In this Edition

• Water Year 2025 Outlook
• Changes to K.I.D. Water Management Policy
• Federal Law Changes
• Upcoming Events
• Suggested Reading
• Opportunities

Water Year 2025 Outlook

In this video, Pete Parson's team provides an analysis of similar years and predicts volatile weather likely in January, with reduced confidence in February and March forecasts. This 3 month period may be cooler and a little wetter than normal.

On December 26, Senator Ron Wyden moved the U.S. Senate to approve House Resolution 7938, introduced by Congressman Bentz. This legislation partially fulfills financial and regulatory commitments made by the U.S. government and tribal partners to Klamath Project irrigators a decade ago. We are now awaiting the president's signature before the change in administration.

How Does This Legislation Affect Klamath Reclamation Project Farmers?

Currently, farmers are charged by Reclamation for 100% of the operation and maintenance costs of the Link River Dam, including modernization expenses. Additionally, Reclamation is running shadow books for the Keno Dam, which further increases Klamath Irrigation District (KID) farmers' debt to the U.S. government. Reclamation also passes on costs associated with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to farmers on shadow books while simultaneously withholding title to infrastructure that the farmers fully funded in 1967, before the ESA was enacted,due to unpaid ESA costs levied directly to the KID farmer, and not the Nation.

The Klamath Water Users Association reports that, under this new legislation, federal agencies will no longer be allowed to pass the costs of operating or maintaining Link River and Keno Dams onto farmers. These dams were originally built and operated by PacifiCorp, which also managed four hydroelectric plants on the Klamath River.

In addition, the legislation ensures that Reclamation will reimburse the Tulelake Irrigation District (TID) for part of the costs to operate the D-Plant pumping station, which moves water between the Tule Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges—an expense currently borne by TID. Since PacifiCorp failed to renew its investment in Klamath agriculture communities in 2006, electricity costs for operating these pumping plants have increased by over 4000%, severely affecting the ability to efficiently move water across the basin.

Unfortunate Removal of Key Provisions from the Bill – A Costly Setback for KID Patrons

To get the legislation passed, some provisions specific to KID were removed from a more comprehensive version of the bill. KID and the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) had requested that Congress direct Reclamation to use its existing authority for extraordinary maintenance to cover part of the cost of the 2016-2019 emergency replacement of the C-Flume with the C-Siphon. This nearly $10 million project, a Category I mandate for KID by the federal government, would have allowed the federal government to absorb 35% of the cost it inflicted on KID patrons and the significant divisions the C-Siphon project created between KID and Reclamation. Unfortunately, this provision was removed by Congress staff to finalize the legislation.

KWUA and KID have been advocating for this legislation for nearly 10 years. While we are pleased to see bipartisan support bringing it to law, we regret the loss of these important provisions.

The following message was sent out by Oregon Representative Ken Helm, on behalf of the Oregon Water Caucus. You are encouraged to complete the survey but if you do not feel comfortable sharing project details, or have problems with the online survey, please contact OWRC Executive Director April Snell (aprils@owrc.org) and she will compile project information and submit via email. It would also be helpful to let her know if you have completed the survey and share the same information with her so she can continue to effectively advocate for district funding.

*The deadline to submit water investment needs via a survey has been extended to January 15.*

The Water Caucus is asking Oregonians to submit their current and future water investment needs via a statewide survey to help inform budget requests and strategic planning. In the time since the Statewide Integrated Water Resources Strategy was initially adopted in 2012, the state has been incrementally increasing its attention to critical water priorities, but the Legislature does not have a comprehensive inventory of water investments needs. In an effort to fill that gap, the Water Caucus invites water managers, users, stewards, advocates and members of the public to submit water investment needs by January 15 via a statewide survey: https://bit.ly/2024waterinvestmentsurvey. By doing so, Oregonians can help the Water Caucus understand investment-ready water projects. In addition to physical projects, water investment needs can include data, planning, and other needs that benefit the environment, communities, and economy. The survey is for informational and planning purposes only and does not guarantee funding or replace other legislative processes. View the dashboard at: https://bit.ly/2024waterinvestmentdashboard. 

Please forward this email along to your networks. Sign-up to receive updates on our website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/helm/Pages/Water-Caucus.aspx. Click here to view the press release.

OWRC Board Meeting

January 23 in Salem, OR (and virtually)

More information to come

RSVP to the OWRC office

Dunn Carney 2025 Ag Summit - Free

January 24 in Salem, Oregon

Registration Available

Tri-State Meeting

January 31 in Boise, ID

RSVP to the OWRC Office by January 24

SDAO Annual Conference

February 6-9 in Bend, OR

Registration Available

Admin Assistant at Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center

Tumalo Irrigation District – Ditch Rider

Distributes irrigation water to the users of the District’s water rights within their assigned area in accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes, Oregon Administrative Rules, District Policies and Procedures and District management direction using information based upon decrees, partial decrees, permits, licenses and transfers. The Ditch Rider encounters and must communicate with District patrons daily. The District places tremendous value on strong relationships and timely, respectful communication with its water users. The employee works under the supervision of the District Manager and/or Field Supervisor during Irrigation Season and Maintenance Season.

