Klamath Irrigation District
Board Meeting Notes
 August 11, 2005

 

Agenda in Blue
Notes in Black

Approval of Minutes 7/14/05
Approval of vouchers and warrants


Old Business

  1. Adjudication
    1. Rulemaking

The board discussed the rulemaking process in the Klamath River Adjudication and proposed rules regarding moving diversion points including individual’s pumps in laterals.  The Chiloquin dam removal and change to a pumping station on the Williamson River would be a change in diversion point.  How will this affect the historical date of diversion for the Modoc Point irrigators?

  1. Lawsuit/legal
    1. Takings

Nothing new to report.  Still waiting for Judge Allegra to rule.

    1. PCFFA II

The Tribes have asked Judge Armstrong to reverse her decision and she declined.  They then appealed to the 9th Circuit Court.  Solem reported that they are waiting for a decision from the 9th Circuit Court regarding the appeal.

    1. Straits Drain

The planned August 4th settlement meeting was postponed. – the U.S. Attorney got sick.  The Klamath Forest Alliance has fired their attorney – don’t know what this will mean – they were the lead plaintiffs.  The judge hearing this suit wants to dismiss it because it has been going on for so long.

    1. NPDES permit challenge

N.W. Environmental Defense Center has filed a petition with the Oregon DEQ requesting reconsideration in issuing NPDES permits.  The 60-day deadline for reconsideration has expired for KID’s permit, but not for 8 other irrigation districts.  Solem feels that legislation will be required to clarify that canal water is not waters of the State of Oregon .

  1. Power

Solem updated the board on the ongoing power rate negotiations.  The committee continues to pursue an extension of the current contract until FERC relicensing is complete.  Scottish Power selling Pacific Power has changed the dynamics of the FERC process.  A FERC relicensing settlement meeting is scheduled for the week of August 3rd.

  1. PP&L bill, Qwest bill

Solem reported the Pacific Power has written off the balances of two bills for damages to Pacific Power facilities that KID contested.

Solem continues to work with Qwest Communications to rescind a bill for damages where KID crews did not excavate near the BMX Track.

  1. Other

None

New Business

  1. 2005 Klamath Project operations
    1. Shutoff date

The board discussed current Upper Klamath Lake levels, inflows and releases.  The board set October 14, 2005 as the tentative shut off date for the 2005 season.  The board may reconsider this date depending on the weather.

Different species of fish that used to go into the A Canal are now going down the Link River and through the dam.  Once they get down to Lake Ewauna , they don’t know were to go.  Some of these fish were lost in the fish die-off earlier this summer.

Solem reported that our cooler temperatures would help fish.  Cecil Lesley from the BOR met with downstream users and things are quiet for now due to above average releases downstream.  The water temperature at the mouth of the Klamath River was 77 degrees last week.  Still too warm for spawning salmon.

  1. Rental Water

The board agreed that those water users irrigating non-project ground and who have not purchased Contract Water, will be billed and sent a letter explaining that no water will be delivered – for the rest of this irrigation season nor next year -  to any property in their ownership until the billing is paid in full.

  1. KWUA

Klamath Water Users Association, in an effort to generate new interest, is currently trying to bring new members into the organization and onto existing committees.

KWUA is beginning to work on their 2006 budget.  Due to ongoing expense in the power negotiations and pending legal issues, the KWUA may require an increase in dues.  They intend to keep their budget very tight.  So far, legal fees on the power negotiations have reached $400,000 at $495. per hour.

  1. Retirement plan

Solem reported that after reviewing approximately five funds as potential investment vehicles for the Employee Pension Fund, he and Cindy Cherry have chosen John Hancock Funds.  Employee enrollment for the new funds will be August 19, 2005 and the transfer will be complete in October.

a.      Resolution

Ed Bair made a motion to adopt a Resolution, amending the Pension Plan.  The motion was seconded and passed.

  1. Worker’s Comp

Solem reported that Special Districts Association of Oregon has requested a modified job description for an injured employee who is off on a time loss workers comp claim.  Special Districts Association wants the employee to return to work on light duty.

  1. Backhoe/Copier

Solem reported that the new copy machine has been delivered and has all the bells and whistles.  The new backhoe should be delivered next week.

  1. Bids next month

Solem may have bids ready for materials needed to install pipe provided by the BOR, lumber and turnout gates and materials needed for winter maintenance, ready for the September board meeting.

  1. Other

The board discussed a number of proposed subdivisions throughout the District, some generated by Measure #37.  One was the Dehlinger family proposal for 135 one-acre lots on land above Hill Road .  The family wants the county to keep the Ag exemption on the lots until they are sold.

 

KID Board Meeting September 8, 2005

 

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