Klamath Water and Power Agency
KWAPA

 
 KWAPA website.

According to March 2, 2016 Herald and News, KWAPA was to close "after final funds run out," to "permanently close before April 1 (2016).

KWAPA public meeting Jan 5, 2016 "...KWAPA shutdown strategy..."

KWAPA sorts through options  A private agency may be one, H&N 12/24/15

KWAPA public meeting 9/1/15

KWAPA reinstates executive director Holly Cannon, H&N 7/30/15.

* "KWAPA Board of Directors will hold a special board meeting at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28th, 2015 at the Klamath Water and Power Agency (KWAPA) office, 735 Commercial Street, Suite 4000.  The purpose of the meeting will be to address organizational issues. The public is welcome to attend."

KWAPA’s future uncertain. Board members refuse to reinstate executive director, H&N 7/16/15. "After voting in favor of eliminating KWAPA’s executive director, KWAPA chairman Bair resigned his post as a KlD board member, therefore disqualifying himself from sitting on the KWAPA board...Heiney hinted that the KWAPA board does not have a solid plan for moving forward. He wants board members to reach out to the Bureau of Reclamation, which funds KWAPA, to start a discussion about how the rest of the year might play out."

"KWAPA Board of Directors will hold a special board meeting at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July14th at the Klamath Water and Power Agency (KWAPA) office, 735 Commercial Street, Suite 4000.  The purpose of the meeting will be to address organizational issues. The public is welcome to attend.  For more information, visit www.kwapa.org"

Irrigator support funds running out (KWAPA), H&N 7/9/15. "For several years, the program has compensated landowners for agreeing not to divert surface water to grow crops. The 2015 WUMP also included a program that reimbursed irrigators for energy costs to pump groundwater, plus $20 per acre-foot."

KWAPA July 7 AGENDA - groundwater pumping, domestic well mitigation, federal power, more...

Whistleblowers claim millions wasted in Klamath Project, Siskiyou Daily, followed by: Claim against Bureau of Reclamation gains traction as Interior Department probes drought funds’ use, H&N 7/2/15. "The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has opened an investigation into the expenditure of $48 million in taxpayer funds in the Upper Klamath Basin following a scathing whistleblower declaration. The controversy is centered on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s interactions with the Klamath Water and Power Agency (KWAPA),  an inter-governmental agency formed in 2008 by representatives of California and Oregon drainage districts within the Klamath Project."

(Klamath Project) Groundwater program is a go, H&N, 4/21/15 "  Klamath Water and Power Agency (KWAPA) has funds to help Klamath Project irrigators draw up to 40,000 acre-feet of groundwater this season... The groundwater program will reimburse irrigators for energy costs to pump groundwater, plus $20 per acre-foot...OWRD recommends irrigators only pump 15,000 acre feet this year...Project irrigators pumped roughly 84,000 acre-feet last year, causing the water table to fall up to 4 feet in some areas."
KWAPA is a "
governing body organized under the proposed Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement... Along with removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, it (the KBRA) seeks stabilized power rates and water supply for irrigators and the use of public funds to buy private land for the Klamath Tribes. "

Land idling program almost capped out. More than 600 applications filed for nearly 32,000 acres, H&N 4/17/15

KWAPA-Klamath Project Water bids due April 10th

KWAPA meeting April 7

KWAPA / Klamath Water And Power Agenda April 7, 2015 12:30 p.m.

Water program gives (Klamath) irrigators more options. Changes include more land and better water control, H&N 2/11/15. "This year, “C” irrigators — those who hold annual water rental agreements — can also apply for WUMP. According to KWAPA Executive Director Hollie Cannon, any land that is covered by the adjudication final order of determination map, or an exception to the final order map, is eligible for WUMP."

Groundwater study group meets Nov. 18

KWAPA Agenda-Special Board Meeting 11/17/14

Power deliveries yet to be finalized. Group will explore innovative avenues for cheaper power, H&N 11/6/14

Klamath Water and Power Agency / KWAPA Agenda-Special Board Meeting Nov. 17, 2014

KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency public monthly meeting agenda for 10/7/14 Water demand management, groundwater and wells, federal power, WUMP / water users management plan

Groundwater aquifers under stress. Families drilling deeper to reach precious water supply. H&N 8/14/14

BOR, PacifiCorp reach agreement on reservoir releases  H&N, posted to KBC 8/16/14. "According to KWAPA Executive Director Hollie Cannon, the combination of consecutive drought years and new rules in place to protect endangered fish in the Klamath watershed means irrigators are given less surface water, forcing them to turn to groundwater..."

