Our Klamath Basin Water Crisis Upholding rural Americans

Our Klamath Basin Water Crisis
Upholding rural Americans' rights to grow food,
own property, and caretake our wildlife and natural resources.

The three following articles ran in yesterday's "Agriculture" section of the Klamath Falls Herald & News. They provide a good summary of the proactive efforts undertaken by local irrigators.

Compensating Basin irrigators

Published September 24, 2003

By BROOK REINHARD

The Klamath Water Users Association is looking for ways to get compensation for irrigators who used at least 17,000 acre-feet of groundwater in order to conserve surface water supplies in the Klamath Reclamation Project.

The association, which won a Leadership in Conservation Award from the Oregon Department of Agriculture two weeks ago for its efforts to conserve water, supported a cutback in water usage in June and July as U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Officials decided whether the Klamath Project needed to be shut down because of dwindling lake levels.

"I know it may not seem like a big deal, but we're proud of it," water users Executive Director Dan Keppen said of the award.

Keppen said in addition to using the water bank, which rewards growers who leave their land idle in a particular year, irrigators in the Basin have pumped at least 17,000 acre-feet of their own groundwater for crops without any sort of compensation.

He said the number might be closer to 34,000 acre-feet for the whole Basin by the end of the growing season.

"We're looking for ways to give people something for the costs they incurred," he said.

Keppen also complimented Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski for his interest in water issues in the Basin, adding the governor's interest probably helped keep the water flowing when the project was threatened at the end of June.

Cal-Ore Produce, a potato packing shed on Stateline Road, also won Department of Agriculture accolades, this one an Excellence in Marketing Award. Sid Staunton of Cal-Ore Produce said his company was recognized for a marketing program called "from the farm to the fork" that incorporates total quality management from the farm all the way to the retailer.

Putting a water system to the test

Published September 24, 2003

Pump efficiency testing program gives information to area farmers

By LEE BEACH

About 300 Tulelake and 50 Butte Valley growers in the Lava Beds Resource Conservation District have taken advantage of a pump efficiency testing program which provides information for an upgrade or repair of their irrigation systems and education about saving energy.

Jim Tischer, Northern California regional manager of the Center for Irrigation program, which is administered through California State University in Fresno, would like to see many more participate, especially in Butte Valley. He encourages all eligible owners of pumps to sign on to the program before the growing season ends.

A 28-foot mobile unit is taken on site to test how efficiently farmers' pumps are operating, to determine if repair or retrofitting could save them energy costs and conserve water.

"You really want to test during peak usage time. You want to reduce the amount of horsepower used for the same dollar value of energy.

"The Lava Beds district and Tulelake District of Natural Resources Conservation Service have partnered with the center to bring the Agricultural Pumping Efficiency Program to area growers. It is a statewide educational and incentive program designed to improve water pumping efficiency and promote energy conservation in agriculture.

All owners or users of an agricultural electric or natural gas utility account that are paying the Public Goods Charge (normally customers of Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas and San Diego Gas and Electric service areas) are eligible to participate in the program.

For the pump testing aspect of the program, a 28-foot mobile testing unit is taken on site to assist growers in determining how much water has to be pumped, how much is being pumped, and if it is being done efficiently.

Once the results are determined, Tischer can refer them to two state programs, one funded through the California Energy Commission, the other through the California Public Utilities Commission, which help defray from 50 to 75 percent of the cost of making necessary upgrades or repairs.

Tischer addressed factors which reduce efficiency of irrigation systems:

"If farmers are pumping from wells, as in Butte Valley, sand may wear down the impellers," he said, referring to the part of the pump down in the well which pushes the water through; the heart and soul of the pump assembly.

"If water levels are down, they may be pumping from lower levels, so the pumps run longer - more energy costs."

Tischer notes the significant difference between the Butte Valley growers and those in Tulelake:

"In Tulelake, the farmers are pumping from ditch water - using boosters into the system. Mud and algae in the canals tend to plug sprinkler heads."

An essential part of improving the efficiency of the irrigation system as a whole in both areas is walking the wheel lines to check for leaks, plugs and wearing in sprinkler heads, according to Tischer.

