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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2007)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner. Oregon Wednesday, November 21,2007 - THREE $340,000 in total income, and supported 17 jobs in the continued from page one water rights run out during local community surround new proposal. the year. He also said most ing the lake.” The report did The Corps, through send comments is posted on irrigators shut off the water not directly estimate dollar the Bureau o f Reclamation, the heppner.net web site. to harvest hay and alfalfa in losses o f recreational in Follow ing a Nov. 7 has contracted extra irriga late summer and would not come as a result of less water article in the Heppner Ga tion water over the past three zette-Times, one member o f years under special drought use the allocated amount in the lake. Thompson says the the new Willow Creek Water declarations. Thom pson during that time period. Thompson also dis number of visitors will not be said in 2006 the Bureau District which is requesting puted the amount o f visi effected saying the number the irrigation water, talked con tracted 1559.72 acre tors to the lake cited in of visitors has not dropped feet o f water and sold, or to the Gazette. Brian Thom pson, the irrigators actually used, the environm ental impact dramatically over the past who raises hay along Wil 1,128.82 acre feet. In 2007 statem ent. He especially three years during drought low Creek between Heppner 2,474.80 was contracted and pointed out the estimated draw down, proving that a and Lexington, said much of 1,182.42 was actually used. 42,686 to 47,657 visitors permanent extra release will the comments he has heard “ It's not going to change during April through June not hurt recreation. Thompson also said on the negative impact on much from the past three 2006 and 2007. “That would be 500 per day. 1 drive by that the estimated loses to years," Thompson said. recreation at the lake are there everyday and there is alfalfa crops cited in the Under the proposed unfounded, and some of the no way there is that many en v iro n m en tal rep o rted , information in the environ long-term agreem ent the mental impact statement is Corps would be authorized people there," Thompson were underestimated, as the to release up to 2,500 acre said. The environm ental report placed alfalfa values incorrect. T h o m p so n say s feet, an amount T hompson report said these visitors “re at $90 to $100 per ton, there will be little differ says would most likely not sulted in $600,000 in visitor when it was closer to $150 ence between the amount be used, and he gave several spending within 30 miles of Thompson said. The e n v iro n m e n of water in the lake for the reasons. One is that irriga the lake. Visitor trip spend ing was estimated to result tors do not need to buy w ater tal impact statem ent was past three years and what in $650,000 in total sales, prepared for the Corps by from the lake until their legal would be there under the a consultant hired by the Willow Creek Water Dis trict, o f which Thompson is a member. He said the district, which is made up of eight irrigators up and down Willow Creek, has spent about $45,000 so far on the project. In the past three years there have been six irrigators using the drought released water, but there may be up to eight in the future. He pointed out that the report cited tw o d i version points on Willow Jim and Monica Swanson look Thierry and Ce Creek, but there could be leste for a dav in the snow. L. M a up to eight diversion points he said. Students at lone School listen The irrigators will attentively as Thierry and pay for the water, however Celeste talk about their trip the price will be higher that around the world. the past three years. Accord ing to Ron Eggers o f the Portland Bureau o f Recla mation irrigators paid $8 per acre feet the past three years; however that will be raised to a minimum o f $35 per acre feet. Eggers said the $35 price is base on operating Celeste and Thierry in front of and m aintenance (O&M) the Taj Mahal. expenses o f the dam, and then passed on to irrigators. “ We d id n 't do a review' o f ()&M (w hen drought releases began),” Eggers said o f the lower $8 price. He said the O&M expenses have since been reviewed and increased. Eggers said that an additional construction fee Celeste and Thierry on one of could be added to the $35 their many stops around the acre feet price. The dam world. cost $6.9 million to build Thierry and Celeste took the time to ride an elephant. -Continuedfrom Page one in 1983, and to recover that about touring the world, and leave on Friday and con cost up to an additional $50 in December o f 2006 made son’s home through Friday, tinue on to Mexico. From per acre feet could be added the decision to do so. The November 23. On Monday, there they plan to travel by to the $35. However, Eggers couple quit their jobs and November 19, Thierry and land to Panama and sev said an ability to pay factor, began the long process of re Celeste spoke to students eral other countries in South based on the farming profit taining appropriate visas and at lone School about their Am erica. Their tour will o f the irrigators could lower vaccinations. And finally, in travels. They put together a end in Celeste's homeland that amount. slideshow and talked exten March of 2007, began their of Brazil. The contracts to the sively about their travels and yearlong tour o f the world. T he c o u p le a lso irrigators would most likely They have traveled to 11 experiences. The students mentioned that during their be 25 to 40 years, he said, were especially intrigued by countries so far. travels they ran into another and although the price will In N o v em b er the the videos that were taken in world traveling couple from be set in the contract, there many of the countries, espe two finally arrived in lone, Bend. For more information may be provisions for price cially one with the couple happily greeted by Thierry's about their travels, you can review, lie said there would riding elephants. “ A m erican Fam ily." The log on to their website at not be a minimum amount T h e c o u p le w ill two will be at the Swan- www.avolta.fr. irrigators