Klamath Basin waterbank deadline 020606

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Water bank deadline Feb. 16

2/3/06
   Applications for the 2006 Pilot Water Bank are due at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Bureau of Reclamation’s Klamath Basin area office.
   Several programs make up the water bank, including onand off-project storage, dry-land operation and ground water substitution options.
   Bids are now being accepted for dry-land operation and ground water substitution.
   Dry-land operation applies to those willing to forego irrigation of their lands during the 2006 irrigation season in exchange for payment. Ground water substitution options apply to those who are willing to alternate between surface water irrigation and ground water irrigation at the Bureau’s direction during the 2006 season.
   Payment for the ground water substitution program will be based on the documented quantity of ground water pumped.
   It is possible the Bureau may not make a request 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 appears likely no drought permits will be issued this year.
   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, known as C lands. Eligibility is limited to field units that have been irrigated in the recent past.
   Field units must have been irrigated, either with surface or ground water, in at least one of the past three years, 2003, 2004 or 2005.
   Only complete field units of at least 20 contiguous acres are eligible.
   The Pilot Water Bank is required by a 2002 National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration-Fisheries Biological Opinion on Klamath Project operations and is used to benefit Klamath River flows for threatened coho salmon.
   For more information, call the Klamath Basin Area Office at 883-6935.
   Program information, application forms, and a sample contract are available on the Klamath Basin Office Web site Area