NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS

Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- A new deal will remove water from Sullivan Lake in summer months to help spur economic development in six counties in depressed northeastern Washington.

The agreement between the state Department of Ecology and the Pend Oreille County Public Utility District will be signed Friday. It calls for the release of 14,000 acre-feet of water from Sullivan Lake each summer.

About two-thirds of the water will be used to support 23,000 new homes in Pend Oreille, Ferry, Lincoln, Stevens, Okanogan and Douglas counties, which are among the poorest in the state. The homes would add an estimated $1.4 billion to the tax base, and some $4 million per year in economic activity.

The rest of the water will be used for fish and wildlife habitat and recreation.

Copyright 2010 The AP.