Klamath Basin: Norton, Veneman Open 'A' Canal Headgates
U.S. Newswire
29 Mar 17:12
Klamath Basin Federal Working Group: Secretaries Norton, Veneman,
Sen. Smith Open 'A' Canal Headgates, Provide Water To Irrigators
To: National Desk
Contact: Mark Pfeifle of DOI, 202-208-6416;
Jeff McCracken of BOR, 916-978-5100 or 916-769-1109;
Alisa Harrison of USDA, 202-720-4623
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore., March 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Secretary of
the Interior Gale Norton, Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman and
U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith opened the "A" Canal headgates today as a
first step in delivering water to Klamath Basin irrigators for the
2002 growing season. These preliminary water deliveries will begin
the process of charging the canal.
"We are pleased to be able to open these headgates to provide
water to farmers," Norton said. "We have work to do. The law and
the condition of the basin constrain our discretion. But our
objectives are clear. As the president has directed, our goals are
to protect farm families, restore the health of the ecosystem,
honor our trust responsibilities to tribes and recover endangered
species."
Water delivery to the Klamath Basin will begin as the
consultation process for the 10-year operation of the Klamath
Project moves forward with the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), she said.
Based on a preliminary analysis, the storage supply available in
the Klamath Basin system, combined with projected inflow to the
Klamath Project, is believed to be sufficient to meet both
irrigation requirements and any potential endangered species needs
in 2002.
"This is an important step in ensuring farmers and ranchers in
the region have adequate water supplies," Veneman said. "There is
still a great deal of work to be done and this administration
continues its commitment to help farmers and ranchers recover from
losses suffered last year."
At first, about 60 cubic feet per second will be released to
charge the system. Gradually, over the next 10 days, the rate will
be increased to prepare the canal to deliver water to irrigation
districts by mid-to-late April. The irrigation season normally runs
from April through September.
Both NMFS and FWS are working on long term Biological Opinions
in response to the Biological Assessment that Reclamation issued
Feb. 27. Those opinions will provide the basis for long term
Klamath Basin water allocations from 2002 to 2012.
NMFS and FWS have agreed through informal consultation and
interim formal consultation that the Bureau of Reclamation's
operations will not jeopardize endangered species during the months
of April and May 2002. Reclamation has committed to immediately
take certain actions, including implementing measures to reduce
entrainment of suckers into the "A" Canal.
To reduce entrainment of fish throughout the 10-year project,
Reclamation plans for a fish screen at the "A" Canal Headgates have
been accelerated. The cabinet-level Klamath River Basin Federal
Working Group, appointed by President Bush on March 1, has
announced that construction of the screen will be advanced to
protect endangered species living in Upper Klamath Lake.
Reclamation's fiscal year 2003 budget request to Congress
includes funding to complete the installation of the fish screen,
with construction expected to begin this fall and completion
scheduled by April 1, 2003. Design is essentially complete, with
a contract award expected by early August.
President Bush instructed the Working Group to find short-term
and long-term solutions to the challenges affecting farmers,
ranchers, fishermen, tribes and others in the Klamath River. The
working group is chaired by Norton. Other members include Veneman,
Commerce Secretary Don Evans, and James Connaughton, chairman of
the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
------
Questions and Answers on Klamath Water Release
Contact: Mark Pfeifle, DOI, 202-208-6416
-- Is it consistent with the Endangered Species Act to release
water before you have a final Biological Opinion?
Yes, the Bureau of Reclamation has consulted with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) on the operations of the project facilities during April and
May while the final Biological Opinions (BOs) are being completed.
Based on a preliminary analysis, the storage supply available in
the Klamath Basin system, combined with projected inflow to the
Klamath Project, is believed to be sufficient to meet both
irrigation requirements and any potential endangered species needs
in 2002.
-- Do you have a "take permit" for sucker fish entrained in the
A Canal after the opening?
Reclamation has received coverage of potential incidental take
from the Fish and Wildlife Service associated with the entrainment
of fish into the A canal. Reclamation will mitigate the potential
take of fish by stringing a temporary net (fish screen) across the
mouth of the A canal. In addition, a deflection curtain will be
installed to keep larval suckers away from the canal entrance.
-- Why don't you wait until the final Opinions are completed
before opening the gates?
The normal irrigation year begins around April 1. Unfortunately,
Reclamation's deliberations and modifications to the final
Biological Assessment (BA) have somewhat delayed the completion of
the final BOs by FWS and NMFS. To reconcile the delay, Reclamation
has sought a temporary authorization to operate from the two
agencies for the months of April and May while the long-term
(10-year) operating opinion is completed.
-- How much water are you releasing now that you've opened the
gates?
There is approximately 60 CFS entering the canal.
-- When will the farmers know what their water supply for this
year will be?
Reclamation will not have a completely accurate assessment of
the water year until after the April 1, inflow forecast is
received. Normally the projection for the available water supply
for the irrigation season is developed April 10.
-- Will the refuges get a water supply this year?
It is anticipated that all water supply requirements will be met
this year.
-- Do you plan on having security at the headgates this year?
We have no reason to believe that security will be a problem
this year.
-- What is Reclamation doing to benefit suckers and salmon?
Reclamation's BA follows the recommendations from the National
Academy of Sciences' National Research Council to operate the water
regime as it has operated in the previous 10 years. In addition, as
recommended by the council, Reclamation is moving forward to
construct the fish screen in front of the A canal to prevent the
entrainment of fish. Reclamation also has proposed a water bank
which would be used to meet lake levels and in-stream flow needs of
the fish.
-- When do you expect to receive the Bos?
The draft Bos are expected on April 12, and the final Bos are
expected June 3.
-- When will construction of the A canal fish screen begin?
Construction should begin in August or September 2002 and be
essentially complete by April 2003.
-- Do you anticipate any demonstrations this year?
We have no reason to believe that there will be concerns with
the operations of the Klamath Basin project this year.
-- Will there be adequate water for the project this year?
The current snow pack is above 120 percent of normal. Inflows
to the lake are expected to be around 70 percent of normal. This
equates to a "below average" water year, but Reclamation
anticipates, based on existing information, that this year's supply
will meet the needs of the irrigators, Tribal Trust
responsibilities and endangered species requirements.
-- What will the water bank program be for the coming season?
Reclamation has 25,000 acre feet of water in off-stream storage
for later use this water year. Other components of the water bank
are expected to be developed over the near term.
-- What is happening with the pilot oxygenation project (POP)?
As originally proposed, the POP required significant
modification to meet the unique requirements of Upper Klamath Lake.
It is hoped the POP will demonstrate the merits of large scale
oxygenation of Upper Klamath Lake during periods of extremely poor
water quality. The POP is only a test project that could lead to a
much larger project if it proves feasible. Reclamation is now
proceeding to initiate the permitting process for the POP, which
could take up to several years.
-- Will Reclamation be using ground water for supplementation of
river water?
We do not believe that ground water pumping will be necessary
given the current runoff forecast.
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