(Klamath) Project irrigators in limbo over power costs, H&N 8/7/14. "Gary Derry, who is a member of the KWAPA and Shasta View Irrigation District boards, pointed out Shasta View’s power budget has increased from $36,000 in 2005 to $532,080 in 2014. This year’s figure is more than a half a million dollars despite at least $500,000 in energy improvements that have been made within the last five years, he said.... 'It’s absolutely outrageous.' Derry told the KWAPA board he has always believed the federal energy deliveries would be secured through political action. But from a KWAPA standpoint, Derry said, he thinks the board has hit a brick wall."

6/24+25 meetings Klamath On Project plan. Comments due July 15

Plan stalls: PacifiCorp fee halts talks. Power transition for local irrigators at standstill, H&N, posted to KBC 7/3/14.
* "
I think you guys are taking a windfall off the irrigators’ backs,” said board member Gary Wright."
* "
The fee could mean a 2- to 3-cent per kilowatt increase for Basin farmers, according to Dean Brockbank, vice president and general counsel of PacifiCorp." "
* "
Cannon (KWAPA director) said he estimates that for every penny the power rate goes up, PacifiCorp collects an additional $1.3 million. Since 2006, PacifiCorp has taken an extra $13 million per year out of the Basin, he said."
* " 'It’s a giant crapshoot. I think a lot more of this information should have been brought forward in good faith a long, long time ago,' (Matt) Walter (Upper Klamath Water Users Association leader)said."
* "The federal power program is part of the 2010 Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the Klamath Basin Hydroelectric Settlement. The agreements seek to establish reliable water supplies and affordable power rates for irrigators, restore fish habitat, help the Klamath Tribes acquire the 92,000-acre Mazama Tree Farm and remove four dams on the Klamath River.

KWAPA public board meeting Agenda July 1, 2014. Discussion with PacifiCorp, Groundwater, well monitoring, On Project Plan, ....

Letter from disillusioned Upper Klamath Water Users Association leader and KBRA/KHSA proponent regarding PacifiCorp and KBRA, 6/26/14. "I do not believe PC has bargained in good faith as implied in the KHSA. We have been working on the federal power delivery concept (Interconnect Study) for more then 4 years. We have spent 1000's of man hours and 100k"s of tax payer dollars to get to where we are today. The conclusion of 3/4 to 1 cent benefit which in the words of the consultant "is in the margin of error" is a poor result for all the work...."

PacifiCorp responds to KWAPA/Klamath Water and Power questions regarding KBRA-promised power rates, transitioning to federal power, consequences if people leave PacifiCorp, posted to KBC 7/1/14. "...Responses to specific KWAPA questions: 1. What is the cost for an irrigator to leave PAC energy? Answer: PacifiCorp does not intend to propose an exit fee for an irrigator to leave PAC energy.  However, the OPUC and other customers will be concerned about shifting costs to other Oregon customers as a result of irrigators moving to federal power.  As discussed above, the OPUC may impose a transition charge on irrigator loads switching to federal power.  This transition charge could be as high as 6-8 cents/kwh...."

On Project Plan meetings June 24 and 25th, Comments Due. Project irrigators seek input on water usage plan; Creators of the plan hope it will move irrigators away from inconsistent water deliveries, H&N, posted to KBC 6/23/14. "The 2010 KBRA settlement and the related Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement seek to establish reliable water supplies and affordable power rates for irrigators, restore fish habitat, help the Klamath Tribes acquire the 92,000-acre Mazama Tree Farm and remove four dams on the Klamath River"

KWAPA agrees to fund project. Data from agencies monitoring Klamath Project groundwater wells put into one online database, H&N 5/7/14. "Cannon explained that implementing a groundwater monitoring system to ensure sustainable use also is a condition of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. 'If the KBRA were to be approved today, we would be behind schedule because we need this information in place,' he said."  
KBC NOTE: From the 2012 Tulelake Irrigation District groundwater management plan fact sheet, "The Plan is not a requirement of, and is not being developed for, the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) or the "on-Project Plan" of the KBRA...this groundwater management plan will not regulate groundwater within the plan area..."

