News Release: SMID Auctioning First Phase of 9,000 acre-foot Water Bank
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2022
Selah-Moxee Irrigation District (SMID) Auctioning First Phase of 9,000 acre-foot Water Bank
Selah-Moxee Irrigation District (“SMID”) is offering exclusive access to existing patrons to lease or purchase a portion of SMID’s surplus water rights to support SMID’s capital improvements and the irrigation goals of its patrons.
SMID has established a water bank from surplus water that was produced through the implementation of various water conservation projects and land use changes throughout the District. This water bank will help fund a $100 Million capital improvement plan. Therefore, the District is auctioning a portion of these surplus water rights for sale and lease to existing SMID patrons for use both within and outside of SMID’s service area. The auction will be conducted by Western Water Market on behalf of SMID and will run from May 1st through June 15th, 2022.
The 9,000 acre-foot water bank was created by SMID principally to help fund improvements to the SMID water system which will include many miles of piping and lining existing canals and ditches to improve efficiency and benefit the existing users of SMID.
Nathan Draper, Manager of SMID states “The water bank will improve water security for its patrons by focusing on various necessary conservation projects that are part of a conservation plan for SMID. Monies raised from this auction will help offset the costs of these improvements to the SMID patrons. The water bank may also help with securing water supply for the Moxee and Yakima Basins.”
Only 25% of the water bank will be put up for auction at this time and the remainder of the water bank will be reserved by SMID. Current SMID patrons can take advantage of the surplus water rights through this auction, which will release up to 1,650 acre-acre-feet for lease and 200 acre-feet for sale. Eligible buyers for this phase are existing SMID patrons within the current service area whose assessments are up-to-date and who hold at least 10 percent ownership in land where surplus water is proposed to be used.
To place a bid in the SMID auction, please visit Western Water Market, LLC at westernwatermarket.com/smid. Bidding opens on May 1, 2022 with all bids due by 11:59 pm on June 15, 2022. There is a one-time $500 non-refundable application fee per bidder.
Kristina Ribellia, Western Water Market founder states “We are thrilled to help SMID market and auction their surplus water rights. This is a novel approach and opportunity for the Yakima Basin.”
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For more information about the water bank, please contact:
Nathan Draper with SMID, (509) 469-0449 or email: smidistrict@qwestoffice.net
For more information about the auction, please contact:
Kristina Ribellia with Western Water Market, (509) 906-1070 or email: kristina@westernwatermarket.com
See the auction on Western Water Market here: westernwatermarket.com/smid