Starting Wage: $23.00 to $26.00 DOE

Benefits (after 6-month probationary period): Health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), District contribution to Retirement plan, 8 paid holidays/year, 5-15 days paid vacation/year (based on tenure), 10 days paid sick leave/year, District vehicle.

Location: Bend, OR

Mandatory Job Requirements:

·    High school diploma or GED.

·    At least 2 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

·    2 years’ experience working in the construction trades or in an irrigation setting

·    Valid Oregon Class A driver’s license or ability to obtain one, with clean, safe driving record.

Special Job Requirements:

·    Employee must live within (30) minutes of District facilities (Bend, OR).

·    Employee required to take off-hours emergency call-outs (including weekends) one week per month.

·    Maintain CPR/AED and Standard First Aid certifications as applicable.

This full-time position is being advertised December 2024 until filled. Applications and resume should be submitted to the District office at staff@tumalo.org To view full job announcement visit our website at: https://www.tumalo.org/employment

https://www.owrc.org/resources/job-opportunities

North Unit Irrigation District – Assistant General Manager

North Unit Irrigation District (NUID) is based in Madras, in beautiful Central Oregon.

NUID has served the agricultural water needs of the community since 1945, although the district was formed and given water rights in 1913! We provide agricultural water and today we remain the largest supplier of irrigation water in Central Oregon.

NUID maintains approximately 300 miles of lined, piped, and open ditch water delivery systems to service 900 active accounts over 58,880 acres. In addition, NUID operates and maintains 2 reservoirs totaling 205,600 acre -feet and 1 pumping facility with a pumping capacity of 200 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Compensation

·    Annual salary range of $70,000 to $90,000 depending on experience, full-time, exempt

·    Medical, dental, vision insurance for employee and dependents 100% employer paid

·    Short term disability and life insurance coverage, employer paid

·    Employer funded Health Reimbursement Account

·    401(k) Employer match of 5.75% with employee contribution of 3%

·    Paid vacation, sick leave, 8 holidays, 80 hours of comp time

·    District vehicle, phone, and possibility of district housing

Definition

Under the supervision and direction of the District General Manager, the Assistant General Manager assists the General Manager in planning, organizing, and supervising the district's operations and functions; assists with implementing Board policies and programs; assists with budget development and review; and acts on behalf of the General Manager in that person’s absence.

Desirable Qualifications

• Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the necessary knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Agriculture, Business Administration, or Construction Management is desired.

• Experience: Five years experience, with two years in a management or supervisory capacity, in a public agency requiring the responsibility for the implementation of programs and development and administration of budgets.

License/Certificate/Registration/Requirement

• Possession of a valid Oregon Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain such required license(s) may be cause for disciplinary action.

• Possession and proof of a good driving record as evidenced by freedom from multiple or serious traffic violations or accidents for at least two (2) years. The driving record may not contribute to an increase in the District's automobile rates.

Other Requirements

The Assistant General Manager position may require living in housing provided by the District. The position will also require extended and “on-call” hours during the irrigation season.

Submit your resume and cover letter to nuid@northunitid.com Feel free to tell us about your experiences and why you are interested in this position.

Job description and other related information

https://www.owrc.org/resources/job-opportunities

Klamath Water Users Association - Director of Communications

KWUA seeks a self-motivated, highly productive individual as the Director of Communications to lead marketing and public affairs effort of an established organization that serves the interests of member irrigation districts and their constituents on natural resources issues, with emphasis on water resources and power costs. This is a unique opportunity to join an organization that is at the forefront of precedent-setting issues.

This is a high energy and demanding job. It will also be rewarding for the right candidate. The ideal candidate must have high level communication skills, be collaborative, and an independent worker who works with little direction and produces timely and impactful work.

The ideal candidate must have the high level of expertise needed to successfully facilitate outcomes on short-, medium -, and long-range goals and implement the vision of the organization. The candidate must be effective in a variety of venues and possess the organizational and technical proficiency needed to develop and maintain the relations and understanding between KWUA and the public.

Interested candidates may apply via email, mail, or delivery of a cover letter and resume to: Chelsea Shearer, chelsea@kwua.org, or 2312 S. Sixth St., Suite A, Klamath Falls, OR 97601.

Full job description available here

https://www.owrc.org/resources/job-opportunities

The Dalles Irrigation District – Office Manager

Pay Range: $26-$30/Hour DOE Non-Exempt

Application deadline: until filled

The Office Manager serves as the secretary, administrator, and human resource assistant under direction of the District Manager. This position will require the incumbent to effectively communicate daily activity to the District Manager and carry out assignments with specific deadlines to completion with minimal supervision.

A job description and application are available. To be considered as a candidate, please submit a completed and signed application, resume and cover letter describing why you are interested in the position and how your experience translates to meet the requirements of the position description.

Submit by email or postal service to:

tdid@gorge.net

Weslee Cyphers, District Manager

The Dalles Irrigation District

3503 Olney Rd.

The Dalles, OR 97058

https://www.owrc.org/resources/job-opportunities