Klamath Irrigation District
 Board Meeting Minutes

August 10, 2006

Agenda in Blue
Minutes in Black  

Approval of Minutes 7/13/06

Approval of vouchers and warrants  

Old Business    

1.       Adjudication  

Dave Solem and Bill Ganong met with Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to resolve mapping differences in the Project irrigators claim in the Klamath River Adjudication, regarding place of use.  We are now waiting for the final table from OWRD.

2.        Lawsuits/legal

a.      Takings

Nothing new to report.

b.      PCFFA II

Solem reported that the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) has filed an appeal in the PCFFA II suit.

c.       Straits Drain

Ganong will review the federal government proposed draft settlement agreement in the Klamath Straits Drain suit, and report at the September Board meeting.

d.      ONRC v. DEQ

Solem updated the Board on the ONRC vs. DEQ suit.  Solem attended a 3 hour deposition in Ashland .  If ONRC prevails in the suit, it may require consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for NPDES permits issued.

3.       Power/KWUA/PUD

a.      FERC Tour

Solem attended a 2 day FERC tour of the hydro facilities in the Klamath River from Iron Gate Dam to Link River .  The tour addressed fish passage and reintroduction above the dams.

Solem reported that the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) is discussing the process to form a PUD with an intergovernmental agreement, under KID’s PUD authority.

b.     Executive Session

4.       Lien collections

a.      Montoya collection

After discussion, the Board agreed to follow Ganong’s recommendation in the handling of accounts in bankruptcy.  The liens on 3909-15AA-12200 will be released and all charges will be written off ($215.14).  In the future, the Board will discuss similar situations before taking action.

5.       Other

None.

New Business

1.      Lake levels, BOR letter

The Board discussed Upper Klamath Lake elevations.  Target levels in the Biological Opinion (BO) have not been met.  The BOR has received a 60-day notice of intent to sue from the Klamath Tribes for failure to meet lake levels.

Solem stated that it has been reported that Alice Kilham and Richard Geary have sold their property at Caledonia (which once was part of the Geary Brothers Ranch) to Jeld Wen. 

Jeld Wen will repair the dike that was breached earlier in the season. 

2.      Water Delivery Issues

a.      C-6 lateral users 6:00 pm

Solem and Ross Fleming met with landowners on the C-6 lateral off Dehlinger Lane .  Several landowners are served through a small concrete pipe and are unable to get the amount of water they wish to use.  Solem will develop an estimate to replace the existing pipe and contact NRCS to determine if some financial assistance is available to help with the cost of the project.  Landowners were invited to this meeting but cancelled – they will come to the September meeting instead.

b.     Aquatic weeds treatments; chaining equipment

Solem reported that due to the change in weather and demand reduction for water, the aquatic week problem seems to be under control.  Solem will prepare a proposal to address additional mechanical control in the 2007 water season.

c.      North Poe Valley pump

The Board discussed the fluctuation of water levels in the old Lost River channel and a shared pump agreement with Tom DeJong.  The Board agreed to pursue the pump agreement and to attempt to control water levels in the Lost River channel.

3.       Maintenance

Solem and Earl Danowsky from Tulelake Irrigation District will meet with BOR to discuss future Klamath Project construction, operation and maintenance.

a.      Stutzer, A-7-a

Solem will contact Lila Stutzer to negotiate a right-of-way on a portion of the A-7 lateral across the front of her property in exchange for a new pipe crossing to replace the one that is failing and causing flooding.

b.     A Canal culvert under crossing at KOA

Solem updated the Board on the status of a box culvert under the A-Canal next to the KOA campground.  It appears the box culvert carries drain water from Enterprise Irrigation District, Klamath County and Oregon Department of Transportation.  Ganong will write a formal letter to those entities informing them that the responsibility for repairs to the culvert and the potential liability if the culvert fails belongs to someone other than KID.

c.      Matney washout

Solem reported that landowner Dave Matney forgot to place an end plug in a wheel line and caused a wash out on the C-Canal.  District crews have repaired the damage.  The Board discussed concerns of an adjacent landowner who uses the ditch bank to access their property.

4.      Hill claim

Solem reported that Bill and Tori Hill have declined the Boards $1,500. offer to settle a claim for damages due to a fire.  Solem has turned the claim into the District’s insurance.

5.      Election

Solem reported that valid election petitions for Director of Zone 2 (currently held by Ross Fleming) must be in the District office by October 10, 2006 .  The election will be held November 14, 2006 .

6.      Ballot Measure 37

The Board discussed Ballot Measure 37 and how it may affect the District.  The Board agreed a policy needs to be developed to place conditions on development that will protect the District and its landowners.

7.      Barnes Ranch

Solem reported that the acquisition of the Barnes Ranch by The Nature Conservancy is nearly complete.  Two-thirds will eventually belong to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and one-third will belong to BOR.

8.      Exclusion

The board approved one exclusion.

9.      Other

None.

KID Board Meeting September 14