarea with surface water from the Columbia Basin Project. The ground water is used to irrigate roughly 102,600 acres.

The study, by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Washington State Department of Ecology, looks at several alternatives.

John Redding, public affairs specialist for the bureau's regional office in Boise, Idaho, said they want to ensure the public has an opportunity to review the draft and submit comments.

"This is an additional chance to make sure the time frame is a little more flexible so citizens have an opportunity to have their say," he said.

The extension of the comment period is in response to several requests.

"The only thing the federal government and state government are concerned about is making sure the public has an opportunity to understand what is going on," he said.

Comments may be submitted to 509-575-5848, ext. 603; by mail to study manager Chuck Carnohan at the bureau at 1917 Marsh Road, Yakima, WA 98901-2058; by fax to 509-454-5650 or by e-mail to odessa@usbr.gov