would be required to purchase. The long-term ir rigation proposal has caused It s fiope and more... iMore than traditionaf heaithcare - gy It s providing sofutions fo r difficult times X quite a bit o f discussion in Heppner on the negative fig when hope is in question, fg im pact there may be on j K It's 6eing ciose in a time o f fear, fk recreation at the dam. and i t ’s a friend with time to share, & the subsequent economic im pact on businesses in (j& I t ’s laughter in the midst of tears. Heppner. It s dignity... The report addressed It s humanity... the physical recreation im It's what we do. pact on the lake o f selling more irrigation water on a long-term basis. “ Water- based recreation uses o f W'illow Creek Lake would be affected by the proposed action. The lake would be draw n dow n e arlier and farther than under typical jç Cor information about Hospice call the agency office 676-29-16 or (800) 737-4113 operations. The early, lower draw dow n would reduce the lake area available for More time for comment on lake irrigation proposal Former exchange student returns 12 years later for visit mg, ./ T f £ & ? recreational boating use. of these inputs are purchased However, the usability o f locally. The additional water the boat launching facility w ill make it possible for farm at the project should not be ers to grow higher dollar crops affected," the impact state such as mint, garlic, potatoes, ment said. "In addition to onions, watermelon, grapes the decreased surface area, and orchard crops. These types the drawdown for irriga of crops w ill require a much tion would expose muddy higher level of inputs resulting slopes and banks that are in significant economic gains aesthetically unappealing for local businesses. Beneficial use of the W a and restrict access to the shoreline of the lake. Also, ter- Prior to releasing w ater for some economic losses in irrigation, the Corps of Engi the local area would occur neers would store the water for because o f the reduction in the entire summer and release water-based recreation use. it into Willow Creek October Sport fishing opportunities 1 annually, draining the res may be decreased as the ervoir to low pool level for population o f largemouth flood control. These releases bass and finger!ing rainbow typically would take place trout could be reduced or over a one to two week period eliminated by the proposed and serve of no benefit to any irrigation drawdown. How one. In a normal year. Willow ever,” the Corps concluded, Creek runs dry for nearly two “ODFW (Oregon Dept. Fish months, killing most ofthe life & Wildlife) restocks catch- in the stream. By releasing the able tout in the lake on an water over the late summer annual basis, which will we now have constant stream help alleviate some of the flow s that reach 20 to 30 miles effects to the recreational down stream. Because of Blue fishery.” Green Algae blooms in recent The Corps did not years the reserv oir has become attach a dollar amount to the essentially unusable during potential loss o f recreation the summer months for fish ing, swimming or any activ ity usage at the lake. In response to the ongoing that involves contact with the discussion, Thompson, as an water. Aesthetics- By making irrigator and member o f the irrigation board, released the irrigation water available, the Willow Creek Valley will re following statement: Ground water preserva main green well into the fall. tion- In the Willow Creek Val We believe that this directly ley, many well owners (both influences the aesthetics o f the domestic and irrigation) have area and makes South Morrow noticed decreased ground County a desirable place to water levels in their wells. live, work, visit and invest, the By making the stored surface statement concluded. The Corps of Engineers water available to irrigators many have been able to turn had said earlier there would not off their w ells and replace the be a public meeting in Hepp water with supplemental sur ner on the proposal, howev er, face w ater from the reservoir. this week said there may be a Ground water preservation meeting if new information will only become more im is presented. A Corps com portant as more users move mittee is meeting November 29 to decide if a meeting w ill into the area. Revenue- Irrigators are be held here. Meanwhile the the only users o f the reser C orps w ill be accep tin g voir that pay a fee for the use public comment on the irri o f the water. Flood control, gation release proposal until recreation, fish and wildlife December 15 and anyone pay no direct fees for the use w ishing to comment should of the water. Irrigators have contact Carolyn Schneider been paying $8 per acre foot at; of water release over the past 3 C a ro ly n .B .S c h n e id e r@ years. The proposed fee for the usace.army.mil email, 503- long term contract water is $30 808-4770, or regular mail to $33 per acre foot. (Editor at District Engineer, U.S. Note: Bureau o f Reclamation Army C orps o f Engineer says a minimum o f $35 will be D istrict, P ortland. A ttn: CCENWP-E/Carolyn Sch charged) Direct Economic Benetits- neider, PO Box 2946, Port Water flows in Willow Creek land, OR 97208-2946. Mailed comments should typically become too low for ir rigation in early July; the water be postmarked by December from the reservoir is stored in 15. A link to the complete the spring and released to the irrigators throughout the late copy o f the env ironmental summer. This supplemental assessment is available at water allows for irrigators www.heppner.net. to continue growing crops throughout the grow ing sea son. The additional crops grown require significant in creases in inputs. These inputs include fertilizers, sprays, labor, electricity, freight and Heppner Gazette fuel to name a few. The bulk MAGNETIC 1)0011 SIGNS Affordable l Family Eyewear Top Quality Products at Great Prices * It must be Cove... It's called hospice. I November is Nationaf Hospice Nantit Morrow County die a ft ft (District extends its Tfian^s to our Hospice Staff and‘Volunteers I SAME DAY SERVICE (Please have your prescription with you) Mon - Fri 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 1045 N 1st (Hwy 395) • Hermiston • 567-3790 Beside the Nickel W ant Ads