Saving water and energy costs are at the heart of the program. Presently, Butte Valley farmers pay market value for the energy they use. Farmers who irrigate from the Klamath Reclamation Project currently pay 6 mills per kilowatt hour. When a 50-year contract for relicensing of the Klamath River dams comes up in March, 2006, it is possible, according to Tischer, that these farmers will find themselves paying market rate as well.

Gene Kelley, District Director of the Natural Resource Conservation District in Tulelake, spoke about the two cost-sharing programs which operate under the acronym EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentive Program).

"The first program applies generally to range and wildlife uses and will share up to 50 percent of the costs of repairs and upgrading of systems. The second is a ground and surface water conservation program to assist farmers or individuals. Some of those funds are earmarked for the Klamath Basin and will cost-share up to 75 percent."

Bill Powers of Powers Hydrodynamics, Modesto, has been performing pump tests for
the Center for Irrigation Technology. He indicates that in the Lava Bed and Butte Valley district, one thousand centrifugal and deep well pumps have been identified which could be tested.

"Along with the report on pump efficiency, we also give farmers a repair estimate and an estimate of how much they'll save with more efficient pumping."

Although individual reports are confidential, Powers noted that, "At the end of the growing season, we will give a general report which will cover wells tested and how effective the pump tests and repairs were in saving energy and conserving water."

Powers will be bringing the mobile unit to Merrill the week of Sept. 29. He will be working with local irrigation districts and Rick Woodley, director of the Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District.

"We have a similar program in Klamath County," said Woodley, "but not for pump testing. We are working with the Oregon Energy Trust to secure funding for pump testing. The Oregon side is in daily contact with the Lava Beds/Butte Valley RCD."

Woodley points out that Oregon farmers who irrigate from the Klamath Reclamation Project are facing the same potential increase in power costs as those in Tulelake.

"For the last 50 years, they've (Pacific Power and Light, then Scottish Power) been using our power to turn their turbines. In return the farmers have paid reduced rates."

Regarding the negotiations which will determine how power rates for California and Oregon growers on the Klamath Reclamation Project will be affected, Woodley said, "We have wishful prayers that the contract would remain the same."

In the meantime, the Center for Irrigation Technology, conservation districts, and irrigation districts are cooperating in putting together the best information possible to help farmers manage their resources most cost-efficient and water-efficient manner.SIDEBAR:The program has four parts:

Education - Educational seminars concerning pumping plant specifications and maintenance, crop water requirements, and water measurement.

Technical assistance - Personnel are available to help in locating pump efficiency testers, completing a pump retrofit/repair incentive rebate application form, or to answer questions.

Pump efficiency tests - Rebates are paid directly to participating pump test companies for efficiency tests. Tests are available for working electric or natural gas-powered, agricultural water pumps.

Incentive rebates for pump repairs - incentive rebates are available to individuals for retrofit/repair of working electric or natural gas-powered agricultural water pumps.

The program has a limited budget. Applications for retrofit and repair rebates or pump tests are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until available funds are allocated, or Dec. 31, whichever comes first. For more information, check the CIT link at www.pumpefficiency,org, or call (800) 845-6038.

Jim Tischer can be reached at that number, or at (866) 333-8938.

Conservation meetings planned

Published September 24, 2003

Conservation district, service to help farmers develop plans

The Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will conduct a series of meetings to help farmers and ranchers develop conservation plans.

The first meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Civic Center in Merrill. Meeting planners ask farmers and ranchers to preregister by calling 883-6932, ext. 101. Preregistration will allow the staff to put together a packet for each individual.

Planners ask that each producer participate in the meetings and help in developing the plan for their own land. The conservation plans reflect current conditions and future goals of each landowner.

The plans will outline the projects producers want to undertake to improve their land. The process has many benefits including direct landowner involvement from the beginning, and helping the conservation service respond sooner to assistance requests.

The conservation service has a number of cost-share funding programs available to address resource concerns. The conservation plan is the basis for applying for assistance. The potential exists to improve irrigation systems, pursue range improvements, thin juniper stands, complete forest stand improvements and stream habitat improvements.

The Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District represents private landowners in Klamath County. The district provides input and guidance to the conservation service in putting programs to work and in providing technical assistance.

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