Haugen bill for ag drainage flows out of Senate

OLYMPIA — The Senate today passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, that will help ensure that agricultural drainage plans meet the needs of both farmers and fish.

“Water is the lifeblood of agriculture, and sometimes having the proper drainage plans and facilities in place can make or break a farm,” said Haugen. “I’m proud of the great job our local farmers have done in working with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to update drainage district plans that take care of both agriculture and fragile wildlife habitat, and this legislation will allow them to put these plans into action.”

Senate Bill 6275 gives explicit authority to drainage district commissioners to implement their drainage plans, and is supported by both the Western Washington Agricultural Association and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously, and will now proceed to the House for consideration.

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