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becomes economical for the land owners. We’ve been applying for grants, but so far, nobody’s danced with us.” Because of government cutbacks, Atchley is concerned that it may be awhile before they can proceed with the rest of the project. Phases 3 and 4 would cover 90 more land owners. Once all phases are completed, it will cover about 15,000 acres, saving about 20,000 acre feet of water per year. However, that will necessitate about 36 miles of buried pipe. “That’s a LOT of digging,” he says. BENEFITS However, growers are already seeing benefits. “I think they’re all delighted about it,” says watermaster Doug Hillam. “I’ve never heard any complaints.” Shawn Maupin, who runs Paul Cherry Farms and owns River Ranch Enterprises, says it’s been a great benefit because growers have been receiving clean water with minimal ditch loss. Besides being able to use water more efficiently, Jeff Harrigfeld points out that it’s nice to get rid of all the electric pumps. “You don’t have to fight the pumps and all the screens,” he says. Atchley says that stockholders are saving about 30 percent of their water. (Once the other phases are complete, that will increase to 50 percent.) Besides the water savings, about 2,000-hp of pumping has been taken off the power grid, tripling to about 6,000 with the three remaining phases completed. He points out that there have been a few side benefits from this pipeline project. First, Rocky Mountain Power (owned by Pacificorp), will make one-time payments based on a three-year average to have pumps removed from the power grid. Second, because more water is being diverted to hydroelectric generators, it will eventually retire Ida West’s debt. Finally, with several miles of canals being buried and power lines being removed, the installation IRRIGATION FILTER. Rotary screens at the Phase 2 pond east of Ashton keep irrigation water clean before it descends a slope, becoming pressurized before being delivered to growers and Marysville residents. 20 Potato Grower | JULY 2010