02/10/05 Black Rock cost; tsunami and hops

02/10/05 Black Rock cost; tsunami and hops

Washington Ag February 10, 2005 The Black Rock Reservoir project that would divert Columbia River water into a reservoir that would be used for Yakima area agriculture to save Yakima River water for endangered fish, is technically feasible, but would likely cost from three-and-half billion to four-billion dollars. That's what the Bureau of Reclamation says in a report released this week and that cost is double the first price estimates for the project. Bureau officials will be meeting with the state and other interested parties to determine if their should be further studies on Black Rock. Public meetings will also be scheduled. A Reclamation decision on whether to continue studies is expected by this fall. Washington's hop growers might feel a ripple effect of that tsunami that recently hit the Indian Ocean. Hops, an ingredient in beer, are strung up on 18 foot high wires using twine. Ann George, administrator of the Washington Hop Commission, explained the tsunami connection to a House Committee this week in Olympia; George: "This year is kind of an interesting situation with the tsunami. Where does our twine come from? Sri Lanka. And getting twine this year will be a big issue and we know it will be much more expensive if we can get the supplies e need at all." George's comments came during a report to lawmakers on how the hop industry has used state grant money it received for technological innovation. I'm Bob Hoff.
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