On September 21, 2018 the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released a Draft Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) for the Swalley Irrigation District Irrigation Modernization Project. The proposed project will pipe 16.6 miles of canals and laterals over seven years to improve water conservation, water delivery reliability, and public safety. NRCS developed the Draft Plan-EA in partnership with Swalley Irrigation District, the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, and Farmers Conservation Alliance. A public meeting will be held to inform the community and gather public comments.
Public Meeting
Wednesday October 10, 2018
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Cascades Academy
19860 Tumalo Reservoir Road
Bend, OR 97703
Comments on the Draft Plan-EA will be accepted through October 24, 2018.
The Draft Plan-EA, instructions on how to submit a comment, and more information is available on the Swalley project page. View the Notice of Availability and News Release from NRCS.
On August 20, 2018 the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) for the Tumalo Irrigation District Irrigation Modernization Project. After several years of planning and considering public input, NRCS and project sponsors have determined the project will not cause significant local, regional or national impacts to the environment.
The FONSI, Final Plan-EA, and other supporting planning documents are available on the Tumalo project page.
View the Notice of Availability and News Release from NRCS.
Several irrigation districts in the Deschutes Basin 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 for Central Oregon Irrigation District, Swalley Irrigation District, and Tumalo Irrigation District would convert open irrigation canals to piped and pressurized systems. The proposed projects would:
Public participation is essential to the watershed planning and 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.
NRCS initiated the watershed planning process for these projects on June 16, 2017. For more information please see the announcement at NRCS Public Notices and the NRCS News Release on June 19, 2017.
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 2017, Congress appropriated $150 million to the NRCS Watershed Program. In partnership with the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, several irrigation districts in central Oregon are applying for funding from this program to complete water conservation and modernization projects. In order to qualify for funding, irrigation districts must have:
The purpose of this website is to provide the public information about the Watershed Plan-EAs and how to get involved in the planning process.