MANAGER’S REPORT

8 May. 2007

 

The irrigation season began with both canals running water on April 10th.  While the weather has been cool with some spots of rain the weather has been unpredictable, and this has affected the District’s ability to timely coordinate getting more water released from Wickiup through the Oregon Water Resource Department (OWRD) to meet expectations.

 

The management regime on the Deschutes River at the beginning of every irrigation season is carefully coordinated and complicated.  It is not an instant turn on and off system.  It involves the coordination of all 7 irrigation districts that divert water from the Deschutes, the OWRD, the legally dictated “ramp” rate of releasing water from Wickiup, and the 2-4 days of lag time it takes to bring water to the patron headgates.

 

Added to this layer of coordination is the expectation of many people that the beginning of irrigation season means full season water right flows.  The COID water right is only at 50% flows during the month of April, ramping to 75% as of May 1, and not until May 15th do the full season water right levels legally take effect.  While COID does utilize storage water from Crane Prairie to supplement the available water right the expectation, particularly when the weather is warm and sunny, is for full season rates and that expectation cannot be met both legally or operationally.

 

The good news is that the Deschutes is running with above average natural flow and that both Wickiup and Crane Prairie reservoirs were totally full to begin the season.  In other words, the supply of water is healthier than average heading into the irrigation season and only time and the weather will tell us how the rest of the season will proceed.

 

PGE and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS), as part of the relicensing with the Pelton-Round Butte hydroelectric facilities, plan on reintroducing steelhead fry into Whychus Creek on May 12th in coordination with NOAA Fisheries.  Steelhead are a threatened species listed under the Endangered Species Act and are therefore protected under federal law. The irrigation districts of the Deschutes Basin Board of Control are in discussions with PGE, the CTWS and NOAA on the timing and impact the reintroduction may bring to the upper basin land owners, water users and irrigation district operations.

 

The opportunities pursued this past month include, but are not limited to:

·        The Oregon State Legislature is in full swing and all bills were required to have passed out of committee by April 30th  if the bill is to be eligible for either House or Senate consideration.  There are a number of surviving bills of interest to COID where the District has actively participated along with the OWRC and include:

o       Exempt Groundwater wells and permitting

o       Measurement requirements on all river or stream diversions

o       Reporting requirements on pesticide use for public entities

o       Renewable energy incentives including hydro generation under 50Mwh capacity and a shortened licensing process similar to FERC.  The District was very active working for having hydro be defined as eligible for a variety of bills that will enhance “new” facilities.  In addition to the Business Energy Tax Credit that has already passed the House and is up for vote in the Senate, the Governor’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard will also provide favorable economic treatment for hydroelectric facilities.  At this point, everything the District has been supportive of has passed forward but not quite on the Governor’s desk.

·        COID allocated 60 acres of “urbanized” water acres to the Central Oregon Water Bank on April 27th.  Steady progress on bank structure, partner relationships, process and common philosophies has been attained within the last few months.

·        Both the NUID and Deschutes River Conservancy legislative bills have been introduced in the US Senate and US House.  Other federal efforts pertaining or impacting irrigation districts are monitored by COID through its participation in the OWRC and the National Water Resources Association (NWRA).

·        COID in conjunction with the Oregon Water Resource Congress is heavily involved with lobbying for expanded provisions for irrigation districts in the 2007 Farm Bill. In addition to funding for conserved water projects, there is significant discussion and work on specialty crop funding and other items beneficial to Oregon agriculture. The District will continue to monitor the Bill’s progress as it makes its way through the congressional approval process.

·        The City of Redmond moves forward with the planning and implementation of its new Urban Growth Boundary. COID is a member of the TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) overseeing the master planning requirements and infrastructure issues as Redmond grows. Issues currently under discussion include reconciling District easements with city roads, establishment of trails and public safety in the Northwest area of the new UGB.

·        The City of Bend has had two public hearings on establishing a new Urban Growth Boundary.  The latest hearing did not include a COID parcel abutting the existing UGB.  The amounts of land associated with COID water rights is unknown at this time, but the District will be actively involved with the process.

·        COID is officially on the Bend 2030 Vision Board of Directors.  The Board is already meeting and more will be known on structure and involvement of the community in the next few months.

 

The challenges presenting themselves:

 

·        Prineville continues its efforts on finding well sites that can provide additional drinking water supply for the city.  The District has been in touch with the City and its consultants on the progress the City has made, and will likely be in discussions regarding long term solutions for Prineville later this year.

·        Development and corresponding municipal infrastructure issues with the cities of Bend and Redmond are presenting challenges in the areas of our main canals.  In many instances desired crossings or roadway expansions are of great concern to the District as there are many areas of public safety concern.

 

STATUS REPORT

 

Deschutes Water Alliance

·        2007 Central Oregon Water Bank targets for COID were approved by the Board in January.  The amounts of water right acres approved for mitigation and restoration were very similar to the 2006 totals, including an additional 100 acre increase in District reserves. The cities of Bend and Redmond, along with Avion Water Company are the primary mitigation members with Swalley and COID the current irrigation district members.  The DRC is also a member representing river restoration and facilitates water bank transactions.  A presentation was provided to the Arnold Irrigation District manager and legal counsel.

Status – In Process

 

 

 

David Evans & Associates

·        Assisting District on Juniper Ridge hydroelectric project

Status – Preliminary pipeline design and hydro facility completed

 

·        Assisting District on evaluating retention structures in Dry Canyon

Status – Preliminary structure size and cost estimates completed. Discussions with Remington Ranch initiated.

 

Real Estate

·        Bid schedule for partitioned 40-acre parcel near Deschutes Market Road and Hwy 97 still delayed pending a clarification of deed to property. Issue is being worked for resolution with Steve Scott, Title Company, and Legal Counsel.

Status – In Process

 

·        DesertScape, COID, and the Redmond School District are proceeding on filing for rezoning changes of the 250-acre parcel in east Redmond.  Multiple conversations and meetings with City of Redmond staff on the most productive path for approval. A major component of the ability for Redmond to evaluate the application will likely need to wait until after their Transportation System Plan (TSP) process and update is completed sometime this summer.

Status – On going

 

Development

 

·        Coordination agreements with Deschutes County and the City of Bend are required under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) Chapters 195 & 197 for the establishment of new Urban Reserve and Growth Boundaries.  Both entities have begun the conversations with likely effected irrigation districts and other special districts.

Status – Preliminary discussions held, no further progress at this time

 

·        Direct communication with City of Bend and Redmond public works and planning staff on resolving issues of canal safety and impacts of development that will require piping.

Status – Preliminary discussions held, issues ongoing. Biggest hurdle is cost and which party(ies) pay.

 

 

ON THE RADAR SCREEN

 

·        Bull Trout Critical Habitat Final Rule amendments

·        Federal funding legislation for DWA Action Plan

·        Governor’s “Big Look” task force on Oregon’s land use laws has been meeting and will have preliminary findings in 2007