On December 3, 2018 the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released a Notice of Availability of a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Swalley Irrigation District 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 the Swalley project page.
View the Notice of Availability and news release from NRCS.
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. The project is a collaboration among NRCS, Swalley Irrigation District, the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, and Farmers Conservation Alliance.
Public scoping comments were accepted October 3 through November 16, 2018 related to proposed irrigation improvements in East Fork Irrigation District. Scoping comments will be used to develop a Draft Environmental Assessment for the project.
On October 3, 2018 the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a public scoping period to consider improvements to aging irrigation infrastructure in the East Fork Irrigation District, located in Hood River County. Improvements under consideration would address water conservation, enhancement of aquatic species habitat, and public safety risks while supporting existing agricultural land use. A public scoping meeting was held October 18, 2018 at the Pine Grove Grange in Hood River. The project is a collaborative effort between NRCS, East Fork Irrigation District, and Farmers Conservation Alliance.
More information is available on the East Fork project page.
Public scoping comments were accepted October 2 through November 15, 2018 related to proposed irrigation improvements in Lone Pine Irrigation District. Scoping comments will be used to develop a Draft Environmental Assessment for the project.
On October 2, 2018 the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a public scoping period to consider improvements to aging irrigation infrastructure in Lone Pine Irrigation District, located primarily in northwest Crook County, as well as northern Deschutes County and southern Jefferson County. Improvements under consideration would address water conservation, enhancement of aquatic species habitat, and public safety risks while supporting existing agricultural land use. A public scoping meeting was held October 17, 2018 in Terrebonne. The project is a collaborative effort between NRCS, Lone Pine Irrigation District, the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, and Farmers Conservation Alliance.
More information is available on the Lone Pine project page.
On September 21, 2018, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) authorized federal assistance for the Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment for the Tumalo Irrigation District Irrigation Modernization Project in Deschutes County, Oregon. The project can now proceed to the first phase of construction.
On August 20, 2018, NRCS released a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the project. After several years of planning and considering public input, NRCS and project sponsors determined the project will not cause significant local, regional or national impacts to the environment.
View the Notice of Availability and News Release from NRCS.
The FONSI, Final Plan-EA, and other supporting documents are available on the Tumalo 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.