West Region NRCS Conservationist Astor Boozer Tours OGWRP and Celebrates Major Milestone

On May 5, 2025, the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) marked an exciting milestone with a ribbon cutting and tour of the newly completed EL 86.4 public delivery system. The event brought together landowners, elected officials, and key conservation partners to celebrate the ongoing efforts to conserve water and sustain agriculture in the Columbia Basin.

Astor Boozer, the West Region Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, discusses the ongoing Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program with Washington State Representative Tom Dent at the Columbia Basin Conservation District’s office in Moses Lake, Wash., May 5, 2025. (USDA/NRCS photo by Nate Gallahan.)

A special highlight of the day was the visit of Astor Boozer, West Region Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), who toured the system to see firsthand the results of collaboration between federal, state, and local partners through OGWRP. NRCS has played a critical role in making this success possible, providing more than $6 million in federal funding for this system alone to help local farm families install on-farm infrastructure and convert from deep groundwater wells to surface water.

Astor Boozer, the West Region Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, talks about the significance of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program with farmers, conservation leaders, and state legislators near Connell, Wash., May 5, 2025. (USDA/NRCS photo by Nate Gallahan.)

The EL 86.4 system is the second delivery system constructed under OGWRP and is already making a significant impact. The EL 86.4 system has converted 5,426 acres from deep well irrigation to Columbia River surface water through the Columbia Basin Project, the largest irrigation project in the western United States. This transition has taken 16 wells offline, effectively conserving 16,143 acre-feet (approximately 5.3 billion gallons) of water annually from the Odessa Subarea Aquifer.

Astor Boozer, the West Region Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, stands with local farmers and conservation leaders near Connell, Wash., March 5, 2025. (USDA/NRCS photo by Nate Gallahan.)

The success of the EL 86.4 system showcases the power of partnerships. Federal support through NRCS, state funding, and the leadership of local conservation districts and irrigation stakeholders have made this large-scale water conservation possible.

The tour and celebration provided an opportunity to highlight the scale and significance of the OGWRP’s work, not just for farmers but for the long-term health of the region’s aquifers and communities. With continued investment and cooperation, more systems like EL 86.4 are on the horizon.

Watch the EL 86.4 Celebration Video