REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MARCH 9, 2004, 10:00 A.M.
TUMALO IRRIGATION DISTRICT
64697 COOK AVENUE
BEND, OREGON 97701
STAFF: Bob Morrow, Steve Putnam, Gary Blake
STAFF: Elmer McDaniels, Shelby Smith, Jan Wickham, Ken Rieck
ATTORNEY: Bill Hopp
ENGINEER: Kevin Crew
GUESTS: Tammy Sailors, Mara Stein, Gary Moss
Vice-Chairman Morrow called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. and appointed Shelby Smith scribe.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Putnam made a motion that the minutes of the February 10, 2004 Regular Board Meeting and February 10, 2004 Executive Board Meeting be approved, seconded by Director Blake, motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHER LIST
Director Putnam made a motion that the March 2004 Voucher List be approved, seconded by Director Blake, motion carried unanimously.
CRESCENT LAKE WATER REPORT
Manager McDaniels said that Crescent Lake has 34,359 acre-feet.
BEND FEED CANAL FISH SCREEN
Manager McDaniels said half the floor and one wall has been poured, the wall next to the houses will be poured tomorrow, and the other half of the floor and the other walls will be poured within the next week. Mrs. McShane, who lives above the fish screen, has asked about a six-foot fence; Manager McDaniels would prefer an eight-foot fence. Attorney Hopp suggested that the District send a letter to Special Districts Association of Oregon, requesting their approval in writing, specifying what Mrs. McShane has requested, and what the District would like to have done.
BEND FEED CANAL PIPELINE #4
Manager McDaniels said the welding equipment has not arrived at the job site yet. It was supposed to have been shipped last Thursday, but did not leave until today. The job is at a stand-still until this equipment arrives. Manager McDaniels estimates that the job will be done before the water starts April 12th.
MOU - DESCHUTES BASIN BOARD OF CONTROL AND OREGON WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
See attached copy of Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Central Oregon Irrigation District, Ochoco Irrigation District, North Unit Irrigation District, and Swalley Irrigation District. Arnold Irrigation District, Squaw Creek Irrigation District, and Tumalo Irrigation District have not signed yet. Manager McDaniels said one of the changes is that Tumalo Irrigation District has been given credit for the water in Tumalo Creek. The
-2- Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, March 9, 2004
problem is that who owns the water rights has not been determined. Attorney Hopp asked what the purpose of this agreement is, since anyone can back out, we’re getting credit for what we’re already putting in Tumalo Creek, and the Districts have always let 30 cfs go down the Deschutes River. With the ownership of the water rights still in question, he thinks this is a bullet that will be aimed at Oregon Water Resources Congress and the Districts’ heads, because it could be perceived by others as giving away water. Director Putnam made a motion that the District not sign this agreement. Director Blake felt there wasn’t sufficient information available at this time. The motion died for lack of a second. Discussion tabled until a full board is present.
REPORT ON WASHINGTON DC TRIP
Manager McDaniels said they had a positive reaction. Of the $821,123 the District has received from the Deschutes Resources Conservancy, $200,000 was received before the authorization bill, and therefore does not count towards the $2.5 million authorized for the Bend Feed Canal Project. Therefore, the District will receive approximately $235,000, the balance of the $2.5 million.
REPORT ON OREGON WATER RESOURCES CONGRESS LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
Attorney Hopp said that several district managers and attorneys are working together to make sure the districts get what they need out of the legislative process. For instance, the districts need to keep some control over water transfers, to ensure that our delivery systems work. Efforts have been made to educate environmental groups and legislators, so that they understand that the districts are working to conserve water.
DESCHUTES COORDINATING GROUP
A meeting will be held April 13 – 14, 2004, at Kah-Nee-Ta Resort at Warm Springs.
NEPA STUDY – TUMALO FEED CANAL
Attorney Hopp said John Keyes, Bureau of Reclamation, said a NEPA and feasibility study will be required because the request is for $14 million. Mr. Keyes said that an update of the study done when the District was going for the district-wide piping project should be sufficient. Mr. Crew said the lion’s share has been done, but the environmental issues will need to be addressed. Mr. Crew talked to Leo Busch, Bureau of Reclamation, who said the Bureau might be willing to fund the completion of the study.
DAM STUDY
The 2004 operating budget allocated $10,000 for one dam study. The plan is to do one of the three dams each year. Director Putnam made a motion that David Evans & Associates do the study on the Steidel Dam, seconded by Director Blake, motion carried unanimously.
CONSERVATION PLAN
The Conservation Plan needs to be updated every five years. It was signed in 2000, so will need to be updated in 2005.
-3- Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, March 9, 2004
WATER TRANSFER
Amadio to Amadio – 4.0 Acres Senior Right
Director Putnam made a motion that this transfer be approved, seconded by Director Blake, motion carried unanimously.
BIKE RACE SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Manager McDaniels said the special use permit has been approved by the District.
DESCHUTES RESOURCES CONSERVANCY, DESCHUTES WATER EXCHANGE – TAMMY SAILORS
Manager McDaniels asked Ms. Sailors about leased water being used for mitigation credits. Ms. Sailors said they are the only organization in the State who has the right to do that, and the mitigation credits are for one year only. There are only 100 permanent credits currently available, so people who want to pump ground water this year can use temporary credits until permanent credits are available. Some of the districts and some private water rights holders have designated their leased water for mitigation credits. All of Squaw Creek Irrigation District’s and some of Central Oregon Irrigation District’s leases are designated for mitigation, and Swalley Irrigation District’s quit-claimed water has been leased for mitigation. The leases must include an agreement that the leased water can be used for mitigation. Ms. Sailors said the leased water is being compensated at the going rate for each district ($23.00 per acre for this District). Director Putnam expressed concern that this program could result in a bidding war.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next Regular Board Meeting will be Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at 10:00 A.M., at the District Office.
ADJOURNMENT
Director Putnam made a motion that the Regular Board Meeting be adjourned at 11:00 A.M., seconded by Director Blake, motion carried unanimously.