10/17/05 Worries about next irrigation season

Washington Ag October 17, 2005 If they haven't already, most major irrigation districts and canal companies in the Yakima River Basin will be halting water deliveries this week for this irrigation season. The Yakima River Basin was one of the worst impacted by this year's drought. Fruit grower Charlie LaChappell says he got a good quality crop this year but there are worries for the future. LaChappell: "We are going downhill fast and if we get another drought like this next year we are not going to have the reserves available in the groundwater supplies to do what we did this year. There's plenty of room for lot's of concern." LaChappell says in the short term further cooperation between junior and senior water right holders will help maximize existing water supplies but a long term solution is needed not just for agriculture but for in-stream flows for fish and economic development. Governor Gregoire recently announced that ten major industry sectors across the state, including agriculture, will share in a 670-thousand dollar Workforce Training and Education Board grant to ensure that Washington's workforce remains competitive. A State-Wide Skill Panel for Food Processing will work with Washington's food processors to fill their employment needs in critical maintenance and operator positions. It will also focus to develop training for women, Hispanics and other minorities interested in becoming supervisors and managers. I'm Bob Hoff.