Klamath Basin Water 2007 waterbank 122006

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

Mid-Pacific Region, Bureau of Reclamation
Sacramento, CA MP-06-128

December 20, 2006

Call for Applications for 2007 Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Study

The Bureau of Reclamation’s Klamath Basin Area Office announces implementation of the 2007 Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Study (WSES). The 2000 Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act authorizes Reclamation to study various aspects of water development and marketing in the Klamath Basin. Under this authority, Reclamation may acquire up to 100,000 acre-feet of water in 2007 above Keno Dam in Oregon to use during the irrigation season. The water will be used as needed to supplement agricultural water demand while meeting the court ordered flows in the Klamath River. The WSES consists of several programs, including on- and off-Project storage, dryland operation, ground-water-pumping, and ground-water substitution options. Reclamation is now soliciting bids for the dryland operation and ground-water substitution options programs for the WSES.

For dryland operation, Reclamation is accepting applications from individuals, groups, partnerships, and companies willing to forego irrigation of their lands during the 2007 irrigation season in exchange for payment. For ground-water substitution options, Reclamation is accepting applications from individuals, groups, partnerships, and companies willing to alternate between surface water irrigation and ground-water irrigation during the 2007 irrigation season at Reclamation’s request. Payment will be based on the documented quantity of ground-water pumped. It is possible Reclamation may not make a request for ground-water substitution at any time during the irrigation season, in which case no payment will be made. Oregon landowners must provide documentation of a Supplemental Water Right for the ground-water sources and fields in this program, as it is unknown whether drought permits will be issued in 2007.

Participation is open to all users of surface water above Keno Dam, including non-Project users, except lands above Harpold Dam, Federal lease lands, and lands under temporary surplus water contracts (“C lands”). Eligibility is limited to field units that have been irrigated in the recent past. Field units must have been irrigated (surface or ground water) in at least one of the past 3 years (2004, 2005, or 2006). Only complete field units of at least 20 contiguous acres are eligible.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Klamath Basin Area Office for details. Starting on Monday, January 8, 2007, applicants may make an appointment to discuss their particular operational situation prior to submittal of their final bid. Completed and signed applications and all documentation must be submitted for consideration to the Klamath Basin Area Office, 6600 Washburn Way, Klamath Falls, OR 97603, by 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2007.

Program information, application forms, and a sample contract are available on the Klamath Basin Area Office Web site at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/kbao. For additional information, please contact Ms. Jennifer Birri, Mr. Mike Neuman, or Mr. Bud Zangger at 541-883-6935 or by e-mail at jbirri@mp.usbr.gov, mneuman@mp.usbr.gov, or ezangger@mp.usbr.gov.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov.