Haugen bill keeps crops watered and fish swimming

OLYMPIA — Any farmer can tell you that water is the lifeblood of agriculture. Crops wither if they don’t get enough water, but too much can drown them — and sometimes, their struggle to find and maintain the right balance puts them at odds with the goal of preserving fragile wildlife habitat.

Drainage infrastructure that supports agriculture in the Skagit Valley was put at stake after a 2003 conflict over tide gates and drainage facilities, which prompted local drainage districts and the Department of Fish and Wildlife to work together on updating drainage district plans.

Their success has prompted Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, to introduce a bill to help ensure that drainage plans not only address the habitat needs of fish associated with those facilities, but also protect agriculture.

Senate Bill 6275 will give 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.

“I’m always glad when we can find a way to help keep agriculture thriving while at the same time preserving wildlife habitat,” said Haugen. “I’m especially grateful to our local farmers and the Department of Fish and Wildlife for working so hard on this together.”

“I think this is a great step towards addressing water quality, irrigation, and habitat issues,” said Mike Shelby of the Western Washington Agriculture Association. “Letting drainage district commissioners implement drainage plans will help support habitat restoration projects with the least impact on established and functioning drainage infrastructure that supports our agricultural lands.”

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