October 11, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon in partnership with Klamath Drainage District (KDD or the District) as the project sponsor and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as cooperating agencies, proposes to modernize KDD’s irrigation infrastructure to improve KDD’s irrigation water availability and reliability, water quality, and KDD’s capacity to deliver water to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (LKNWR) and patrons.
More information is available on the Klamath DD project page.
October 2, 2024 - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a Final Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Farmers Irrigation District Infrastructure Modernization Project.
NRCS has determined that the project will not cause significant local, regional or national impacts to the environment. With a completed environmental assessment in place, the project is now eligible for federal funding and may move forward into final design and construction.
More information is available on the Farmers ID project page.
October 25, 2023 – Farmers Irrigation District (FID), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon, proposes to modernize FID infrastructure to conserve water, improve operational efficiency, increase delivery reliability to District patrons, and increase drought resiliency.
More information is available on the Farmers project page.
July 27, 2023 – Medford Irrigation District (MID), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon, proposes to modernize the Joint System Canal to improve efficiency and reduce water loss. MID is the project sponsor and Rogue River Valley Irrigation District (RRVID) is a partner organization. Agricultural production in both districts depends on the ability to deliver water effectively and efficiently through the Joint System Canal, particularly during drought years when water supplies are limited.
More information is available on the Medford project page.
June 29, 2023 – Rogue River Valley Irrigation District (RRVID or the District) proposes to modernize District irrigation infrastructure to improve the efficiency of its system. Agricultural production in the District depends on RRVID’s ability to deliver water effectively and efficiently, particularly during drought years when surface water allocation is scarce.
A public scoping meeting was held July 18, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Rogue Community College – Table Rock Campus Room 184 – 7800 Pacific Ave, White City, OR.
More information is available on the Rogue River project page.
May 4, 2023 – Santiam Water Control District (SWCD or the District) proposes
to modernize District irrigation infrastructure to improve the efficiency of its system. The project would include piping and/or lining canals and laterals, realigning sections of the current system, and upgrading pumps and pump stations throughout the District.
A public scoping meeting was held May 31, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Turner Memorial Tabernacle – Pioneer Hall at 5605 Jubilee Dr SE, Turner, OR.
More information is available on the Santiam project page.
January 23, 2023 – Klamath Irrigation District (K.I.D. or the District) proposes to modernize District irrigation infrastructure to improve the efficiency of its system. The project would include piping and/or lining canals and laterals and installing automatic flow monitoring equipment. These measures would improve the use and control over water throughout the District and be more resilient to drought.
A public meeting was held February 7, 2023 at 4 p.m. at the Merrill Civic Center, Walt Wilson Hall
363 W Front St, Merrill, OR.
More information is available on the Klamath ID project page.
Communities across the West are working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other partners to develop Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessments or Watershed Plan-Environmental Impact Statements. They are developing these Plans under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program.
NRCS manages the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program, which is often referred to as PL-566. The program provides technical and financial assistance to public entities for a variety of project purposes that include:
NRCS refers to the public entities engaged in the PL-566 program as “sponsors.” Under the program, sponsors move through several phases – feasibility, planning, design, and construction. This website includes projects where Farmers Conservation Alliance (FCA) is assisting the sponsor and NRCS during the planning, design, and construction phases.
Public participation is essential to the planning phase. It helps sponsors and agencies make informed decisions that consider the full range of potential effects of a project and alternative solutions that might achieve the project’s goals.
To learn more about each project and how to participate, visit the project's page. To learn more about PL-566 and the planning process, visit the FAQs page.
Visit FCA for more information about irrigation modernization.