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Landowners and county clash over water and long‑term agricultural value at Watoma solar hearing
Summary
Watoma Farms and Robert Ranch witnesses told the council lease revenue and water‑banking could sustain and diversify agricultural activity as aquifer levels decline; Benton County planners countered the county’s ALTEX protections and said soil shading, loss of acreage, and long‑term productive capacity remain unresolved by the applicant’s proposed conditions.
Landowners who would host portions of the Watoma Solar Energy Project told the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council on Sept. 25 that lease revenue and planned water‑management steps would help them sustain and expand agricultural operations as groundwater declines.
Wally Jossart, investment manager for Watoma Farms, said the purchaser acquired about 1,500 acres that included an underperforming vineyard and that solar lease revenue is part of the capital plan to replant and expand the vineyard. He said the leases were already in place when the farm was purchased and that the project is intended to make on‑farm investment feasible.
Robin Robert, representing Robert Ranch…
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