ARE PATRONS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR FULL ASSESSMENTS WHEN THE IRRIGATION DISTRICT IS UNABLE TO DELIVER WATER ALLOTMENTS BECAUSE OF WATER SHORTAGES?

Yes, Irrigation Districts can only deliver the water that is available and patrons remain responsible for their full water assessments even if deliveries have to be reduced or eliminated during the irrigation season. Pursuant to the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 545, the owners of lands susceptible to irrigation may form an Irrigation District to deliver available water to its patrons, as did the owners within Tumalo Irrigation District. The year-round costs to manage and operate a water delivery system are virtually the same whether or not the District is able to meet its patron’s certificated water right allotments during the irrigation season. Annual assessments are based on a “computation of the total amount of money necessary to be raised by the district for the ensuing year for the purpose of carrying out the Irrigation District law.” Even if mother nature does not provide sufficient water to allow the District to meet the needs of its patrons, as occurred in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the District patrons are still required to pay their assessments by the due date so the District is able to continue to operate and deliver water when it again becomes available. Non-payment of assessments can result in a lien against the owner’s land and eventual foreclosure whether irrigation water is delivered or not.

As Tumalo Irrigation District works through the current severe drought conditions, we are doing our very best to maximize the deliveries to our patrons. We appreciate all of our patrons help and understanding as we work through this.

Website Accessibility Policy

Tumalo Irrigation District is fully committed to providing accessible facilities, elements and channels of communication to all members of the public. As part of this commitment, Tumalo Irrigation District has a policy of providing an accessible website compatible with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and commercial screen reading software. All features of the website are coded to allow individuals with vision and other impairments to understand and use the website to the same degree as someone without disabilities. We welcome feedback and can often resolve issues in a timely manner if they arise.

If you need any special assistance or accommodations:

Call us at (541) 382-3053

Ongoing Compliance Information

Compliance Officer

Tumalo Irrigation District has designated a compliance officer for website disability-related accommodations. The compliance officer has received training in website accessibility and updates the site in accordance with those best practices. Contact our accessibility officer to report an issue.

Compliance Procedures and Reports

In addition to testing with users with a wide range of disabilities and coding our website to WCAG standards, Tumalo Irrigation District regularly scans its website to ensure ongoing compliance, and makes timely changes to any inaccessible changes, if any are found.

Linked Documents and Third Parties

Please note that this site may link out to third-party websites, such as state or federal agencies, that do not have accessible content. This site may also include documents provided by third parties included in our agenda packets, for example. While we cannot control the accessibility of content provided by third parties, we are happy to assist any member of the public with reading and accessing content on our site.

See an opportunity for us to improve? Please contact our accessibility officer or call us at (541) 382-3053.

Report a Website Accessibility Issue

We are committed to your ability to access all content, and we will respond to all requests as soon as possible.