MANAGER’S REPORT
8 September. 2009
The irrigation season is proceeding well into the Labor Day weekend with definite cooling and possible rain in the forecast. This weather change will coincide with the shoulder season of the irrigation diversion totals reducing gradually into the fall. As many patrons on the Pilot Butte Canal (PBC) are aware through individual notices and in the newsletter, the irrigation season will end October 5 due to the Juniper Ridge piping and hydro project with the CO Canal turning off the next week. COID staff has received comments and concerns from several patrons on the PBC regarding their water needs for stock during the winter. COID staff and board members are actively working with these patrons on solutions and they will be implemented.
There
are indications that an El Nino weather pattern could be developing for this
upcoming winter. Typical El Nino weather
will be rather dry in the first half of the winter and then very wet weather in
the later half. Average winter weather
will sufficiently replenish the reservoirs so it will be a wait and see as
usual as to how full the reservoirs and winter flows in the
The Juniper Ridge Pipeline and Hydroelectric
Project is proceeding through its final financing and contracting stages. Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) is
preparing the final closing documents for the project’s construction financing
and is scheduled to close on September 9.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality funding documents for the
$4MM of stimulus funding are anticipated to close around September 11. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board staff has
completed the agreement with the District and the Deschutes River Conservancy
for $1MM of grant. In addition, the
Bureau of Reclamation will be providing $1MM of stimulus funds through the
Deschutes River Conservancy. Total grant
funds and incentives confirmed to be received for the Juniper Ridge Project now
total $11.7MM. The remaining costs of
the Project are to be facilitated through the Small Energy Loan Program at
ODOE. At this point, all project
procurement, design, financing and staging is on schedule for construction to
begin on October 6. All patrons on the
The
Habitat Conservation Plan is continuing under its existing grant from the US
Fish & Wildlife Service through
A
federal court recently issued a remand to the US Fish & Wildlife Service on
the 2007 Bull Trout Critical Habitat Plan (CHP). COID and the Deschutes Basin Board of Control
is evaluating the remand and preparing for filing comments later this fall. The DBBC was very involved in the last CHP
process and is another species involving the Endangered Species Act and the
The opportunities pursued this past month include, but are not limited to:
·
The City of
·
· The Deschutes Water Alliance (DWA) is moving forward with Water Bank transactions and planning for 2009. There is movement to expand active participation of the counties and elected officials and to formalize the partners’ relationships with memorandums of understanding or other forms of agreement for existing and future coordination on regional water issues.
·
COID has re-engaged Pacific Power in
conversations over termination of their lease and hydro facility at
· COID is coordinating with BLM staff on operational issues involving BLM owned and COID owned lands and where COID has federal 1891 Rights of Way.
· COID is coordinating discussions between the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Reclamation on clarifying operational boundaries at the Crane Prairie Dam.
The challenges presenting themselves:
· Issues continue to arise with patrons and the delivery of water to parcels past the District’s Point of Delivery. The District is evaluating its existing statutory authorities and reviewing policies to assist in resolving these issues.
STATUS REPORT
Juniper
Ridge Piping & Hydroelectric Project
· Weekly project status meetings with contractor team
· The Power Purchase Agreement with PacifiCorp was finalized and executed. The Interconnection Agreement is proceeding on schedule and likely to be ready for signature this fall.
· OWEB approved $1 MM project grant
· Received $250,000 as restoration grant from Pelton – Round Butte Restoration Fund provided by Portland General Electric and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
· ODOE Small Energy Loan Program approved $17 million in project financing. ODOE loans carry only a revenue obligation of the project and can not encumber patron assessments.
· Business Energy Tax Credit application has received its necessary pre-certification. COID is now eligible to market the tax credits to individuals and entities that have Oregon State Tax obligations.
· DEQ State Revolving Fund announced Juniper Ridge as a special green project and to receive $2 MM in grant and $2MM in 20 year 0% interest loan.
·
FERC conduit exemption application submitted
with full NEPA and state and federal agency support. Application to the State of
· COID’s grant request of $5 million submitted to the US Bureau of Reclamation under the Water Conservation Initiative program was denied, but will be receiving $1 million of these funds through the Deschutes River Conservancy
·
The City of
· Cooperative
evaluation of potential 50-100 acre re-regulating structure on
Status
– In Process with no change in last month
Real
Estate
· One 20 acre
parcel near
Status – In Process with no change in last month
· COID and
the
Status – In Process. Joint meetings being conducted with
City of
·
A Conditional
Use permit was received for COID owned lands along
Status – In Process with no change in last month
Development
· 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 – In Process.
Preliminary discussions held, issues ongoing, no resolution expected for
some time.
ON THE RADAR SCREEN
· Bull Trout Draft Recovery Plan
· Pursuit of funding designations with Bonneville Power Administration for conservation projects above Pelton Round Butte complex