Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLittle Butte/Bear Creek Project i~le ~e Bear 'Creek  ~)~. 1340 Meyers Lane LB/BC-WMP ~/nabs*ct F,~j~ Medford, OR 97501 Little Butte/Bear Creek Water Management Project Project Description Recent events throughout the state, including the Klamath Basin, have added to the urgency for developing a system for improving water management here in the Rogue River Basin. The Little Butte/Bear Creek Water Management Project (LB/BC-LMP) is a collaborative effort to improve the health of the Little Butte Creek and Bear Creek systems and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the three local irrigation districts: Medford Irrigation District (MID), Talent Irrigation District (TID) and Rogue River Valley Irrigation District (RRVID). The LB/BC- WMP Steering Committee, a group of concerned citizens, stakeholders, local organizations, and state and federal agencies, is continuing to work towards accomplishing its stated goals through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in the region. Project Objectives: 1. Stream flows and water quality in both Bear Creek and Little Butte Creek will be increased during the irrigation season. 2. The delivery effectiveness and efficiency of the irrigation districts will be improved by piping and/or lining the irrigation canal system, increasing the storage capacity of selected local reservoirs and the use of reclaimed water for irrigation purposes. 3. The habitat for the native anadromous salmonids will be improved while at the same time improving the quality of life for local residents and helping sustain the agricultural community in the Bear Creek and Little Butte Creek watersheds. 4. The irrigation districts will continue operating with no undue financial burden. The LB/BC-WMP will include the use of a combination of strategies including; piping and lining canals, increasing the storage capacity of selected reservoirs, and installation of a pumping station that will provide access to water from both the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility and water stored in Lost Creek Reservoir that has been allocated for agricultural uses. Through the improved efficiency of water delivery, reuse of reclaimed water and access to new water supplies, more water will be available for management for irrigation and instream purposes. Implementation of the LB/BC-WMP will significantly improve the habitat for the native anadromous salmonids while at the same time improving the quality of life for local residents and strengthening the agricultural resources here in the Bear Creek and Little Butte Creek watersheds. CITY OF SHLAND Council Memo Subject: Support for the Little Butte / Bear Creek Water Management Project Dept- Public Works Department Date: December 17, 2002 Submitted By: Paula Brown ~ Approved By: Brian Almqul/s~/- '~ Synopsis: In August 2001, Council provided their support for the Irrigation Point of Diversion (IPOD) Project in their quest for federal funding. The project was designed to help irrigation systems, improve water quality and improve stream flows. An update was brought to the Council last month on the progress to date. This item formally supports the project by adding Ashland as a signatory to the attached Memorandum of Understanding. Recommendation: Staff has been involved with this project on the periphery and continues to support the project goals. Staff recommends Council authorize the City's signature of support on the attached Memorandum of Support. The formal signature sheet will be provided separately. Fiscal Impact: There is no direct impact for the City. The project is looking for federal financial support through Congress to assess project feasibility and provide funding for some of the project goals. Should funds be available, their impact will have a net positive affect on the City of Ashland for water quality benefits. Background: Three years ago an effort began to coordinate environmental and water quality issues with the irrigation districts. Beginning with the Little Butte Creek basin, the Medford Water Commission, the Medford Regional Water Reclamation District and the Medford Irrigation District. The goal was to look at improving water quality and irrigation water quality in the Little Butte Creek area. This project has grown to include the Bear Creek basin and now includes Talent Irrigation District and Rogue River Irrigation District along with other interested parities. The project has been renamed the Little Butte Creek / Bear Creek Water Management Project (LB/BC-WMP). The goals remain the same; improve the effectiveness and efficiency without undue financial burden on the irrigation districts; and improve stream flows and water quality in both Little Butte and Bear Creek basins. Attached is a more detailed project description. One of the efforts it to look at the irrigation flows and how those flows can leave more water in the streams. Discussions include piping irrigation canal reaches, increase water storage capacity in the reservoirs feeding the irrigation districts (Agate Lake and Howard Prairie) and the use of reclaimed effluent to supplement irrigation flows. Ashland has discussed all three of these issues with the Talent Irrigation District and could benefit from the outcomes of the LB/BC-WMP. Of primary interest is the use of reclaimed effluent for irrigation and as a means to resolve the temperature concerns for discharge to the creek. CC IPOD Support 17Dec02.doc Page 1 o fl L~$1 C~ ~ 1340 Meyers Lane LB/BC-WMP W~r I,tan~ I"~:~ Medford, OR 97501 Little Butte ear Creek Water Management Project Memorandum of Support Purpose The purpose of this Memorandum of Support is to provide a coordinated process for work on the Little Butte/Bear Creek Water Management Project (LB/BC-WMP) to improve stream flow and water quality in the Little Butte Creek and Bear Creek systems and provide a water delivery system, including augmentation of water supplies through the use of reclaimed effluent and enhanced reservoir capacity, that is both acceptable and economically feasible to the affected Irrigation Districts; Medford Irrigation District, Talent Irrigation District, and Rogue River Valley Irrigation District. A group of concerned citizens, stakeholders, local organizations, and state and federal agencies known as the Little Butte/Bear Creek Water Management Project Steering Committee (Steering Committee) has been meeting to develop and implement the LB/BC-WMP. The Steering Committee will: · Continue to develop alternatives to meet the objectives of the LB/BC-WMP. · Instigate the process needed to begin a full scale Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement as needed for the Project. · Coordinate all efforts with the Bureau of Reclamation, which will be the agency to implement the final project. · Continue to develop strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the LB/BC- WMP. · Develop and coordinate involvement and buy-in by all involved and affected parties in the project. The undersigned support the attached LB/BC-WMP Project Description. Further, the Undersigned support and endorse the continuing efforts being made by the Steering Committee to improve stream flows and water quality in the Little Butte and Bear Creek Basins while protecting and strengthening the local irrigation districts through a reasonable, long-term, cost effective approach to meeting requirements of the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act as well as needs of the local population here in Southern Oregon.