Klamath County, OR - (January 12, 2022) – Klamath Drainage District (the District) proposes to modernize District irrigation infrastructure to improve watershed protection. The project would install fish screens at the District’s diversions on the Klamath River, extend and reengineer sections of canals to increase flows to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (LKNWR), and improve the District’s use and control over water throughout the 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 by preventing fish from getting trapped in the District’s canals. By reducing water use inefficiencies, the proposed project would improve water quality in the Klamath River. The project would also allow the District to supply additional water to the LKNWR, which would increase critically needed habitat for wildlife.
The project is sponsored by Klamath Drainage District, with funding and technical support from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Farmers Conservation Alliance is assisting NRCS with the planning process.
A Scoping Document about the proposed project can be found at the bottom of this page under Project Documents.
Virtual Public Meeting January 27, 2022 - Recording Here
Members of the public were invited to provide input to help guide planning efforts during a virtual scoping meeting on January 27 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the meeting was held virtually using Zoom. Participants had an opportunity to learn more about the proposed infrastructure improvements and submit their comments, ideas, and concerns. The presentation slides can also be found at the bottom of the page.
Public comments may be submitted from January 12, 2022 through February 25, 2022. Comments may be submitted the following ways:
1) Email klamathdd.comments@gmail.com
2) At this online form
3) By phone at (541) 716-6085
4) Mail to: Farmers Conservation Alliance, 102 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031
Next Steps
Following the public scoping period, project partners will develop a Draft Watershed Plan - Environmental Assessment. The public will have an opportunity to review the draft plan and provide additional input.
Once complete, the watershed plan will enable the District to apply for funding to construct infrastructure improvements through the NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention program, authorized by Public Law 83-566. Through this program, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to local organizations (project sponsors) for planning and carrying out watershed projects that help solve natural resource and related economic problems in a specific watershed. These issues can include watershed protection, flood prevention, erosion and sediment control, water supply, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and wetlands creation.
This information is also available at the NRCS Oregon public notice webpage.
For further information please contact:
Farmers Conservation Alliance
541-716-6085
Farmers Conservation Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which, as a federal contractor, is assisting NRCS and the sponsors in the Watershed Plan - Environmental Assessment process.
Please note: Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Further information on the public involvement process can be found at the Council of Environmental Quality's Citizens Guide to NEPA.
Visit FCA for more information about irrigation modernization.