3/10/06 Better water outlook; exempt diesel form

3/10/06 Better water outlook; exempt diesel form

Washington Ag March 10, 2006 It was a year ago today, March 10th that the Department of Ecology issued a drought proclamation for the state. What a difference this year. Last year at this time the mountain snow pack was a mere 26 percent of normal. Currently snow packs are about 115 percent of normal. Last year junior water right holders in the Yakima Irrigation Project received only 42 percent of a full supply of water. This week in its first forecast of irrigation water for the Yakima Basin, the Bureau of Reclamation said junior and senior water right holders are expected to receive their full water supply. Ecology Director Jay Manning is expressing relief at not having back to back drought years saying the threat to Washington's economy and environment would have been staggering. Another reminder for how agricultural producers can get the form they need for that newly enacted tax exemption for on-farm diesel. Mike Gowerylow of the Department of Revenue says the form is on their website at dor.wa.gov and its called the Farmers Retail Sales Tax Exemption Certificate. You will see it under quick clicks. Gowerylow: "Farmers can download this, print it out and give it to the fuel seller and then be exempt for any fuel deliveries for a year afterwards. " Or you can call and have a form mailed to you. Call 1-800-647-7706. I'm Bob Hoff.
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