Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 10, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Tours Conservation Projects, Holds Water Roundtable During Walla Walla Visit

Gov. Gary Locke today surveyed water projects and hosted a water roundtable discussion during his visit to Walla Walla.

Locke was in town to view water conservation and management efforts, discuss pressing water issues affecting the region and state, and lauded Walla Walla for their efforts on water. These efforts stand as a model for watershed planning in the region and across the state.

“Walla Walla exemplifies how communities, farmers, tribes, environmentalists, and local and state leaders can work together to further water initiatives and get positive results,” Locke said. “It’s remarkable how local agricultural irrigation programs have been able to return water to parts of the Walla Walla River that have been dry for more than a century.”

Locke stopped to view the Walla Walla River at Tumalum Bridge and witness water flowing in an area that had gone dry for more than 120 years. He also visited Pepper Bridge Farm to learn how new growing strategies, cropping patterns and precise irrigation help farmers get the most from their water and acreage.

The governor then hosted a roundtable at Walla Walla Community College with local and regional leaders to discuss water issues and thank the group for their efforts to successfully protect and manage this vital natural resource.

“Each of you in this room provides proof that people can work together to solve water issues,” Locke said. “Broad support for a vision that includes farms, fish and communities has emerged in Walla Walla, and my administration will listen to and support your continued work.”

The governor highlighted that six years of collaborative, cooperative planning have helped put back 25 cubic feet per second of water to the mainstem of the Walla Walla River. The region is also one of Washington’s 16 most “fish-critical” watersheds and home to one of the assigned state “watermasters” who works for the state Department of Ecology to carry out water-compliance activities.

“It is gratifying to have the governor visit and discuss water issues with him,” said Dr. Steve VanAusdle, president of Walla Walla Community College. “We are happy he understands the importance of this issue and what it means to the people of this region.”
The governor’s visit to Walla Walla is the first in a series of statewide visits to view and discuss water-related issues with local communities. There are plans to visit the Bellingham and Yakima areas in the coming weeks.

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