Irrigators have payment options for water supply, H&N, posted to KBC 3/31/14. "The 2014 Klamath Water and Power Agency (KWAPA) on-project Water User Mitigation Plan (WUMP) will pay irrigators the cost of electricity to pump irrigation water plus $20 per acre-foot..."
California's Water Market 2012: p 34 -
"Because the bulk of the environmental market requires funding, an important question is: Where does the money come from? Roughly $547 million (2011 dollars) were spent on the 4.5 maf acquired between 1982 and 2011—costing an average of $122 per acre-foot. When these purchases have been made in the short-term market (as with the EWA prior to the Yuba Accord), the average prices paid have been higher than in the longer-term agreements, such as WAP purchases for instream flows."

Applications due 2/21 to retire 2014 water rights

KWAPA 2014 WUMP program presented 2/10/14 to around 200 Klamath Project irrigators. The "purposed is to close gap between supply and demand." They are looking for willing sellers of their 2014 water rights. Bid process ends soon. Explains the block of water to divide may be zero.

KWAPA Power Point On Project Plan presented at public meetings presented January 2014. An on-Project plan is mandated in the proposed controversial KBRA to allocate water when we are not allowed our full deeded supply.  The goal is to balance and manage water within the Klamath Project. Explains that Project will receive block of water to divide.

KWAPA meeting Irrigation leaders convene to create an on-Project plan for this summer, H&N 1/29/14. "According to Greg Addington, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA), the goal of the “On-Project Plan” (OPP) is to establish blocks of water for irrigators that cannot be influenced by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or other regulatory entities. If funded by Congress, the OPP could be in use as early as 2022. 'No involuntary shortages; that is the goal of this whole program,' he said. The long-term plan is an extension of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA), a 2010 settlement intended establish reliable water supplies and affordable power rates for irrigators and restore fish habitat, Addington said." “ 'You will know on March 1 how much water can be pulled out of the system,' said Dan Keppen, executive director of the Family Farm Alliance."

Klamath Project bid applicants for retiring 2014 water rights: Water Loopholes closed, new penalties in place; applicants must refrain from using surface water, H&N 1/23/14. PUBLIC MEETING 2/10/14 at 4pm

KWAPA - On Project Plan Newsletter 12/2013, "On behalf of Dan Keppen and KWAPA I would like to send you a copy of the final OPPortunities Newsletter,"  from Chelsea Shearer, Executive Assistant to Greg Addington, KWUA. "At the last OPPAC meeting considerable discussion centered on one potential demand management option still under consideration—the “Farmer Leaseback Program” or “Beginning Farmer Program”. If this option were implemented, KWAPA would use up front money to purchase land outright, and use these lands over the long-term to help provide a means of generating water savings through demand management activities."

Monday Oct 3, Klamath Falls, meeting about signing up for cheaper power rater for irrigators, "Water For Power" (Approximately 50 people attended this meeting.
Below is the audio and some quotes from the Tulelake meeting:
AUDIO 9/28/11 - Klamath Basin "Power for Water Agreement" Holly Cannon, KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency (power part of the KBRA / Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement), Executive Director, held meeting in Tulelake to urge irrigators to sign onto the "low-cost power for water" agreement..."...that's what the KBRA is about, is bringing "low-cost power..."
Cannon: "What you're giving up is water to get affordable power."
Q "What is the acre feet that we're giving away for this cheaper power rate?"
A  Cannon: "I'd say 20-25%, but it varies year to year.....What you're giving up is water to get affordable power...KWAPA is doing an On-Project plan that is designing how you're going to give up water..." 
Q "What happens if we find out with the program it looks good, then all of a sudden it could be higher than the tariff rate? You can't guarantee what that rate's going to be."
Cannon, "We can't guarantee it."
Q "It might not be that golden egg ...and the landlord says, 'no I don't want this,' and then he's stuck with it... and then it could be a liability problem too." 
Cannon, "it could be,"  
Q "and then he  comes back on whoever signs the contract."

Cannon, "yeah."
There is more discussion and clarification by Cannon, Tulelake Irrigation District manager Earl Donosky, and Klamath Water Users Association President Gary Wright regarding the benefits of the KBRA, and also discussion about prerogatives of PacifiCorp.

