Rogue River Valley Irrigation District

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Medford, OR - (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.

By converting open-ditch irrigation canals into underground pipe systems or lining the District’s open canals, the proposed project could reduce conveyance and operational losses over the irrigation season and improve the District’s ability to efficiently provide water to its patrons. The project is sponsored by RRVID, with funding and technical support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon. Farmers Conservation Alliance is assisting with the planning process as a contractor.

Public Meeting July 18

Members of the public were invited to provide input to help guide planning efforts during a scoping meeting on July 18, 2023 at 6 p.m. The meeting was held at the Rogue Community College – Table Rock Campus Room 184 – 7800 Pacific Ave, White City, OR, 97503. Participants had an opportunity to learn more about the proposed infrastructure improvements and submit their comments, ideas, and concerns. Meeting slides are available below.

Public comments may be submitted from June 29, 2023 through August 15, 2023. Comments may be emailed to rrvid.comments@gmail.com, submitted on this form, left as a voice message at (541) 716-6085, or mailed to: Farmers Conservation Alliance, Attn: RRVID Scoping, 102 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031.

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 for the purpose of watershed protection, flood prevention, erosion and sediment control, water supply, water quality, and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement.

For more information about this and other irrigation modernization projects in Oregon visit 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 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.