I am very pleased to see Governor Bob Ferguson sign the 2026 Capital Budget SB 6003; delivering meaningful investments across Southwest Washington and throughout our state. This budget reflects a strong commitment to infrastructure, community priorities, and responsible stewardship of our natural resources.
One of the most important components of this year’s budget is the inclusion of funding and detailed policy direction to begin the process of relocating the Bob Oke Game Farm and keeping it open in another location. Located over a critical aquifer, the site has been identified as a contributing factor to elevated nitrate levels in drinking water impacting neighborhoods in the Centralia area.
The budget includes an initial $50,000 appropriation to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to begin this work. These funds are specifically directed to:
- Identify and evaluate alternative locations for relocation
- Prioritize sites already owned or managed by the state where possible
- Conduct hydrogeologic assessments to ensure future operations do not impact groundwater, drinking water, or nearby aquifers
- Evaluate proximity to public water systems and critical aquifer recharge areas
- Consult with local governments, tribes, water utilities, and conservation districts
- Develop cost estimates, timelines, and logistical plans for relocation
Importantly, the policy also lays out a clear, multi-phase roadmap:
- A report to the Legislature by December 1, 2026, identifying viable relocation sites
- A future budget request for predesign and engineering work in the 2027–2029 biennium
- A long-term plan to secure funding in the 2029–2031 budget to fully relocate the facility
At the same time, the budget requires the Department to begin planning for remediation of the current site, including:
- Ongoing groundwater and soil monitoring
- Measures to prevent additional nitrate contamination
- Evaluation of restoration strategies to reduce existing contamination
Until relocation is complete, the facility must also comply with water quality permits under state law and report back to the Legislature on compliance efforts by the end of 2026.
For years, residents have raised concerns about water quality and the long-term health of our local aquifer. This investment represents a major step forward—not just in addressing those concerns, but in taking meaningful action to protect public health and the environment. It is unfortunate to still see the Director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife resist the reasonable and bi-partisan relocation policy to protect the Centralia Community.
Relocating the game farm helps us strike the right balance. We can preserve the tradition of pheasant hunting that many in our community and beyond value, while also protecting critical groundwater resources and ensuring clean, safe drinking water for families in Centralia.
This is what good policy looks like: bringing people together, listening to community concerns, and finding practical solutions that work for everyone.
I also want to extend my sincere thanks to the leadership and staff who worked diligently to move this budget forward, and especially to the citizens of Lewis County and the City of Centralia who made their voices heard. Your advocacy in Olympia made the difference. This truly was a community-up, not Olympia-down, effort—and it shows what can be accomplished when local voices lead the way.
In the House Capital Budget Committee, 62 to 1 testified in supported Rep. Ed Orcutt’s HB 2668 to relocate the game farm. In the House Energy and Environment Committee, 441-7 testified in support of my legislation HB 2343 to require public game farms to comply with water quality standards and permits.
There is still more work to do, but this marks an important milestone. Clean water is not optional—it is essential. And with this step, we are moving closer to ensuring that every family in our region has access to safe, reliable drinking water.
Together, we are building stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger Washington.
