REGULAR BOARD MEETING
July 8, 2008, 10:00 A.M.
TUMALO IRRIGATION DISTRICT
64697 COOK AVENUE
BEND, OREGON 97701
BOARD: Bill Martin, Bob Morrow, Steve Putnam, Patricia Gainsforth, Ron Cochran
STAFF: Elmer McDaniels, Cyndi Presnell, Jan Wickham, Ken Rieck
ATTORNEY: Bill Hopp
GUESTS: Vice-Chairman Morrow called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. and appointed Cyndi Presnell scribe.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Putnam moved to amend the minutes of the June 10, 2008 Regular Board Meeting under the heading Tumalo Feed Canal Fish Ladders, in the first sentence, omit fish screens and replace with fish ladders. Director Putnam made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2008 Regular Board Meeting (as amended), the June 10, 2008 Executive Board Meeting seconded by Director Gainsforth, motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHER LIST
There was no voucher list to approve. The computers were down all week. No checks were printed. July payables will be listed on the August voucher list.
CRESCENT LAKE WATER REPORT
Crescent Lake currently has almost 65,000 acre feet according to Manager McDaniels. He said in the next two to three weeks the District will start taking water out of Crescent Lake.
TUMALO FEED CANAL FISH LADDERS
Manager McDaniels reported that he talked to Rick Craiger and he is having trouble getting in contact with Mike Lambert of ODFW. The goal is still to try and combine the $100,000.00 ODFW grant and the OWEB money to do the entire project at once.
HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN
The District HCP is being reviewed by Scott Carlon of NMFS. He is about one third of the way through it. There were no comments to report as of yet.
DRC GRANT MONEY
Manager McDaniels reported that the outstanding receivables on the Tumalo Feed Canal Phase I are approximately $58,000.00 and that will cover retainage for Weekly Bros. Construction.
COLBY MARSHALL
Colby Marshall of Congressman Greg Walden’s office was contacted by speakerphone to discuss the current Bill and the Crescent Lake Homeowners Association’s domestic water issue.
The Bill – Mr. Marshall said that Congressman Walden has weighed in heavily with the Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, Nick Rahall and the Chairman on the floor. He said the Bill has to get broke loose from the Committee and get to the House. Partisan politics is keeping the Bill from moving forward according to Mr. Marshall. It may be included in a larger package of Natural Resource bills. It is also possible that it may get lame duck approval.
Crescent Lake Homeowners - Crescent Lake homeowners have been using Crescent Lake water for many years without a water right. The Forest Service is requiring the cabin owners provide proof of water right, a well, or having water hauled to renew the leases at the lake. The cabin owners have contacted Congressman Walden’s office in an effort to find a way to get water. Mr. Marshall explained that Jon Gartland (President and Legal Council for the Crescent Lake Homeowners Association) offered a Liability Waiver to the District in exchange for the right to continue pumping out of the lake. Attorney Hopp said that the District cannot give a water right for domestic use because of violations to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Many suggestions were made as far as hauling water or drilling wells. Director Putnam suggested researching the railroad’s water right. Director Cochran asked Mr. Marshall why the Forest Service had not asked where the grey water and black water is going, due to possible pollution issues. Mr. Marshall asked if he could have Mr. Gartland contact Attorney Hopp. Attorney Hopp invited him to call and discuss the issue. Director Gainsforth asked if anyone had contacted USGS for information on well drilling. Attorney Hopp said the cabin owner’s continued use of Crescent Lake water is going to cause problems and suggested hauling water. Attorney Hopp stressed the point that the District cannot and will not be responsible for delivery of domestic water to these cabin owners.
Director Cochran suggested contacting the Water Resources Department to notify them that they needed to “regulate off” the cabin owners and also a cc to the Forest Service of our action.
DAVE NEWTON
Dave Newton of Newton Consulting presented the Board with information on using Tumalo Reservoir to recharge the aquifer for the benefit of Avion Water Company, the City of Redmond, and Deschutes Valley Water District (Opal Springs). Aquifer Recharge is essentially taking water (out of the Deschutes) in the winter, storing it and then allowing it to percolate into the aquifer. There is water available in the winter for storage purposes. A new storage right would be created. The water that recharges the aquifer can then be used as mitigation credits for ground water rights. Arnold Irrigation District may be another possibility for recharge. He provided a draft MOU to the Board and it will be made part of the minutes. Mr. Newton said it would put no burden of cost on the District or impede the District’s ability to conduct its normal operations.
OFFICE SIDING
Assistant Manager Ken Rieck reported that he contacted several construction companies and was still waiting on three companies for bids.
WATER TRANSFERS
Vice-Chairman Morrow made a motion to approve the following water transfers seconded by Director Gainsforth, motion carried unanimously.
N08.006 Dublin to Kraft 5 Acres
N08.007 O’banion to McElwee 1 Acres
N08.008 Beck to Brown / Voss 5.40 Acres
N08.009 Souther to self 1.88 Acres
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next Regular Board Meeting will be Tuesday, August 12, 2008, at 10:00 A.M., at the District Office.
ADJOURNMENT
Director Putnam made a motion that the Regular Board Meeting be adjourned at 11:40 A.M., seconded by Director Cochran, motion carried unanimously.