July 6, 2022 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a Draft Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) for the North Unit Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project.
The proposed project would improve irrigation water management and delivery and improve water conservation in District-owned infrastructure in order to support drought resilience across the District.
Comments on the Draft Plan-EA may be submitted during a public comment period starting July 6, 2022 and ending on August 10, 2022.
A virtual public meeting was held July 25, 2022 at 6 p.m.
More information, including a registration link, is available on the North Unit project page.
January 12, 2022 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a scoping period to consider improvements to irrigation infrastructure in Klamath Drainage District.
The proposed project would enable the District to improve water management within the District’s conveyance system and benefit fish populations in the Klamath River.
A virtual public scoping meeting was held Thursday January 27, 2022 at 6 p.m.
More information and a recording of the meeting is available on the Klamath Drainage project page.
October 19, 2021 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a scoping period to consider improvements to irrigation infrastructure in Westland Irrigation District and new infrastructure in Umatilla County to access Columbia River water, which would support agriculture and groundwater supplies.
A virtual public scoping meeting was held Tuesday November 2, 2021 at 6 p.m.
More information is available on the Westland and Umatilla project page.
August 17, 2021 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Lone Pine Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project.
NRCS has determined that the project will not cause significant local, regional or national impacts to the environment. With a completed environmental assessment in place, the project is now eligible for federal funding and may move forward into construction.
More information is available on the Lone Pine project page.
July 8, 2021 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the public comment period from July 8 to July 23 for the Draft Watershed Plan Environmental Assessment for the Arnold Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project.
Public comments may be submitted through July 23, 2021.
A virtual public meeting was held June 23, 2021 at 6 p.m. A recording of the meeting is available here.
More information is available on the Arnold project page.
June 1, 2021 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a public scoping period for the Farmers Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project, located in Hood River County.
Public comments may be submitted from June 1, 2021 through July 15, 2021.
A virtual scoping meeting was held June 16, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. A recording of the meeting is available here.
More information is available on the Farmers Irrigation District project page.
Several irrigation districts in Oregon are working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, Farmers Conservation Alliance (FCA), and other stakeholders to develop Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessments that support irrigation modernization and provide local environmental benefits.
The proposed projects would convert open irrigation canals to piped and pressurized systems. Generally, the proposed projects would:
Public participation is essential to the environmental review process. It helps irrigation districts and agencies make informed decisions that consider the full range of environmental effects and alternative solutions. Learn more about the proposed projects on the Project Information pages.
The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) manages the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program, authorized by Congress in 1954. The purpose of this program is to provide technical and financial assistance to public entities for planning and implementing authorized projects that:
In order to qualify for funding from the program, irrigation districts must have:
The purpose of this website is to provide the public information about the development of Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessments in Oregon and how to get involved in the planning process.
Visit FCA for more information about irrigation modernization.