January 15, 2011

   As a federal Bureau of Reclamation manager there, he said communication was key to addressing issues.

   As the new area manager for the BOR’s Klamath Reclamation Project, which faces similar challenges, he said he’ll use the same strategy.

   “(San Joaquin and the Klamath Basin) are strikingly similar in the debate and things that need to be resolved,” he said. “My job is to provide irrigators with water. We need to see ourselves as being on the same team.  

   “We need frequent communication so people know where we’re coming from and why we’re making the decisions we’re making.”

   Phillips, a Salem native and Portland State University graduate, started as area manager in January, following Sue Fry’s departure to the BOR’s new office in the Bay-Delta area of California’s Central Valley. He is the fourth area manager in the Basin in five years.

   “I understand concern with turnover at this level,” he said. “I owe the community and the (BOR) staff to get to know the project.”

   Phillips moved from Sacramento with his wife and three children after a decade at that office. His wife enjoys the views off Foothills Boulevard while his kids have ice skated at the Bill Collier Community Ice Arena and hit baseballs at the Steen Sports Park batting cages, he said.

   For his part, Phillips is playing catch-up with complex issues like the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and its associated hydroelectric agreement. Generally, he said, he supports agreements like KBRA. “A lot of uncertainty goes away with the KBRA,” he said.

   His top priority, he said, is understanding how the new biological opinions that   require both higher lake levels and increased river f lows will impact water deliveries.

   “That’s the biggest changing variable right now,” he said.

   In addition to becoming versed on the KBRA, biological opinions, and other regulations, Phillips will spend the next few months going out into the Project and talking with irrigators to learn what they’re most concerned about.

   “I’d like to carve out some time to play golf by the time June hits,” Phillips said with a laugh. “Hopefully I’ll be down to a 50-hour week then.”