April 20, 2021 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a Draft Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Lone Pine Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project.
A virtual public meeting was held May 5, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the Draft Plan-EA and answer questions about the project.
Public comments on the Draft Plan-EA may be submitted from April 20, 2021 through May 20, 2021.
More information is available on the Lone Pine project page.
December 15, 2020 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Ochoco Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project.
With a completed EA and a Finding of No Significant Impact, the project is now eligible for federal funding and may move forward into construction.
The project will improve irrigation water management and delivery, reduce district operations and maintenance costs, improve public safety along piped sections, and increase streamflow in McKay Creek and the Crooked River.
More information is available on the Ochoco project page.
July 22, 2020 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) for the East Fork Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project.
With a completed EA and a Finding of No Significant Impact, the project is now eligible for federal funding and may move forward into construction.
The project will pipe 56 miles of District-owned canals and laterals and will conserve water, reduce energy use, improve operational efficiencies, improve water delivery reliability, increase public safety, enhance fish and wildlife habitat in the Hood River watershed, and reduce sediment in irrigation water.
More information is available on the East Fork project page.
July 9, 2020 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Central Oregon Irrigation District Smith Rock-King Way Infrastructure Modernization Project.
With a completed EA and a Finding of No Significant Impact, the project is now eligible for federal funding and may move forward into construction.
The project will pipe 7.9 miles of District-owned infrastructure to reduce water loss, improve water delivery reliability, increase public safety, and enhance instream flows in the Deschutes River during the winter.
More information is available on the Central Oregon project page.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), with assistance from Farmers Conservation Alliance (FCA), has compiled and reviewed the comments that were submitted during the scoping period for the North Unit Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project. The comments will inform the development of a Draft Watershed Plan – Environmental Assessment (Draft Plan-EA).
The Draft Plan-EA will identify alternatives to meet the project’s purpose and need, identify the resources potentially affected by the project, and evaluate the effects of the project on those resources. Once the Draft Plan-EA has been completed, it will be released for public review. At that time, a second public meeting and comment period will be advertised and held to solicit questions and comments.
More information is available on the North Unit project page.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), with assistance from Farmers Conservation Alliance (FCA), has compiled and reviewed the comments that were submitted during the scoping period for the Arnold Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project. The comments will inform the development of a Draft Watershed Plan – Environmental Assessment (Draft Plan-EA).
The Draft Plan-EA will identify alternatives to meet the project’s purpose and need, identify the resources potentially affected by the project, and evaluate the effects of the project on those resources. Once the Draft Plan-EA has been completed, it will be released for public review. At that time, a second public meeting and comment period will be advertised and held to solicit questions and comments.
More information is available on the Arnold 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.