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
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