 

KWAPA / KWUA Combined Agenda 9/3/13

KWAPA / KWUA Combined Agenda September 3, 2013

KWAPA public meeting agenda 7/9/13. adjudication, groundwater, impact on refuges...followed by KWAPA meeting with KWUA agenda.

KWAPA special public meeting agenda 6/14/13

KWAPA/Klamath Water and Power Agency meeting 6/4/13.

Agency looks to curtail water usage, (Klamath) Group is preparing for drought, H&N, posted to KBC 5/9/13.

KWAPA agenda 5/7/13.

KWAPA special public meeting 4/9/13

KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency OPP / On-Project Plan "community meeting" March 14, 3 p.m. at Merrill Civic Center. The meeting gives a "brief background of the KBRA/Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the On-Project Plan." "The KBRA describes certain agreed upon 'Diversion Limits' for water diverted from Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath River ..."

KWAPA / KBRA - Klamath On Project Plan Newsletter 3/13/13. "Dan Keppen has created the OPP newsletter Issue 5." Keppen is a former employee of Bureau of Reclamation, former director of Klamath Water Users Association, and currently works for KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency, and is the Executive Director of Family Farm Alliance. The newsletter explains several of the water management details mandated for KWAPA by the KBRA/Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, including "water transfers and water acquisitions." Keppen's newsletter explains why KWAPA determined, "Storage Option Not Recommended for Further Study." The KBRA mandates California to have a groundwater management plan with "no adverse impacts." "This voluntary action has been taken recently by Tulelake Irrigation District..." There will be a "limit on diversion." OPP's first goal and objective is to "meet commitments specified in the KBRA."

KWAPA - Snow a welcome sign for irrigators, H&N 2/20/13. Includes groundwater and demand management programs.

Klamath Water and Power Agency / KWAPA Public Meeting Agenda for Feb. 5, 2013

Agenda January 8, 2013 @ 12:30 PM, KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency, "8B: Reclamation recommending plan for 150,000 AF shortage"

KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency public meeting 10/16/12.

On-Project Advisory Committee (OPPAC)Meeting 9/10/12.

Agenda On-Project Advisory Committee (OPPAC) Sept 10, 2012 Meeting

KWAPA public meeting agenda 7/5/12

KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency public meeting agenda for 7/5/12

An answer for farmers, finally, H&N by Cordy Starr, posted to KBC 6/22/12. "...in an article written about Hollie Cannon, an employee of the Klamath Water and Power agency, said if the KBRA is implemented and “If we are successful with the on project plan, there will be hardly any change for the on-project farmer. Under the KBRA, less water will be allocated to the project, compared to the wettest years now but the irrigators will have the choice to participate in programs that pay them to conserve water and use ground wells.”

Fighting drought is Hollie Cannon’s No. 1 goal, H&N 6/8/12. "The KBRA and a related water settlement aim to remove four Klamath River dams, provide reliable water supplies and affordable power for irrigators, restore fish habitat, and acquire a 92,000-acre tree farm for the Klamath Tribes." KBC Editor: When asked recently about the KBRA, KWAPA director Cannon said, "What you're giving up is water to get affordable power...I'd say 20-25%."  When asked if the affordable power rate was guaranteed in the KBRA, Cannon replied, ""We can't guarantee it." ALSO, at another KWAPA meeting, MBK engineer stated that 'water certainty,' or a "reliable" water supply means that every spring the farmer will be told on a certain date how much water they will be allowed to use.

Farmers sued over drought funding; local agency (KWAPA): Walker Brothers farm didn’t qualify for $200,000, H&N 6/5/12. "Listed in the suit are William, John and Weston Walker and Tricia Hill doing business as Walker Brothers, a Merrill based potato and grain farming business."  KBC EDITOR: Tricia Hill, listed in the lawsuit, is a member of Klamath Water Users Association / board of directors. KWUA formed KWAPA. Please note that H&N wrote no statement from Walkers in their article.

6/5/12: deadline to apply for first land idling period.

Plan in place to ease moderate drought, basin irrigation officials say idling will save 10,000 acre-feet of water this summer, H&N 5/31/12. "The first land idling period begins June 15 and the deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 5."

KWAPA public meeting 3/26/12

KWAPA public meeting 3/22/12

KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency special public meeting 3/15/12.

KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency, Agenda, posted 3/12/12.

KWAPA 3/6/12

KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency public meeting agenda 3/6/12: new officers, land idling, groundwater monitoring, On Project Plan (part of KBRA), ...

KWAPA meeting 2/15/12 regarding Klamath Project water supply, groundwater and land idling.

KWAPA /Klamath Water and Power public meeting 2/7/12. 7) "...USGS report on groundwater model 8) Shall KWAPA approve the KBRA amendments.  9) OPP report..."  

Groundwater program begins signing up well owners for 2012 growing season, posted to KBC 1/26/12

2 public KWAPA meetings on Klamath On Project Plan, 12/9/11. KBC NOTE: The KBRA mandates an On Project plan.

Klamath Water and Power Agency Public Meeting Dec 6, 2011

KWAPA - Klamath Water and Power Agency Public Meeting Dec 6, 2011

Klamath Water and Power Agency KWAPA public meeting 11/1/11

Klamath Water and Power Agency / KWAPA, first OPP / On Project Plan newsletter 10/13/11. "How the OPP Changes the Status Quo...'Studies estimate that surface water alone should meet the project irrigation demand in at least 50 percent of the years...' "

KWAPA / Klamath Water and Power Agency Public Meeting Oct. 4 

KWAPA On-Project Plan Advisory Committee (OPPAC) 9/22/11. 

Klamath Water and Power Agency/KWAPA meeting 8/31/11. Agenda HERE

KWAPA meeting Aug. 31, 2011 Agenda: Tulelake groundwater metering, KBRA, domestic well program, On Project Plan (of KBRA), ...

PUBLIC MEETING: Initial Meeting of the On-Project Plan Advisory Committee (OPPAC) for the KBRA 8/24/11.

KWAPA public meeting notice and agenda for 6/7/11

KWAPA meeting 4/5/11

KWAPA Mar 4, 2011

PUBLIC NOTICE:  There will be an open public meeting held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2011, at the KWAPA office located at 735 Commercial Street, Suite 4000, Klamath Falls, OR 97601.  This meeting will be held to open sealed proposals received on March 4, 2011, by 12:00 p.m. for the Data Analyst Statement of Qualifications for the Groundwater Use Efficiency Analysis.

Klamath Water and Power Agency meeting 1/4/11

KWAPA meeting Nov 2

Klamath Water and Power Meeting Agenda for 11/02/10

Reclamation Announces Additional Funds for Langell Valley Irrigation District Contractors, BOR, posted to KBC 10/26/10

KWAPA public meeting 10/18/10

KWAPA Supplemental Land Idling Program for area served by Upper Klamath Lake and Klamath River, Application DEADLINE 10/15/10

Klamath Water And Power Agency public meeting 10/18/10

Supplemental Land Idling Program for area served by Upper Klamath Lake and Klamath River, posted to KBC 10/5/10 Klamath Water And Power Agency/KWAPA, DEADLINE Oct. 15.KWAPA board OKs fund plan for Langell Valley, H&N 7/1/10

KWAPA public meeting 6/25/10, Langell Valley forbearance program

Klamath Water and Power Agency/KWAPA, public board of directors meeting 11/3/09

KWAPA/Klamath Water And Power Agency public board meeting 10/20/09

Klamath Water and Power Agency public meeting 9/18/09
Sent to KBC:
"Oregon public meetings law allows for executive sessions for a number of reasons. If you are interested in the extent of those exemptions just Google ORS, then click on chapter 192, then scroll down to 192.660 (2) (f) for the specific exclusion."

Monday March 23, 2009. Klamath Water and Power Agency meeting. This is the group that will be allocating your water and power within or without the KBRA.

Bureau of Reclamation will begin study; Bids being solicited for groundwater substitution options, storage programs. H&N 1/22/09. KBC Note: It was initially stated that the water bank would be run by KWAPA..?

Public meeting of Klamath Water and Power Agency board of directors on Jan 15, 2009

Water agreement a chance to work together, H&N opinion by Ed Bair, posted 9/22/08

New group may run water bank, H&N 8/23/08

New Klamath water agency to meet; New group includes irrigation district reps, H&N August 20, 2008

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